Tag: Terrell Burgess

Raheem Morris hints at Terrell Burgess possibly playing a bigger role

Terrell Burgess has only played one defensive snap this year, but with Darious Williams out, he could have a bigger role.

Maybe, just maybe the Rams will find a way to get Terrell Burgess involved while Darious Williams is on injured reserve.

The second-year defensive back has played just one defensive snap all year after playing 49 in seven games before getting hurt last season. He was still recovering this offseason from that severe ankle injury suffered in 2020, but he’s been healthy enough to play special teams and hasn’t been on the injury report once.

His lack of involvement on defense has been surprising, especially with Taylor Rapp not playing particularly well at safety. But Burgess’ chance could come this weekend against the Giants. Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris said Thursday that the Rams will replace Williams with a committee in the secondary, which may include Burgess.

“You got to have versatility with Jalen (Ramsey). Darious was a big part of us having that ability to do those things. Now you can’t replace those types of guys with one guy. It’s got to be by committee,” Morris said. “You got to be able to do those things. It’d be some David Long, will be some more Robert Rochell. A potential of somebody like a Burgess emerging. All those guys in this roster that you can use and can use their skillsets. You’ll hear the cliche by coaches saying, ‘The next man up.’ It’s more like the next men up. The next people up to fill those roles to be able to do those things. I think it’s our job as coaches to identify the problem. It’s the player’s jobs to go out and fix them, but it’s our job to put those guys in the position to best be successful and to coach what they can do and not to find out what they can’t.”

Burgess fits best as a safety, but he also has the ability to line up in the slot and play the nickel role. Ramsey has been playing in the slot plenty this season, so Burgess has had a hard time finding snaps there.

But if Ramsey plays outside more, it could open the door for Burgess to step up. We’ll see if that actually comes to fruition because his lack of playing time is nothing short of a shocking development.

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Terrell Burgess sees Jalen Ramsey as a ‘healthy trash talker’

Jalen Ramsey likes to talk on the field, but Terrell Burgess says it doesn’t get “in the middle of him playing.”

Jalen Ramsey has made a name for himself as the best cornerback in the NFL, earning All-Pro honors last season with the Rams. He’s been one of the best defensive backs for several years now, immediately making an impact in Jacksonville as a rookie in 2016.

As an elite defender, he certainly backs up his trash talk on the field when going head-to-head with wide receivers. And for as much as he jaws at opponents, it doesn’t get in the way of his play out there.

Terrell Burgess dispelled the narrative that Ramsey is a huge trash talker, saying he gets the rest of the Rams defense amped up on the field.

“I think everyone, like, depicts him as some like huge trash talker but there’s like a good balance in my opinion,” Burgess said, via the Rams’ official site. “I don’t think it gets in the middle of him playing. He’s a healthy trash talker. You want a little bit of that [in games], It makes it more fun and it just kind of hypes you up.”

So long as Ramsey keeps playing the way he has in Los Angeles thus far, he’ll always have the green light to talk as much trash as he wants. He backs it up better than just about anyone, consistently locking down No. 1 receivers on a weekly basis.

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Terrell Burgess stands out on first day of Rams training camp

Terrell Burgess is already catching the eyes of Sean McVay and Aaron Donald in practice.

There’s been a revolving door of sorts at safety for the Rams in the last four years, with players such as John Johnson, Eric Weddle, Lamarcus Joyner and Jordan Fuller all stepping in as starters. Los Angeles has had a ton of success finding talented players at the position, and the team seems to have another on its hands with Terrell Burgess.

Burgess was a third-round pick last year but was limited to only seven games as a rookie before breaking his ankle. He didn’t get the chance to establish himself as a key player, but the potential was clear even in a smaller sample size.

This season, he has a chance to capitalize on the opportunity to become a starter after Johnson left in free agency. It’s only been one day of training camp, but he’s not wasting any time making a strong impression on his coaches.

According to those in attendance Wednesday, Burgess broke up a deep pass to DeSean Jackson and picked off John Wolford, returning it for a touchdown.

