Pittsburgh Steelers 2009 NFL 5th Round Pick Pick Joseph Burnett Addresses The Media

by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on Apr 27, 2009 5:46 PM EDT

Here is a link to the audio file:

Also, after the jump I have included a trascription of a confrence call with Joe Burnett from the Steelers official website.

Do you see yourself coming here to return punts and kicks or to play cornerback?

I see myself coming in to play a little bit of nickel, return punts and kicks and kickoff as well. Whatever it takes, I’m going to do it.

[The Steelers] already drafted a cornerback in the third round. Does that hurt your chances?

I don’t think it hurts my chances at all because now that the draft is over, from the first slots to the seventh round, every guy has to come in and compete and work for a position. I feel like it is a draft, but now we are at the moment where we have to go in and work for a job. It doesn’t end right here. That’s how I feel about it. I went in the fifth round [at] such-and-such pick, but I feel like I’m in the same boat as the third-round pick at cornerback. Me and him are competing now for the job. And I want the job.

How do you think your style fits in with the way that the Steelers want their corners to play?

I think I fit in real well with it. Me and the coach [Ray Horton] talked about a lot of stuff and he told me he wanted me to come in and contribute at nickel and at special teams during my visit. And I think I fit in real well with playing in the quarters. I played quarters actually and playing a press guy over all positions. I think I fit in real well with the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s actually where I wanted to be.

There you have it; our 5th round pick in the 2009 NFL draft is introduced and really sounds like he has a lot of confidence and understands what the front office and coaches are looking for. I am especially excited about his kick and punt return abilities; Mike Mayock said yesterday that he was the only guy entering the draft that was rated in the top 10 in punt and kick returns last season.

Welcome to Steeler Nation Joe Burnett!

Tweet Comment 7 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I'm really liking this pick.

Anyone else catch some of the return highlights on this guy? Think of what a drastic change there’s gonna be this year. We went from Gary Russell and Carey Davis to Mike Wallace and Joe Burnett. That’s what I call talent.

It's true what they say...Even the NFL's Big Wigs hate the Steelers. On the plus side, I can now tell my future grand kids about Hines Ward and how the NFL made rules because of him. Roger Goodell, you make me sick.

by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Apr 27, 2009 6:21 PM EDT reply actions

yep

ST seems to be getting better yearly now. from weakness to not bad, to possibly dangerous? good turnaround there, if even one of the rookies can return kicks as well as they did in college

by tkired on Apr 27, 2009 7:58 PM EDT reply actions

Exactly

I wanted two return men and we got ‘em! Hopefully both these guys work out, but if one doesn’t…we still have a return man.

by betelgeuse on Apr 27, 2009 9:06 PM EDT reply actions

and I’m really looking forward to what a quick agile CB like this will do on the defensive end of special teams.

by betelgeuse on Apr 27, 2009 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions

thinkin

Wallace & Burnett will do kicks, Burnett on punt return with Tone on an as need basis. Don’t forget little dude from Canada Logan has return skills too.

by Hypocycloid on Apr 27, 2009 10:14 PM EDT reply actions

What I wonder is…will the 2 CBs make the roster?

Ike, Gay, Townsend are our #1, 2, and 3. We have a #4, #5, and #6 already signed before draft picks: Madison, Fernando, and that other dude. Now we have #7 and #8.

Lewis ought to be able to take one of those spots, but I wonder will Lewis also be competing with Mundy? We have a need at backup safety right now for An Smith. If Lewis can be a backup at that area he virtually guarantees himself a roster spot, and if memory serves me right all he will have to do is beat out Mundy for it. Also, Mundy is obviously a stashable PS guy, whereas Lewis is not. If Lewis can backup safety and be slotted in as the #4/#5 CB, that’d be fantastic.

If Lewis fills that spot, than Burnett is going to have to fight it out for one of the CB slots. All those guys are for competition, but Burnett isn’t a sure thing to make the active roster.
If Burnett can fight Wallace for some return duties he’ll help his chances dramatically.

Don't worry about the haters. Haters only hate.

by steelguy99 on Apr 28, 2009 8:37 AM EDT reply actions

I'd be

absolutely shocked if he didn’t make the roster. Rookies make the roster based on special teams and he is the best returner we picked up.
He already graduated in Dec so he has been working out like crazy to be ready to step in and play.

by chanman on Apr 28, 2009 11:29 AM EDT reply actions