Rex Burkhead

[Don Wassall]

As with all White running backs, we'll have to hope that Rex becomes the beneficiary of lots of good luck in order to get any opportunities to be the feature back he deserves to be. As we noted when he was drafted, the Bengals took him to fill the "Brian Leonard role," not to have a chance to replace the mediocre Law Firm as the team's main running back. The writer below sees it the same way, and of course sees nothing wrong with that. Some of the comments below the article are pretty good, more evidence that awareness is growing of the unfair treatment White athletes receive.

Bengals Find Their Brian Leonard Replacement In Nebraska's Rex Burkhead

by John Kirkendall

When running back Brian Leonard signed a one-year contract worth $715,000 on April 1, the Cincinnati Bengals found themselves needing a replacement. Keep in mind that Leonard was a running back by name, but not so much description. Sure a few runs here and there, an impressive highlight leap over an unsuspecting defender mixed in the middle, Leonard's greatest contributions were mostly special teams and as a blocker in the backfield.

That specific need, "the Brian Leonard position" that easily describes the roles he managed, accelerated into capitulation after Cincinnati selected Nebraska running back Rex Burkhead in the sixth round. In four years with Nebraska and 30 touchdowns, Burkhead generated 3,332 yards rushing on 635 carries. During his junior season in 2011, he posted career-highs in yards rushing (1,357) with 15 rushing touchdowns. Additionally Burkhead's 507 yards receiving on 60 receptions (and five scores) suggests decent competency out of the backfield.

Let's call him the Leonard upgrade.

Burkhead's final game with Nebraska actually came against Shawn Williams' Georgia during the Capital One Bowl. Burkhead rushed for 140 yards and scored two touchdowns while Williams blocked a first quarter punt to score a safety. Georgia won 45-31.

So what are the Bengals getting with Burkhead?

"As a runner Burkhead is hard to bring down," writes SB Nation's well-known Nebraska website Cornnation. "He's rarely stopped at the point of contact and never stops fighting for yards. Running inside or outside the tackles is no problem. His vision and speed hitting the hole are his biggest strength. Burkhead is not one to dance around behind the line of scrimmage. If there is a hole, he hits it quickly, if there isn't one he then tries to run through whoever is in the way."

Unlikely to fight through BenJarvus Green-Ellis and second-round selection Bernard Giovani, Burkhead is destined for special teams alongside Cedric Peerman; though a competition battle with Dan Herron appears likely -- Burkhead will likely win. Burkhead was also the Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion in 2012, a non-profit organization designed to help promote awareness and raise funds for charities.

Burkhead missed several games last season while dealing with an MCL sprain, which didn't affect his NFL Combine results. He was one of the top performers in the vertical jump, three-cone drill, broad jump, 20-yard and 60-yard shuttle.

This kid can ball.

Let me amend one parting note. The Bengals didn't just find their Brian Leonard replacement. They've actually found his upgrade.

http://www.cincyjungle.com/2013/4/27/4276284/nfl-draft-2013-bengals-rex-burkhead

 

[white lightning]

Nice article Don. It's a crime that he wasn't picked until the 6th round just like Ryan Swope. While I'm not happy about the team he went to, he should be able to make some impact on offense. I think he is too good for the Bengals to not at least give him 5-8 runs or passes a game. That's my hope anyway but I believe that the more they play Rex, the more he will make them smile. His athletic ability is very good and there is nothing he can't do on a football field. I see him becoming a fan favorite in Ohio!

 

[jaxvid]

Nice article Don. It's a crime that he wasn't picked until the 6th round just like Ryan Swope. While I'm not happy about the team he went to, he should be able to make some impact on offense. I think he is too good for the Bengals to not at least give him 5-8 runs or passes a game. That's my hope anyway but I believe that the more they play Rex, the more he will make them smile. His athletic ability is very good and there is nothing he can't do on a football field. I see him becoming a fan favorite in Ohio!

