Vontaze

Burfict

It’s a misdemeanor charge for Burfict, who has a hearing set for next week. Burfict has been out of the league since getting suspended for the remainder of 2019 following a Week 4 hit on Colts TE Jack Doyle. The off-field arrest won’t help the 30-year-old’s chances of getting back in the NFL.

Burfict is an unrestricted free agent and has reportedly been working out at Arizona State. He’s apparently spent the entire offseason, “watching tape, talking to coaches, league executives, other experts about the proper code of conduct to stay in the league.” The veteran LB was suspended for the final 12 games of the 2019 season following a vicious helmet-to-helmet hit on Colts TE Jack Doyle. Of course, this was hardly Burfict’s first mistake. The long-time Bengals LB was suspended three games in 2016 for violating player safety rules, five games in 2017 for an egregious hit in the preseason, and four games in 2018 for use of a banned substance. Burfict will turn 30 in September.

Now officially out for the entire season, the question becomes whether or not Burfict plays in the NFL again. It’s only right the league held their ground (for a change) as Burfict has been given countless chances to clean up his act but remains one of the dirtiest and immoral players any time he’s stepped on the field. He’ll remain at home even in the off-chance the Raiders sneak into the postseason.

Released by the Bengals on Monday, Burfict drawing interest from the Raiders was a foregone conclusion, especially since former DC Paul Guenther now runs the defense in Oakland. Linebacker is a need for the Raiders, but Burfict has not played more than 11 games in a season since 2013. He is not reliable enough to count on as a sure-fire fix, but Burfict would be a solid flier in the hopes the 28-year-old can stay on the field.

With Doyle defenseless over the middle of the field, Burfict blatantly led with his helmet into Doyle’s head. Frankly, it should be Burfict’s final down of NFL football. His presence on the field is an ongoing safety hazard. He’s had enough second chances.

Burfict delivered a vicious helmet-to-helmet hit on the Colts tight end, prompting his immediate ejection. This is nothing new for the eighth-year linebacker, who has made a career out of head-hunting. Per Rapoport, a punishment could be handed down as soon as Monday. Don’t expect to see Burfict in uniform next week against Chicago.

While the hit itself may not have been worthy of a season-long suspension, Burfict is a repeat offender who continues to show zero regard for the safety of others. He’s been given countless chances to turn over a new leaf but can’t seem to play any other way. Burfict will assuredly appeal his suspension, which would be the longest for an on-field act in NFL history, surpassing the five-game ban Albert Haynesworth received for stomping on Andre Gurode’s head in 2006. At this point in his career, Burfict’s baggage far outweighs whatever value he brings to the field.

Burfict’s suspension will cover the remainder of Oakland’s 2019 slate including the postseason, should the Raiders advance that far. His ban stems from an illegal hit on Jack Doyle in Sunday’s win over Indianapolis. “Following each of your previous rule violations, you were warned by me and each of the jointly-appointed appeal officers that future violations would result in escalated accountability measures,” NFL VP of Football Operations Jon Runyan explained in his letter to Burfict. “However, you have continued to flagrantly abuse rules designated to protect yourself and your opponents from unnecessary risk.” Burfict’s vicious hit on Doyle was just the latest in a career marred by countless cheap shots on defenseless opponents. The linebacker’s agent, Lamont Smith, confirms he’ll appeal the NFL’s ruling, though Burfict’s litany of past transgressions obviously won’t help his cause.

Burfict is officially questionable to return. The absence of the defense’s play-caller is problematic in the Raiders’ ongoing quest to slow down Dalvin Cook and company.

Bufict was sidelined for about a quarter, but he’s back on the field for the Raiders in their Week 3 matchup against the Vikings.