“He did a great job,” McVay said after practice. “I thought he had a couple great breakups, even the one where we tried to hit DeSean down the seam and makes a great play, kind of carrying him outside, in vertical, and broke up a pass underneath. So, Terrell is a guy that’s really flashed. I thought he was just hitting his stride before he got injured, but really confident in what kind of player he can become and today he started off the right way.”

Aaron Donald took notice of the second-year safety, as well, recognizing his promising start to camp. He said Burgess was flying around making plays on Wednesday, which is exactly what a defense wants to see from its safety.

“We saw what he was doing last year when he was healthy, when he was playing,” Donald said. “To see him back healthy again, out there doing the same things he was doing before he got injured, I’m excited about it. He’s going to continue to get better. He’s still a young guy with a lot of potential. He’s hungry. Then for the first day out there flying around, making plays, interceptions for touchdowns. So that’s what you want to see and it’s only Day 1.”

If Burgess can continue his ascent, he’ll make an excellent starting tandem with Jordan Fuller, a fellow 2020 draftee. The Rams have to be encouraged by the way their two young safeties project in this defense.

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Defining Chargers HC Brandon Staley’s mold at each position on defense

Chargers head coach Brandon Staley has a certain criteria that needs to be met at each position on the defensive side of the ball.

The Chargers have various position needs that will be addressed come draft day, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

With Brandon Staley the new sheriff in town, this won’t be about selecting the best defender and throwing them on the field. Instead, he has a specific mold at each position.

Starting up front, where Staley has a three-man look in his 3-4 base defense, versatility is key for his defensive linemen, as they must possess the ability to play from multiple alignments.

For Staley, the outside linebackers or edge defenders in his scheme are lengthy and explosive players who should be able to set the edge versus tight ends and “dominate” the edge in the run game.

“I think it’s something that’s not talked about enough,” Staley said. “It’s been the hallmark of where we played before.”

Overall, Staley loves to rotate his front by mixing looks and moving guys around.

One of the traits he liked about their third-round pick Terrell Lewis at Alabama was the way he played every position on the defensive line, from the seven-technique to the three and, a few times, even nose tackle.

As for inside linebackers, Staley looks for instinctive players who are “great processors” and “outstanding tacklers” with the ability to communicate and lead effectively.

Clay Johnston, the Rams’ seventh-round pick from a year ago, was just that. An instinctive football player who was always a hunt mode.

Like the defensive line, Staley requires position versatility with his defensive backs, especially at safety.

Terrell Burgess, who was drafted by the Rams last year, showed the range to play man coverage in the slot or diagnose from depth in a single-high role.

With his corners, Staley said players they value have to be able to cover man-to-man, have movement ability when playing off coverage, ball skills when they’re at the third level and the ability to tackle in open space.

Only 10 days until we find out how Staley will go about his first draft as the Chargers’ head coach.

Terrell Burgess sees ‘big opportunity’ for himself at safety in 2021

With John Johnson gone, the Rams need a new starting safety. Could Terrell Burgess fill that void?

The Los Angeles Rams have churned through safeties fairly often over the last four years, starting everyone from Lamarcus Joyner to John Johnson and Eric Weddle to Taylor Rapp. Even sixth-round rookie Jordan Fuller was a starter for them last season.

Changes at the position are nothing new for the front office or coaching staff, which is why Johnson’s departure in free agency was hardly surprising. It was almost expected after the team drafted three safeties in the last two years.

Johnson’s departure opens the door for Terrell Burgess, who missed most of his rookie year due to a broken ankle. He’s gearing up for Year 2, though, and sees a big opportunity for himself at safety.

“I think I’m just looking forward to being able to play again,” he said on the UBoyz podcast. “Being able to go out there and there’s a big opportunity for me this year. I’m not going to say a spot’s open, but there’s more of an opportunity this year and I’m just excited to be able to help the team any way I can. I feel like I’m going to take some rein and I’m excited to be able to go out there and show what I can do, show the people what I’ve got.”

Burgess only played 48 defensive snaps before getting hurt, but he was coming into his own as the season progressed. He made five tackles against the Bears in his final game of the season and also broke up a pass the week before against the 49ers.

