Oakland Raiders linebacker Vontaze Burfict has been suspended for the remainder of the 2019 season. Here is an analysis of how this impacts the Raiders.
Just when we thought things couldn’t get any worse for theOakland Raiderslinebacker core, middle linebackerVontaze Burficthas reportedly been suspended for the remainder of the 2019 season.
This suspension, first reported byNFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, comes on the heels of a hit on Indianapolis Colts tight endJack Doylein the team’s Week 4 victory on Sunday. Burfict was flagged on the play and ejected from the game for what certainly looked like an unnecessary hit.
Burfict’s absence will have a significant effect on a Raiders defense that was already incredibly thin at the linebacker position. But before we jump into that, let’s talk about the suspension a little bit.
The Raiders knew of Burfict’s history when they signed him this offseason. The former Cincinnati Bengals enforcer had garnered a reputation as one of the dirtiest, no-nonsense players in the NFL after multiple prior fines and suspensions.
However, Burfict and the Raiders claimed that a new leaf had been turned over this season. He was even trusted with a captain role and assigned as the play-caller on defense.
Now, just four weeks into the season, Burfict has already made the Raiders looks silly.
The hit itself was unnecessary, there’s little arguing that. People could claim bias and compare it to other hits. They could complain about the NFL’s inconsistencies with suspensions.
But at the end of the day, Burfict deserved to be ejected and suspended for the hit. Did it warrant a season-long suspension? No probably not by itself. But his reputation speaks for itself and it must be taken into consideration when handing out punishments.
Unfortunately, his past finally caught up to him.
As for the Raiders, this is a massive blow to a defensive unit that had shown considerable growth at points this season. And withMarquel Leealready done for the season with an ankle injury, the Raiders are very thin at linebacker.
Expect the Raiders to slideTahir Whiteheadover to the MIKE position with Burfict out as the former Detroit Lions linebacker filled that role on Sunday following Burfict’s ejection.
More fromGolden Gate Sports
- Raiders: Rookie stock report following Week 3 performance
- 49ers sign new long snapper amidst a flurry of roster moves
- Oakland Athletics win Game 2 of Wild Card round with late-inning drama
- 49ers: George Kittle and Deebo Samuel cleared to return to practice
- 49ers expected to place DE Dee Ford on injured reserve
Whitehead served as the team’s MIKE linebacker and defensive play-caller last season, but Burfict’s knowledge of not only the game of football but defensive coordinator Paul Gunther’s system is not something that could be replicated.
As for the remainder of the linebacking core,Nicholas Morrowshould continue to see time as a starter while the third linebacker position is completely up in the air.
Core special-teamerKyle Wilber— once he returns from injury — and rookiesDakota AllenandJustin Phillips— neither of which have been on the active roster for a week yet — are the only other linebackers on the roster right now.
The Raiders could turn to external options to beef up their defense with veteran names such asManti Te’oandMason Fosterstill on the market. They could even look to bring back linebackerJason Cabindawho spent time with the team last season after signing as an undrafted rookie out of Penn State.
More from Las Vegas Raiders News
- Raiders: Rookie stock report following Week 3 performance
- Raiders: Bryan Edwards out, Henry Ruggs doubtful for Sunday
- Raiders: Damon Arnette re-injures thumb, could be headed to IR
- Raiders fall short in letdown Week 3 loss to the New England Patriots
- Raiders: Game breakdown and prediction for Week 3 at New England Patriots
Cabinda is currently signed to the Detroit Lions practice squad but could be signed to the Raiders active roster if they choose to do so. Given his experience with the system, he seems like an obvious choice.
Also still available isBrandon Marshallwho spent the preseason with the Raiders before being released as a part of final roster cuts. His veteran presence could be intriguing but he fits better as a weak-side linebacker than a true middle linebacker.
Either way, it will be difficult to match Burfict’s impact on defense. But that’s the price the team will have to pay for gambling on a risky offseason acquisition.
After all, this isn’t the first offseason gamble gone wrong this year.
Add us as a preferred source onGoogleLoading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations