Lions Agree to Terms with Nate Burleson
by Sean Yuille on Mar 5, 2010 2:05 AM EST
in Detroit Lions Roster
99 comments
UPDATE II: John Clayton is reporting that the deal is worth $25 million and includes $11 million guaranteed.
UPDATE: Adam Schefter is reporting that Burleson agreed to a five-year deal.
Scout.com's Adam Caplan is reporting that wide receiver Nate Burleson has "agreed to terms on a deal with the Lions." It was reported on Thursday that the Lions were interested in Burleson, as the team is hoping to add a wide receiver or two to give Matthew Stafford more targets in 2010. Not only that, but after the likes of Bryant Johnson and Dennis Northcutt didn't exactly live up to the hype in 2009, it's important to find some new faces to add to the wide receiver position for 2010.
I will have more on Burleson when his deal becomes official. Until then you can check out his stats from the 2009 season below.
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Very good start !!
- has another weapon, hes not a world beater but with Calvin on the other side he can really help this team
Proud Detroit Lions season ticket holder since.......2009 !!
how much?
I want to know terms. If its 25 mil that’s waaaay too much for him. He’s average at best! Ugggh…
by TheOriginalVoice on Mar 5, 2010 9:01 AM EST up reply actions
Nice!
Not only a good WR, but a good returner as well. He is injury-prone, but a good player to have healthy.
GO LIONS! RESTORE THE ROAR!
Why not? Northcutt didn't work..........next!
Hopefully this will work better.
Honorary Driver of the Kyle Wilson Bus and Keeper of the Dreadlocks!
The 313 Missile Squadron: Delmas, Berry, Wilson......seek and destroy!
Hey, as long as Zack Follett keeps hitting people, he can rap to Barney the Dinosaur for all I care.
My thoughts as well
The Bringers of Hope: Stafford - Delmas - C. Johnson - Pettigrew - Levy - Hill - Schwartz
Zack Follett: he will hurt your mind.
by Hyperion Ecta on Mar 5, 2010 2:31 AM EST up reply actions
We agree on this one. Bryant Johnson Phase II
I hope the Lions replace Northcutt with a fourth or fifth round draft choice. Antonio Brown? There are a bunch of others who could do that job as well I mean better than he did..
SOLID
great start guys. take WR of of the draft list? since we have a #3 and #4 WR
GO LIONS in 2010! the transformation starts now.. they have much to do.
Selective is correct
Look at it this way, i know i know unofficial but we traded for Corey Williams in the prime of his career at DT, We trade for a WR that could be a solid number 2 if he stays healthy. And also Schwartz is working his magic to get VandenBoch signed. Now i know many of you have the opinion that these players are old and some garbage about not taking another teams left overs… Well thats what free agency is mostly about and we are taking a pitiful line and if VandenBoch is signed then they make at the least an avg line. Aggressive and Selective is the name of the game in this case like they said.
by Liontotheextreme on Mar 5, 2010 2:35 AM EST reply actions
not garbage here
VandenBoch is a complimentary player with a solidifying line… he will be good and effective because he will be surrounded by GOOD players.. I can finally say this.. MAYHEW/Schwartz hell of a job! this just focuses the draft to impact players RB, CB, OL? DL? Let’s sign him first….
GO LIONS in 2010! the transformation starts now.. they have much to do.
Intresting.
254 Punt Return yards on 0 Punt returns. Gotta assume it is a misprint, yet I kinda pray its not.
Sean, your awesome
Is anyone in the NFL, fans, or press getting any sleep tonight???
Burleson..
you guys act like he is a absolute stud …decent but not great…but should open up some room for cj…
No one said he was a stud
Would you rather have him, or Bryant Johnson at the 2 slot right now?
Exactly.
GO LIONS! RESTORE THE ROAR!
When healthy
Nate burleson is a above average wr that can still take it to the house. Now get Swartz donw to Chicago and sign Jerry springer before the bears sign him as well as everyone else that they are trying to sign……. still laughing at last nights fun.Springer wasn’t part of the Oprha deal was he????
Hate to tell you, but Burleson is a WR3
I think he is a huge upgrade over what we had beyond Bryant Johnson, but significantly better than BJ?? I’ll believe it when I see it. I like Burleson, but seems like we could have done better for 5 mill per year.
