Vontaze Burfict joins UNLV staff as defensive analyst
Via Justin Williams of TheAthletic.com, Burfict has joined UNLV's staff as a defensive analyst.
Burfict is working under interim defensive coordinator Paul Guenther, who was Burfict's longtime linebackers position coach and coordinator with the Bengals. Burfict also played under Guenther with the Raiders in 2019.
That was the last season of Burfict's career, as he was suspended after a helmet-to-helmet hit on Colts tight end Jack Doyle in the Raiders' fourth game of the season. While Burfict was reinstated at the end of the season, he went unsigned in free agency.
Burfict received his 12-game suspension for repeated violations of player safety, including personal fouls and illegal hits. According to Sportrac, Burfict had lost $5.3 million due to fines and suspensions from 2013-2019.
Burfict entered the league in 2012 as an undrafted free agent out of Arizona State. He appeared in 79 games with 77 starts over the course of his career, making one Pro Bowl in 2013.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Bengals assessing options at safety with starter Geno Stone sidelined because of injury
CINCINNATI (AP) — After the Cincinnati Bengals secondary struggled in the preseason opener, starting safety Geno Stone learned that he has a soft tissue injury that has him out on a 'week-to-week' basis. Those recent developments gave the Bengals a lot to discuss and work on heading into their second preseason game against the Washington Commanders on Monday night. Coach Zac Taylor said that the Philadelphia Eagles' success against the Bengals in last week's preseason opener showed the Bengals defensive backs some areas to focus on going forward. Penalties from the Bengals also made a big difference last week, and Taylor wants to see those cleaned up in Washington. 'We were just in a lot of one-on-one positions where we were fingertip away a lot of times,' Taylor said. 'Continue to be competitive, continue to be detailed up on scrimmage. I think overall, operationally, there were some things on offense, defense and special teams that we've we've got to be better at. That had nothing to do with Philly, and that's, that's one of our primary focuses right now as a team, not having a joint practice this week.' Without Stone in the short term, Tycen Anderson, Daijahn Anthony and PJ Jules have been battling for first-team reps on defense. Even though the Bengals didn't utilize their safety depth last season, they only added undrafted free agents into that position group. As a result, the backups behind Stone who are now contenders for a first-team role are getting their first real chance to show what they're capable of in a starting opportunity. Anthony played some backup slot cornerback during the first two weeks last season. But after he committed a key penalty, he lost that role and didn't play much during the rest of his rookie season. He has received a fresh start in 2025 with a new defensive coordinator, and he has been Stone's primary backup as the second-team free safety. 'Safety is just slowing down for me now,' Anthony said. 'What's changed the most is that Coach Al (Golden) has given us our own freedom. He gives us the tools and played to run. Then, he gives us the opportunity to make those plays and run the show back there. That's the biggest change for me. There's not as much stress with this is exactly what we have to do.' Anderson, a fifth-round pick in 2022, has played one career defensive snap while establishing himself as the team's top special teamer. He has played in 24 total games, and Anderson has 18 total tackles in the NFL on special teams. Jules was an undrafted free agent last season who spent 2024 on the Bengals' practice squad. An interception last Sunday during practice with the second team opened some eyes and led to him getting more opportunities. 'I don't care who you are, how you got here, I'll give you the same promise my coach gave me 15 years ago,' safeties coach Jordan Kovacs said. 'The best players will play. Every spot is open. Let's go compete and let's see how good we can get. Because competition is ultimately what's going to make us better players.' Taylor also didn't rule out the Bengals adding a free-agent option at the safety position. 'That's a group that we're looking to make sure we're deep enough there, so they're gonna continue to get a lot of opportunities,' Taylor said. ___ AP NFL:
USA Today
18 minutes ago
- USA Today
23 days until Saints season opener: Every player to wear No. 23