You make a very good point. Burkhead staying in Big 10 territory is a plus for him. Lots of Ohio State fans saw him run, and run very well for the last few years. There is some familiarity with him running the ball. That will help. It's also not too far from where Hillis had success. Lots of the very good White football players in this country come from Ohio. Perhaps a few might start asking themselves when they are going to get a shot at playing in the NFL.

 

[dwid]

umm.. hes a better version of BenJarvus Green Ellis, they are the same size, Ellis has no homerun speed, and he isn't as explosive as Burkhead in his initial burst, he struggles in pass protection and receiving. Burkhead has more power, Lawfirm averaged 3.9 last year, 3.7 the year before that. His main strength was ball security, and he fumbled 3 times last year. Burkhead could be an everydown back, and you wouldn't have to worry about being predictable rotating backs in and out based on whether its a pass or run.

Can't believe Lawfirm is considered to be some top notch back. Hes had like 3 or 4 runs over 30 yards in close to 800 carries.

 

[Freethinker]

So I went to our "friends" at rotoworld to see how they would slander Rex Burkhead but was pleasantly surprised.

Bengals selected Nebraska RB Rex Burkhead with the No. 190 overall pick.
Burkhead (5-foot-10 1/4, 214) ran 4.73 at the Combine, but he's a better prospect than that. He's a quick short-area mover with agility and athleticism (39" vertical, 10-foot-5 broad jump). Straight-line long speed is probably the most overrated running back measurable, as evidenced by Alfred Morris' 4.72 forty. Burkhead rushed 635 times for 3,332 yards (5.25 YPC) and 30 touchdowns at Nebraska, adding 60 catches. Although he lacks explosive talent, Burkhead runs with superb vision and aggression, and can pick up a blitz. It's an excellent pick by the Bengals, who can transition away from BenJarvus Green-Ellis with rookies Gio Bernard and Burkhead. Apr 27 - 4:48 PM

Wow, one of their writers finally admitted what we've been saying for years, that straight line speed is overrated. If they are right in their analysis, Burkhead and Bernard could be a nice 1 2 punch or thunder and lightning combo. I was initially skeptical but Rex may have landed in one of the more desirable situations.

 

[Don Wassall]

But have the Bengals really changed their stripes? The owner loves black thugs more than any other owner in the league, and Marvin Lewis has squandered lots of White talent -- Shipley, Leonard, Whalen, several White safeties, etc. Burkhead has to have a lot of things break right for him, but that would be true no matter where he ended up. At least Bengals fans are used to having a White RB, and like jaxvid said many are familiar with him by watching him play at Nebraska. All in all it's a decent landing spot, and Bernard is small and probably not durable and just about everyone acknowledges that Green-Ellis isn't much of a feature back. Hope springs eternal.

 

[jaxvid]

But have the Bengals really changed their stripes? The owner loves black thugs more than any other owner in the league, and Marvin Lewis has squandered lots of White talent -- Shipley, Leonard, Whalen, several White safeties, etc. Burkhead has to have a lot of things break right for him, but that would be true no matter where he ended up. At least Bengals fans are used to having a White RB, and like jaxvid said many are familiar with him by watching him play at Nebraska. All in all it's a decent landing spot, and Bernard is small and probably not durable and just about everyone acknowledges that Green-Ellis isn't much of a feature back. Hope springs eternal.

I have to agree with you. Where else would be better? New England? They under utilized Woodhead for years. There really isn't a "good" team for a White running back. The best option is, as Don points out, getting lucky with the Hillis curse: having weak talent in front of you that gets injured or stinks it up. Cincy is as good a place as any.

And I guess you can forget the owner and the coach. None of them are any good in this department anyway so we have to keep our fingers crossed.

 

[Don Wassall]

Running back is the one position where rookies routinely play and often start. Does this announcement just two weeks after the draft of a likely racial apprenticeship for Rex surprise anyone?

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis indicated he envisions sixth-round RB Rex Burkhead as a special teamer during his first season. Lewis believes Burkhead can "uplift special teams while competing for a spot" in the backfield. We like Burkhead as a Dynasty sleeper, but he's got a tough path to playing time behind Giovani Bernard and BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Burkhead is likely competing for one or two spots with Cedric Peerman and Bernard Scott.

 

[dwid]

Ridiculous. We don't even know if Bernard can even play. He doesn't have blazing speed, he didn't have that many homeruns in his career, got caught quite a bit, of course many of the guys had angles, Burkhead gets criticized for getting caught when a defender has a great angle. Benjarvus Green Ellis isn't special and has declined, only one season of 1k averaging 4+ yard per carry. Hes wasn't the scoring threat last year like he was the past few seasons and his main strength was not losing the ball, which happened 3 times last year. He isn't a receiving threat, not really good at it and can't pass block very well. The fact that he will be "competing with Peerman and Scott" is even more ridiculous. When have those guys shown ANYTHING? They have been in the league since 2009. 4 years of playing time.

Marvin Lewis on Burkhead

“Just the quickness in line, the ability to stick his foot in the ground and go from Point A to Point B," he said of what he liked from Burkhead. "Just the things you saw from him on tape. His abilities as a receiver. I think he’ll be a guy also who will really uplift us on special teams and compete to be one of our core guys.”

on Giovani...and Eifert which is good news for Eifert.
. "I think it's evident that both Tyler and Giovani will be able to really help us offensively and have an opportunity to carve out roles and niches early on in their rookie seasons. "

Too bad there won't be a real competition. Teams have kept later draft picks and UDFAs over earlier draft picks. For runningback I know they let go of 4th round pick Antonio Pittman and kept UDFA Pierre Thomas the first season.

 

[lightning]

Truth on Burkhead

Truth about Rex Burkhead.

Stigma's such as these have followed him his entire career:

Power Back
Plodding
Lunch Pale carrying
Deceptive
Hard worker etc. etc.

Truth is:

He is a freak and top notch athlete with incredible football knowledge.

Lets compare him to the Bengals 2nd round and 1st RB pick of the 13 draft:

40 Yard Dash:
Gio 4.53 Ranked 8th
Rex: 4.73 Not Ranked

Bench Press:
Gio: Not Ranked
Rex: Ranked 13th

Vertical Leap:
Gio:33.5" Ranked 15th
Rex: 39" Ranked 2nd

Broad Jump:
Gio: 10'2" Ranked 6th
Rex: 10'5" Ranked 2nd

3 Cone Drill:
Gio: 6.91 Ranked 9th
Rex: 6.85 Ranked 4th

20 Yard Shuttle:
Gio: 4.12 Ranked 3rd
Rex: 4.09 Ranked 2nd

60 Yard Shuttle:
Gio: 11.41 Ranked 3rd
Rex: 11.51 Ranked 5th

So in head to head physical athletic tests Rex beats Gio: 5 tests to Rex and 2 to Gio.


Now you go and check out the NFL combine draft score and they show GIO as the #1 ranked RB draft prospect, yeah right ROTFLMAO.

Lets go to the highlight tape:

http://www.youtube.com/embed/XnxHQ2dhMF8

vs

http://www.youtube.com/embed/PyfpctaI99Y

NOT EVEN CLOSE, yet the bias there is in Marvin Sanders is obvious.

During the draft recap he stated Rex Burkhead played some FullBack at Nebraska. No he didn't.

Burkhead is a complete runningback. He can catch, block, read defenses, and most importantly RUN. His combine 40 was his only mistake and he is no 4.7 second back. He is a legit sub 4.6 and anything else that is required by an RB he has produced elite athlete type of numbers.

But Bennard from what Marvin Sanders is saying in code is basically he is safe, assured a spot and Rex will have to beat someone out and if not may be practice squad material.

Total BS.

Rex has as good or better agility, acceleration, vision, power, size, hands, and imo most importantly combination of all those skills. The only thing I would give Bennard is top speed and Bennard doesn't possess much more of that like many would like to think.

By the way, been lurking for awhile and decided to join, tired of the anti-white athlete BS that is taking over every sport imaginable in the U.S espeically college and especially NFL football.

 

[Leonardfan]

Lightning welcome to the board. It's great to have a lurker join and start sharing/venting with the rest of us. I hope you become an active contributor.

And Burkhead is a beast.

 

[jaxvid]

Truth about Rex Burkhead.

Stigma's such as these have followed him his entire career:

Power Back
Plodding
Lunch Pale carrying
Deceptive
Hard worker etc. etc.

Truth is:

He is a freak and top notch athlete with incredible football knowledge.

Lets compare him to the Bengals 2nd round and 1st RB pick of the 13 draft:

40 Yard Dash:
Gio 4.53 Ranked 8th
Rex: 4.73 Not Ranked

Bench Press:
Gio: Not Ranked
Rex: Ranked 13th

Vertical Leap:
Gio:33.5" Ranked 15th
Rex: 39" Ranked 2nd

Broad Jump:
Gio: 10'2" Ranked 6th
Rex: 10'5" Ranked 2nd

3 Cone Drill:
Gio: 6.91 Ranked 9th
Rex: 6.85 Ranked 4th

20 Yard Shuttle:
Gio: 4.12 Ranked 3rd
Rex: 4.09 Ranked 2nd

60 Yard Shuttle:
Gio: 11.41 Ranked 3rd
Rex: 11.51 Ranked 5th

So in head to head physical athletic tests Rex beats Gio: 5 tests to Rex and 2 to Gio.


Now you go and check out the NFL combine draft score and they show GIO as the #1 ranked RB draft prospect, yeah right ROTFLMAO.

Lets go to the highlight tape:

http://www.youtube.com/embed/XnxHQ2dhMF8

vs

http://www.youtube.com/embed/PyfpctaI99Y

NOT EVEN CLOSE, yet the bias there is in Marvin Sanders is obvious.

During the draft recap he stated Rex Burkhead played some FullBack at Nebraska. No he didn't.

Burkhead is a complete runningback. He can catch, block, read defenses, and most importantly RUN. His combine 40 was his only mistake and he is no 4.7 second back. He is a legit sub 4.6 and anything else that is required by an RB he has produced elite athlete type of numbers.

But Bennard from what Marvin Sanders is saying in code is basically he is safe, assured a spot and Rex will have to beat someone out and if not may be practice squad material.

Total BS.

Rex has as good or better agility, acceleration, vision, power, size, hands, and imo most importantly combination of all those skills. The only thing I would give Bennard is top speed and Bennard doesn't possess much more of that like many would like to think.

By the way, been lurking for awhile and decided to join, tired of the anti-white athlete BS that is taking over every sport imaginable in the U.S espeically college and especially NFL football.

Yes welcome to the board. I had very high hopes for Rex Burkhead. I was thrilled to be able to watch him play live at the Big House in Ann Arbor and I personally feel he was a better prospect then Toby Gerhart as a pro. Rex just looked like more of a pro style runner to me. However his knee injury did him in. All it takes is for one little tiny doubt to pop up and that is all it takes for the media to run the white RB down.

Most here probably don't remember but the greatest running back of the last 20 years was in my opinion Luke Staley of BYU, Doak Walker Award winner, incredible player. But he had a couple of nagging injuries, one in training camp (after being drafted in the 7th round for crissakes!!) and they used the injury excuse to march him out of the league.

Anyway Burkhead has one thing going for him. They didn't bury him behind Adrian Peterson. If he gets the chance he may be able to take advantage of it.

 

[Wes Woodhead]

I personally feel he was a better prospect then Toby Gerhart as a pro. Rex just looked like more of a pro style runner to me. However his knee injury did him in. All it takes is for one little tiny doubt to pop up and that is all it takes for the media to run the white RB down.

Most here probably don't remember but the greatest running back of the last 20 years was in my opinion Luke Staley of BYU, Doak Walker Award winner, incredible player. But he had a couple of nagging injuries, one in training camp (after being drafted in the 7th round for crissakes!!) and they used the injury excuse to march him out of the league.

Great post. Luke Staley was one of my all time favorite college players. He would have been a HOFer if he was black. Speed, quickness, power, great hands, outstanding pass blocker, he had a mean stiff arm. Do you really think "most here dont remember him"?

If thats so then thats sad, because Luke was a beast. If you dont know who Luke Staley was google his highlights, and be amazed.

 

[backrow]

ah, Luke Staley... plus he was built like a white AP, prototypical RB size. similar measurables to the best RB currently in the league, too

 

[white lightning]

I saw Luke play at Byu and he was also my favorite player. He had 4 or 5 touchdowns in a game a couple of times if I remember right. He won the doak walker award as the nations best running back. On one run which was a long td run, he high stepped from around the 20 and they still couldn't catch him. Perfect combo of size, speed and power. He was so explosive.

Rex can be a starting running back on Sundays but I don't think the Bengals have any interest other than for him to be a special teams guy and to get some chances of the bench. I sure hope I'm wrong but they are loaded with running backs. In a fair world, he would start above all of them or at least get 50% if the carries.

 

[dwid]

I feell like I jinxed him when I said at least we haven't had a White running back drafted to a team to sit behind a guy like BenJarvus Green Ellis :doh:
Btw I love Rex and think he could be a 1k runner, but I think Gerhart gets the slight edge, Gerhart is also pretty quick for a 231 lb guy, I think that knee brace was hindering him because he looks so much quicker as a pro. He probably could have broke 2k without it in 2009.

 

[white lightning]

It's early on but read this report out of the Bengals Training Camp. I sure hope this continues and that Rex either wins the starting job or at least gets to split the carries. Let's go TRex!!

http://www.holidayspress.com/cincin...ir-number-one-running-back-nfl-rumors/912400/

 

[Wes Woodhead]

It's early on but read this report out of the Bengals Training Camp. I sure hope this continues and that Rex either wins the starting job or at least gets to split the carries. Let's go TRex!!

http://www.holidayspress.com/cincin...ir-number-one-running-back-nfl-rumors/912400/

Ill believe it when I see it obviously. Still its a nice surprise that hes even being considered starting material.

 

[Leonardfan]

I am rooting for Rex. I just think they are going throw him right into the Brian Leonard role - more of a pass catching third down running back than anything.

 

[Don Wassall]

Burkhead getting some heady praise from Jay Gruden, and also from Hue Jackson. But I don't know -- Gruden, Jackson, Marvin Lewis, owner Mike Brown -- all of them Caste zealots. But maybe Rex's amazing talent will be too much to keep stifled in the NFL.


Jay Gruden: Rex 'quicker than cat'

There are no guarantees for Rex Burkhead. He will have to fight like heck to make the Cincinnati Bengals' 53-man roster.

He obviously made a nice first impression on coaches last weekend during rookie mini-camp.

Consider the following quotes (from www.bengals.com) a supplement to the story on Burkhead we ran earlier this week.

Said offensive coordinator Jay Gruden: "He's quicker than a cat. He has (one of the fastest times) in the short shuttle. His quickness is above average, if not great, but the intangibles he has, the size he has, his strength, his work ethic, all that makes him to be reckoned with come camp time. He's got great feet and quick; it's what we thought we had (with him). He's a great option for us. He’s a little bit thicker and bigger to handle pass protection. He's tough as nails, we know that."

Said running backs coach Hue Jackson: "I was pleasantly surprised," seeing Rex up close and personal. "Not that I didn't know he had ability, but watching him in person, you get to see a guy in a whole different light. He has extremely quick feet, has really good hands, is very smart, and catches on extremely well. He’s just another good player for our room."

http://journalstar.com/sports/huske...cle_33424816-bf51-11e2-b32b-0019bb2963f4.html

 

[jaxvid]

Burkhead getting some heady praise from Jay Gruden, and also from Hue Jackson. But I don't know -- Gruden, Jackson, Marvin Lewis, owner Mike Brown -- all of them Caste zealots. But maybe Rex's amazing talent will be too much to keep stifled in the NFL.


Jay Gruden: Rex 'quicker than cat'

There are no guarantees for Rex Burkhead. He will have to fight like heck to make the Cincinnati Bengals' 53-man roster.

