How good is Brian Burns?
Very.
The answer is very.
Brian Burns has everything one looks for in a pass-rusher at the next level. He is strong, explosive beyond measure, and is developing the sort of nous for making big plays that are going to serve him well in his bid to become the best in the business.
In truth, he is halfway there already.
Burns has eight sacks, 56 tackles, three passes defended, three forced fumbles, seven tackles for loss, 20 quarterback hits, and 32 pressures so far this season. This represents an exceptional leap in all-around production from a player who was used as a pass-rushing specialist and even a gunner on special teams by former head coach Ron Rivera last season.
The second-year-pro looks well on course for his first-ever Pro Bowl appearance after leading the first two rounds of voting. This would be deserved recognition not only for his production on the field but also for his desire to step up and become a leader on defense after the Carolina Panthers parted ways with plenty of veteran players during the offseason.
The sky is the limit for Burns, it’s as simple as that.
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For all general manager Marty Hurney’s faults – and there have been many – he struck gold with Burns and the Panthers are fortunate to have him.