Oh you didn't know?? You're ass better CALLLLLLLL SOMEBODY!!!!!
Yeah
I’m afraid I agree. I rate him above Bryant Johnson, but he’s far from elite. In fact, I would be very pleasantly shocked if he has a Pro-Bowl caliber year in him. In addition I also think he was grossly overpaid, and for far too long (especially when you consider his injury history).
"Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer." -Mark Twain
You sign him for 5...
Because there are 220 LESS free agents available this year vs last. That means competition in fierce and you have to do what you have to do.
He may not be a stud, but is one of the best young WR’s in the market this year. For the record, Bryant Johnson and Northcut couldn’t carry his jock strap.
Burleson likely had more catches last year alone that NC and Bryant have had in their careers.
In this market, it gives us a young and somewhat successful receiver and frees up a draft pick. Very cool deal!
Just give me 25 guys on the last year of their contracts; I'll win a pennant every year....Sparky Anderson
question:
if there is football in 2011, would it mean that the contracts would still count for that year, or would they be shorted. (ie would this deal be considered a four year one?)
The beginning of the end of the misery
You mean if there is NO football in 11 right?
If there is NO league year, then the contract doesn’t decrement by a year.
Just give me 25 guys on the last year of their contracts; I'll win a pennant every year....Sparky Anderson
25 million for a mediocre WR?
Burelson is what 29? I could see spending that kind of cabbage and years on a younger guy. But this is one of the sins of losing in the NFL. You have to throw wads of cash at mediocre players to get them here. Which is why I laugh when I see posts on here about fixing certain position on the Lions via free agency. If it costs 25 million to get a player of Burleson’s talent here, imagine what’d cost for lets say a Brandon Marshall.
Hey Kill joy
This is an improvement over what we currently have, and that’s what we are all happy about. Our front office is actually trying to get some talent in here to give us a shot at winning.
davis is right. Burleson is an improvement and should help the Lions get better.
On one hand I applaud the Lions FO for being realistic and moving quickly on a player that they thought they could get and thought could help rather than dither and try for even more expensive players that were unlikely to come here.
On the other hand, this just highlights the importance of hitting those later round picks and getting starting role players, not megastars, to avoid having to get into this overpriced meat market. If Derrick Williams had showed anything last year we might not be doing this.
I'm not ready to write off Derrick Williams yet..
He looked sloppy on kick returns, but he didn’t get much of an opportunity to play WR.. maybe with experience and a little playing time he can show something..
Yes, you are right M_DC, I am not giving up on him either.
I am assuming his lack of playing time at WR has more to do with his showing in practices than the performance of BJ. There were a number of WRs drafted after him who contributed a lot more than him. Hopefully he can raise his game in 2010.
Lol!!!!! You just made my morning!! Derric williams!!!!
by TheOriginalVoice on Mar 5, 2010 9:05 AM EST up reply actions
Yea but Maxha is right too
Burleson is ok 2nd option, and is an upgrade even if it’s a slight upgrade over Johnson. The point he was making we gave a #1 wr money to a number #2 wr just to get him here…
Did we release Bryant Johnson?
If not, don’t expect Burleson to be playing WR2…..
Oh you didn't know?? You're ass better CALLLLLLLL SOMEBODY!!!!!
Sorry, I don't agree that the money they paid him is # 1 WR money.
$25 Million for five years would work out to about 24th on the list of Salaries for WRs from 2009.
Link: http://content.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/salaries/playersbyposition.aspx?pos=145
Burleson was previously at a Cap figure of $4.056 Million. Not a big raise for him. I used the Cap figure for his overall pay. I just assumed that $25M divided by five years is $5M per year. I know it is not that simple.
Some WRs paid less than him; Welker, Colston, Cotchery, Boldin, Brandon Marshall, Austin Miles, and pretty well all the rookie WRs.
Some WRs paid more than him; Antonio Bryant [$10M], Deion Branch [$7.5M], L. Coles [$7.5M], Roy Williams [$5.7M], and M. Clayton [$5.1M].
If he can repeat his 2009 season for Seattle here, I will be pretty happy.
I sorted that list by Total 2009 Salary and Burleson ranked 30th in 2009.
He would rank 20th if his pay was $5 Million for 2010.
Where do you get the idea that he is a slot receiver?
He was a # 2 WR at Seattle from what I saw of him. Does someone know for a fact that he is a slot receiver or that is how Detroit will use him?
I think he will be split wide for Detroit and Bryant will ride the pines or be cut.
Hey Debbie.....(downer)
we are in an un-capped year, with no guarantee what is going on after next season. if the LIONS wanna throw money to players that are BETTER than the players we had last year, let them do it. I DRIVE A FUC#ING RANGER WITH A LIONS LICENSE PLATE HOLDER.
As far as Marshall, the Broncos put a 1st round tender on him, so It would cost Suh Or Berry….
Burelson is an upgrade
I’m not disputing the fact he isn’t an upgrade from what we have. My whole point is that when you lose year after year this is what you HAVE to pay to get an average player to come to your team. All those that say “fix the _ (fill in need) via free agency” have to realize if it costs lets say the Patriots 20 millon to get a guy. It will cost the Lions double or triple that.
Burelson
Could be the start of what I was talking about before in my Pistons Post. Looks like an odd signing but could be a beast. Last year he outperformed TJ Houzmanzadah (sp) and will be a good SLOT receiver, but who knows next to CJ he could be great. I like the signing, it shows commitment to adding weopens for Matt
If you are pondering, "What am I supposed to do" think the EXACT OPPOSITE thing as Matt Millen is thinking.
Perfect emphasis
A SLOT receiver…..meaning WR3, not 2.
Oh you didn't know?? You're ass better CALLLLLLLL SOMEBODY!!!!!
I like that they made a move
And they did get a some what big name, but not at the price and I don’t like paying that kind of money to “slot recievers”.. That’s all I’m sayin…..
ms
Are you going to cheer when he makes a first down? are you going to cheer when he scores a TD on a short pass over the middle and takes it to the house? Are you going to feel sad when he’s carted off the field due to injury? Yep you are exactly like all of us LIONS FANS TILL THE END!
ahem
wes welker is a EFFIN SLOT RECIEVER! I would pay the dude 9 million a year. If he can catch 65 ball for 900 yards next year he is a massive upgrade to what we have. Lik ive been saying all along we have to over pay guys to come here.I think he’ll be solid. not great. but thats fine for me. Plus he was drawing #1 coverage this year. that’ll never happen to him for a while.
I have a 9" personality
by Waitingfortheroar on Mar 5, 2010 10:37 AM EST up reply actions
And he has Tom Brady throwing to him.....
We have Stafford, who may be as good as Brady (or better) someday……but not right now….lol.
Oh you didn't know?? You're ass better CALLLLLLLL SOMEBODY!!!!!
Listen guy's I'm happy alright, but I have 2 names for you all
Bill Schroeder
Az Zahir Hakim
Oh no you didn’t, oh yes I did
I know he isn't wes
I’m just saying he’s gonna be able to run all the quick routes and fly routes in single coverage against nickel backs. He’ll get 70 catches with his eyes shut barring injury. didn’t nate play in this offense in minnesotta!?!! his best year?
I have a 9" personality
by Waitingfortheroar on Mar 5, 2010 11:00 AM EST up reply actions
In all fairness, KDawg
Tell that to Wes Welker. :)
What I’m getting at, is that the number labels and the WR position names don’t always go hand-in-hand.
(sorry)
Had the reply box up before anyone mentioned Welker, came back after a bit and hit ‘post’ and waitingfortheroar had beaten me to it already :)
I never said I didn't like the move.....
but I think maybe we could have done better for 5 mill a year…..
Oh you didn't know?? You're ass better CALLLLLLLL SOMEBODY!!!!!
I am amazed by this
Burelson had one good season in 2004. This guy was always overrated crap. Why would we pay this kind of money and this long a contract for a guy like this? I honestly don’t see him as an upgrade over the stiffs we have at WR#2 now.
I am more excited about the big DT from the Browns
ATL
Dennis Northcut, enough said isn’t it. How many yards and catches did he have for us last year or even B. Johnson for that matter? Burelson is an upgrade and that’s all that should matter at this point. Yeah I would of liked others better but free-agency just started and Mayhew and Schwartz are not done getting more talent on our roster. Remember if the barrel is as empty as it was when they took over do you really care how it gets filled, Rain or piss it’s getting higher. We all agreed that this was a 3 year rebuild at best, year 2 get better players than last year, I think they are doing it.
Calvin and Bryant Johnson, Northcutt and now Burleson should be a damn fine squad.
I haven’t watched the Lions very closely, being a Seahawks fan, but this seems self-evident.
Nate is either just entering or right in his prime. He just had the second most yards (800+) he’s had in his career, right after being out the entire ‘08 season with a knee ligament tear. This was right next to TJ Houshmandzadeh, the #1 guy with the fat contract that you know is gonna see a far larger share of pass attempts, yet who doesn’t really ever draw double coverage, and Matt Hasselbeck, whose decline you’re probably all aware of. Players that rebound well from injuries are to be valued.
As receivers go, he is mediocre. He has lost some speed and was never a great route runner (limiting himself in the highly technical route-based West Coast Offense we’ve tried to run). His value has always lied in his versatility. He’s always produced at or above a #2 reciever’s due, going from a Vikings offense to a Holmgren offense to a Mora offense, always special team returning on the side. I would assume Schwartz would put him in for punt returns, which will be exciting plays, but I am not sure he’s capable of being the return guy he was… but still pretty good. To see what I mean, check out the highlight vid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPNqnLoJfPQ
You guys got a great weapon and the Seahawks are going to miss him. Speaking of which… why are you guys taking all our players? XD
Video
Looks good to me. Some plays in the slot some at #2 position. You can tell he isn’t blazing fast but a couple of those returns=What the hell did we have last year to compare to that? Also, he will have to come up with a new TD dance. Something relating to a LION?
If you are pondering, "What am I supposed to do" think the EXACT OPPOSITE thing as Matt Millen is thinking.
by LionsGuy4Ever on Mar 5, 2010 8:38 AM EST up reply actions
I'm pretty sure he only has one dance, he just comes up with different names.
He was hustling his ass off on the field so we didn’t really say anything.
by Anticitizen_One on Mar 5, 2010 8:42 AM EST up reply actions
How do you guys like Redding, Anticitizen?
Don’t ay we never did anything for ya’all…
Just give me 25 guys on the last year of their contracts; I'll win a pennant every year....Sparky Anderson
One thing I always look at is the SB Nation Profiles...
under career potential. I think this tells alot, Under Calvin Johnson’s “Solid Starter” under Nate Burelson “Solid Starter”. under Northcut “2nd to 3rd tier reciever” under Johnson "Role Player.
I say Burelson is a starter and he IS an upgrade and not total crap like alot of people say.
If you are pondering, "What am I supposed to do" think the EXACT OPPOSITE thing as Matt Millen is thinking.
Bryant Johnson is a role player
If you are pondering, "What am I supposed to do" think the EXACT OPPOSITE thing as Matt Millen is thinking.
by LionsGuy4Ever on Mar 5, 2010 8:46 AM EST up reply actions
You got it!!
I 100% agree. Burleson is a good pickup and will be an excellent #2 especially since he will actually have a QUARTERBACK. Matt Hasselbeck = Joey Harrington. Not to mention he will not receive any double coverage like he did in Seattle because of Megatron.
Yeah, comparing Hasselbeck to Harrington is a bit crazy
ATL knows what he’s talking about.
"I didn’t even know Elvis was from Memphis, I thought he was from Tennessee." — Drew Gooden.
Seriously.
How people are whining about this signing is baffling.
by Jamesir Bensonmum on Mar 5, 2010 9:29 AM EST up reply actions
I am leaning to agreement on that sentiment
Oh you didn't know?? You're ass better CALLLLLLLL SOMEBODY!!!!!
Good player
But I think that money could have been spent elsewhere. Even in an uncapped season, it doesn’t mean Detroit has unlimited funds.
Burleson = better than Northcutt
And he will replace Northcutt in the return game and in the slot……however, he will NOT replace bryant johnson as the #2 WR. Mark it down. He’s quick and he has decent hands, but he is a TRUE role player……not a starting caliber #2 WR. It has been proven over the years…..everytime nate Burleson gets into an every down starting role, he gets hurt. He is successful as a slot receiver and a kick returner, and i assume he will have a slightly expanded ROLE in our offense……but i do not expect him to supplant Bryant Johnson.