He obviously made a nice first impression on coaches last weekend during rookie mini-camp.

Consider the following quotes (from www.bengals.com) a supplement to the story on Burkhead we ran earlier this week.

Said offensive coordinator Jay Gruden: "He's quicker than a cat. He has (one of the fastest times) in the short shuttle. His quickness is above average, if not great, but the intangibles he has, the size he has, his strength, his work ethic, all that makes him to be reckoned with come camp time. He's got great feet and quick; it's what we thought we had (with him). He's a great option for us. He’s a little bit thicker and bigger to handle pass protection. He's tough as nails, we know that."

Said running backs coach Hue Jackson: "I was pleasantly surprised," seeing Rex up close and personal. "Not that I didn't know he had ability, but watching him in person, you get to see a guy in a whole different light. He has extremely quick feet, has really good hands, is very smart, and catches on extremely well. He’s just another good player for our room."

http://journalstar.com/sports/huske...cle_33424816-bf51-11e2-b32b-0019bb2963f4.html

Geez, all this love for Rex is making me nervous. Isn't this the false crap they feed the DWF's before cutting a guy? I guess it's better then having no attention, but that list of suspects talking him up seems suspicious.

 

[backrow]

Geez, all this love for Rex is making me nervous. Isn't this the false crap they feed the DWF's before cutting a guy? I guess it's better then having no attention, but that list of suspects talking him up seems suspicious.

i dunno bud, some praise like that can't be bad, what's the alternative, for him to get no publicity, fade away and then get cut? let's hope it's not all just talk.

 

[Don Wassall]

Here's a great example of the need to put down a White athlete, even when he is doing some notable altruistic deeds. The very first sentence of this short article is inexcusable. It should simply read, "When the Bengals drafted running back Rex Burkhead, they selected a young man with great character." Instead we get this stereotypical putdown:


When the Cincinnati Bengals drafted Nebraska running back Rex Burkhead in April’s NFL Draft, they may not have gotten the strongest, fastest or most talented prospect, they may have gotten one of the best characters. Burkhead has continued to work with his friend and cancer patient, Jack Hoffman, and now the Bengals are working with the two to help promote cancer awareness.

When the Bengals did draft Burkhead, head coach Marvin Lewis already knew about Hoffman, and made sure he felt welcome to the Bengals family:

Shortly after the Bengals took Burkhead in the sixth round, head coach Marvin Lewis penned Jack a note and sent along Burkhead’s jersey. No. 22 in Nebraska is now No. 33 in Cincinnati.

“It was a very warm note; very heartfelt,†Andy says. “He wrote to Jack, ‘If you need anything, let me know.’ It was such a warm reach-out from not only the coach, but the fans. We put a picture of Jack with the jersey and put it onteamjackfoundation.org and the Bengals Facebook page shared it and the comments were great. I’m a big believer in God making decisions for us. To me it seems like God wants Rex to be with the organization. It looks like a classy organization with classy fans.â€

http://stripehype.com/2013/07/13/ci...ed&utm_medium=Network&utm_campaign=Hot+Topics

 

[Leonardfan]

Even though articles like that are to be expected they still get under my skin, especially since the moronic "journalist" who wrote the piece could have just researched Burkhead's performance at the combine to see how he was a top 5 finisher in 5 of the 7 events. I am hoping Burkhead is able to carve out a niche with the Bungles.

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

They showed the Bengals running the Oklahoma drill on NFL network and Burkhead looked phenomenal. He only had 2 hands put on him by a defender once out of 4 or 5 times through the drill. Even Giovanni Bernard (the 1st RB taken in the draft) had 2 hands on him by a defender twice.

Burkhead is extremely shifty! Rex also is smart to know that being overly emotional for not being treated right will get you blackballed in this league (just look at Hillis' situation). Rex has done tons for the community and was a great friend to a kid with terminal cancer. It may take BenJarvis Green-Ellis getting a high ankle sprain for Rex to get significant time this season. However, even without that, I'm confident Rex will at least get the Leonard role with the Bengals. Rex will provide more efficiency than Leonard in this role!