From the first Saints Pro Bowler to a Super Bowl winner and Defensive Rookie of the Year A 23-day wait remains until the New Orleans Saints host the Arizona Cardinals to open their 2025 season. The No. 23 is currently worn by running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, a former LSU Tigers star. It's also a jersey that's been worn by some of the finest players in New Orleans history. This is a look at the complete list of players who have worn the number. Saints' History of No. 23 Dave Whitsell was the first to wear No. 23 for New Orleans, doing so for the first three seasons of franchise existence. Joining the Saints in the 1967 expansion draft after a standout career with the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears, Whitsell was an instant star in New Orleans. He led the NFL with 10 interceptions in 1967, still a single-season franchise record, while earning the first Pro Bowl in franchise history. Whitsell went on to have 9 interceptions over his last two years with the Saints. His 19 career interceptions remain fifth-most in franchise history. In 1996, Whitsell was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame. He and Dave Waymer, inducted that same season, became the second New Orleans defensive backs to receive those honors. Doug Wyatt was the first New Orleans draft pick to wear No. 24. Wyatt was a 17th-round choice in 1970, but stuck around and intercepted 8 passes over 40 games in three years. The first offensive player to wear a No. 23 jersey in New Orleans was Joe Profit, who rushed for 274 yards in one season with the team. There wouldn't be another offensive player to wear No. 23 until Buford Jordan did it in 1986. A star with the New Orleans and Portland Breakers of the original USFL, Jordan also went to Iota High School and McNeese State in Louisiana. He'd join the Saints in 1986 after the USFL folded and was a valuable reserve back and special teams contributor for seven seasons. As a Saint, Jordan had 1,042 yards from scrimmage and scored 9 touchdowns. His 75 games are the third most by any Saints player to wear the No. 23 jersey. Jordan was one of three straight New Orleans running backs to wear No. 23. One of those was Lorenzo Neal, who arrived as a fourth round choice in the 1993 NFL draft. Neal had a 16-year career as one of the most respected fullbacks in the NFL, with four of those years as a Saint. He only wore No. 23 as a rookie, before switching to No. 22. Kevin Mathis was best-known during his time with the Dallas Cowboys. However, Mathis was also a productive member of the Saints secondary for two years after leaving Dallas. Mathis had 3 interceptions and 15 pass breakups in his two years in New Orleans while also forcing 5 fumbles and recording a sack. He was one of only two of the seven players to wear No. 23 between 1993 and 2007 to wear the jersey for more than one year, including former Cowboys teammate Omar Stoutmire. In 2007 came the arrival of one of the most beloved players to wear any number for the Saints. Pierre Thomas came to New Orleans as an undrafted rookie with little expectation from the NFL world. It was surprising enough when Thomas vastly outplayed Antonio Pittman, a rookie fourth round pick that year, but what followed couldn't have been predicted by even the best prognosticator. Thomas played nine years for New Orleans, with his 105 games the most for any player to wear a No. 23 jersey. He was a consistent weapon for one of the most prolific offenses in NFL history, particularly lethal in the biggest moments or on screen passes. Thomas rushed for 3,745 yards as a Saint, averaging 4.6 per carry and scoring 28 touchdowns. He added 327 receptions for another 2,608 yards and 12 scores. Without the contributions of Thomas during the 2009-10 postseason, the Saints most likely would not have won Super Bowl XLIV. Pierre Thomas ranks sixth in team history for rushing yardage. Only Alvin Kamara has more catches or yards in franchise history from the running back position. Thomas accomplished all this despite being in a shared backfield throughout his career. In 2018, Thomas was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame. Marshon Lattimore became the highest drafted player by the Saints to wear No. 23 as the 11th overall choice in the 2017 NFL draft. Lattimore was an instant sensation, winning the 2017 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year after 5 interceptions is 18 passes broken up. During a stretch of his eight years with the Saints, he was the NFL's top shutdown corner, oftentimes shadowing an opponent's top wideout. Lattimore earned four Pro Bowls over his first five seasons. He had 15 interceptions with the Saints, breaking up an astounding 88 throws and recovering 5 fumbles. Lattimore often affected games just with his ability to take the opposition's best weapon out of the game plan. His 97 games are the second most by any Saint to wear No. 23. While his New Orleans career came to an end with a 2024 trade to Washington, it's a career that will most certainly end with an induction into the Saints Hall of Fame.
NBC Sports
an hour ago
- NBC Sports
Boise State again favored to win Mountain West as conference prepares for major changes
Change is coming to the Mountain West, but this season will feel like so many others. No. 25 Boise State was picked to win the conference. For the 15th year in a row. Broncos coach Spencer Danielson pointed out that didn't equate to a conference title every time, but Boise State is the two-time defending champion. The program lost Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty and still received 35 of 39 first-place votes from the media. 'That's just the culture that we have,' said left tackle Kage Casey, a potential first-round pick in next year's NFL draft. 'Everyone in the conference knows that we're putting in the work to be the best, and that's what we're going to show game by game, day by day.' Boise State and four other schools — Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State — will be playing their final season in the Mountain West. Those five will depart for the Pac-12 Conference in what has been a contentious divorce that saw UNLV turn down overtures from the Pac-12 to remain in the Mountain West. The Rebels made the championship game the past two seasons before falling short against Boise State, and they were picked to finish second again this year. With first-year coach Dan Mullen, who previously coached Florida and Mississippi State, there is great optimism at UNLV of taking the next step and perhaps qualifying for the College Football Playoff. Junior safety Jake Pope was recruited by Mullen coming out of high school in 2022, but chose Alabama over the Gators. He transferred to Georgia two years later and then to UNLV. 'A really, really great players' coach,' Pope said. 'He's always down to listen to what we have, positive and negative. ... It's pretty cool to be back here with him.' Moving on from Jeanty Jeanty had a season for the ages last year, leading the nation with 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns rushing. He fell just 27 yards short of Barry Sanders' NCAA record. It might take a committee to come close to making up such production. Redshirt freshman Sire Gaines is back after missing nearly all of last season with an injury; in last year's opener against Georgia Southern, he rushed for 110 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. Malik Sherrod is a sixth-year transfer from Fresno State who also had his season ended prematurely by injury, but in 2023 he rushed for 966 yards and nine TDs. Whether the Broncos can make up the difference remains to be seen. 'Ashton is one of the top leaders I've ever been around in all my years coaching,' Danielson said. 'He had that innate sense that could grab a kid, have a one-on-one conversation. Could speak to the entire room. Would also lead by example.' Taking the next step Boise State appeared in the playoff last season for the first time. The Broncos, who received a first-round bye, were demolished by Penn State 31-14 in the quarterfinals. 'We went to the playoffs, but we lost,' Casey said. 'That's the thing that I always think about. We were the fourth team to go to the Fiesta Bowl; we were the first Boise State team to fall short. That is deep in our hearts and deep in our thoughts, that we are not going to let that be our legacy. We want to build off of something no Boise State team has ever done. We want to go on a run.' SEC West at UNLV? Mullen isn't the only one who gives UNLV a Southeastern Conference feel as he replaces Barry Odom, who parlayed back-to-back Mountain West title game appearances into the Purdue job. In addition to Pope, other new Rebels include cornerbacks Denver Harris (previously LSU and Texas A&M) and Laterrance Welch (LSU). Drawing players from one of the country's most dominant conference probably isn't the worst strategy. 'The more guys in the program that knows what it takes in an SEC program to win, it's going to translate over to here,' Pope said. Spartans on the rise San Jose State, like UNLV, for many years was at or near the bottom of the Mountain West until recently. The Spartans posted four seven-win seasons in the past five years under two coaches. Brent Brennan built the program before leaving for Arizona after the 2023 season. Ken Niumatalolo — who went 109-83 over 16 years at Navy — took over and guided San Jose State to a 7-6 record last season. San Jose State was picked third in the Mountain West. 'I think we're way more mature,' Niumatalolo said. 'I felt a little chaotic at this time last year implementing our culture, implementing what we do. I feel like that stuff's already in place.'