Oh you didn't know?? You're ass better CALLLLLLLL SOMEBODY!!!!!
Me neither Rev
but i’m still happier this morning than, I was at this time yesterday, Although you missed out last night it was the best time I’ve had here at the POD ever. It was 100 times better than that day everyone ganged up on Ralph. I was laughing so hard that I had tears in my eyes and woke up my 1 year old from laughing so loud.
Boy oh Boy
Wish I could bet you in person on that one Kdawg. He WILL be the #2 receiver this upcoming year. Bryant Johnson is horrible and its no secret to the lions staff, obviously, they just threw $25 mill Burleson’s way.
Perspective
When I consider a lot of moves this franchise has made over the last decade or so, this is one of the less offensive in my opinion. I’m less thrilled about the length of the contract than the total value, but even that is not a complete deal breaker given my very limited knowledge on how NFL contracts work.
Burleson is a very good #3 receiver, and while he is likely an upgrade over Bryant Johnson from a talent standpoint, the Lions still need to upgrade the #2 spot with a better receiver to start opposite CJ on 2 receiver sets. I don’t think that player will be Burleson?
Still, while it is always nice to see talent added to the team, WR really was about 7th or 8th on what I believe the teams needs are. DT, DE, LG, CB, S and at some point the team may want to address those guys on the end of the O-Line considering the hefty investment they’ve made in Mr. Stafford. Burleson could just as easily be Randy Moss and do nothing if the guy trying to get him the ball is constantly laying in the fetal position after the snap.
"Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer." -Mark Twain
Let's not forget....
The best season of his career was in Scott Linehan’s system and the coach already knows what he is capable of.
He should be able to fit right in.
Whether or not he is 2nd or 3rd WR, he is an upgrade and will help this team. That’s all I care about. I’m excited.
At least the coaching staff is trying to improve our weaknesses and isn’t using the #2 to draft Dez Bryant like millen would have done.
+1
Good post. Nice to see someone has a little faith in the front office. I mean why is everyone on here down on this signing when the front office is TRYING to make us better. They have yet to make a dumb decision and lets face it we have to pay guys a little more than other teams, we did just go 0-16 and 2-14, enough said.
I don't think...
…too many of us are actually plugging our noses at this signing. I think the general mood of the pesimist is “tempered enthusiasm”. In other words, this helps, but I’m not reserving my Superbowl Tickets.
"Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer." -Mark Twain
Good points
"Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer." -Mark Twain
The reality is...
…is that the Lions have to seemingly pay top dollar for free agents. Nobody wants to come to the Lions based on reputation of the team. For example, someone like Junior Seau joins the Patriots exclusively for the fact that the Patriots are going to win. Nobody joins the Lions for that reason, unless you are schizophrenic beyond recognition. This is a good signing by the Lions. They don’t need a #1 WR like Brandon Marshall, they needed depth at the WR position and Nate provides us with a solid if not unspectacular option at WR. We just have to pay top dollar for free agents, there is no way around it.
I really like the trade for Corey Williams. Check out what he did in Green Bay, read about his history in the league. This trade could have bigger implications than the Nate signing. Let’s go get KVB and bring Chester Taylor in for a visit now.
by Barry the Great on Mar 5, 2010 11:04 AM EST reply actions
I agree Re: Top Dollar for FA's
There’s often a higher premium necessary to get FA’s to go to a team that is less than ideal. Overpaying players just goes with the territory of being (historically or recently) a poor team.
Kind of like how someone with a long history of driving offenses will always have to put up with paying higher premiums when shopping around for car insurance, than someone who has a spotless record.
According to ESPN, we just signed KVB to a 4 year deal
Hooray! Rejoice!
by Barry the Great on Mar 5, 2010 11:07 AM EST reply actions
Seahawks fan here
You’ll probably like Burleson. He was a pretty effective WR this season paired with a legit player like TJ Houshmandzadeh. He’ll do well with Megatron.
"Mayhap a hidden door lurks nigh. Let us search the environs."
I think #13
Just a guess…
Just give me 25 guys on the last year of their contracts; I'll win a pennant every year....Sparky Anderson
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