He’s a versatile player who can not only help at safety, but also in the slot. New defensive coordinator Raheem Morris shouldn’t have any trouble finding a role for Burgess, potentially even as a starting safety next to Jordan Fuller.

Terrell Burgess: Ankle rehab has made me a stronger athlete, better person

Terrell Burgess shared a motivating message on Twitter this week, and seems to be confident heading into 2021.

Terrell Burgess’ rookie season ended prematurely in October when he suffered a broken ankle in Week 7 against the Bears. He was beginning to carve out a role in the secondary as a part-time player, showcasing his versatility and instincts on defense.

Burgess is still working his way back from the devastating injury, beginning with walking in December and running again this week. His exact timetable for return isn’t clear, but Burgess should hopefully be ready for the start of the 2021 season.

He shared a message on Twitter Thursday, describing what makes him rare. He cited his patience in college before finally becoming a starter his senior year, and said that despite not being able to finish his rookie season, the rehab process has made him better.

“Unfortunately, I was not able to finish the season due to an ankle injury, but this recovery process with our amazing strength staff has not only made me a stronger athlete, but also a better person. I can’t wait to see what Year 2 has in store!” he wrote.

Burgess is a player Rams fans are excited to watch in 2021, when he should have a bigger role if John Johnson leaves in free agency. He could even become a starter at safety next to Jordan Fuller, or step in as the starting nickel corner in place of Troy Hill, who is also a free agent.

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Terrell Burgess says first day running since ankle injury ‘was a great one’

Terrell Burgess is back running for the first time since breaking his ankle in October.

With John Johnson destined for free agency, the Rams will likely have a hole at safety next season. Jordan Fuller figures to be one of the starters again, but his running mate on the back end is still TBD.

Terrell Burgess, Taylor Rapp and Nick Scott are all internal candidates to replace Johnson, giving the Rams some good options. Burgess is coming back from injury, however, after breaking his ankle in October.

He began walking for the first time back in December, and this week, he began running. Burgess shared the following video on Twitter recently, saying his first day running again “was a great one.”

He also posted a photo of his cleats on Instagram with a big smiling emoji.

Burgess was a third-round pick by the Rams last year and has a bright future as a versatile defensive back who’s capable of playing safety, cornerback and covering the slot.

He should see an uptick in playing time next season, so long as he’s healthy for the Rams.

Watch: Terrell Burgess is back walking for first time since ankle surgery

Terrell Burgess is working his way back from ankle surgery.

Terrell Burgess has been sidelined since breaking his ankle in Week 7 against the Chicago Bears. He’s out for the year but that doesn’t mean he isn’t putting in work behind the scenes to get ready for the 2021 season.

This week, Burgess shared an update on his recovery and on Monday, he made a big step in the process – literally. He’s back walking for the first time since surgery, which was six weeks ago. Burgess is still using crutches and his foot is in a boot, but this is an important step in the rehab process as he gears up for Year 2 in the NFL.

Burgess also posted a video on his Instagram story of himself walking on an AlterG anti-gravity treadmill, which players often use during rehab.

The Rams certainly miss Burgess, who was just coming into his own as a backup safety before getting hurt. He’ll be back next year, though, and potentially in a starting role if John Johnson leaves in free agency.

He has a high ceiling as a former third-round pick out of Utah.

Terrell Burgess carted off with serious left leg injury

Terrell Burgess suffered what appears to be a significant left leg injury in the fourth quarter.

Terrell Burgess was having the best game of his young career on Monday night, but unfortunately, it was cut short due to injury. He was carted off the field in the fourth quarter after suffering a left leg injury.

The trainers put his leg in an air cast and took him straight to the locker room. He was later declared doubtful to return with an ankle injury.

The injury occurred when Burgess attempted to make a tackle on David Montgomery. His leg got caught underneath him and bent awkwardly.

Sean McVay will likely provide an update on his status after the game or on Tuesday during his media session.

It’s time for Terrell Burgess to step up with Jordan Fuller out

Terrell Burgess should get increased reps with Jordan Fuller out.

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Jordan Fuller has been one of the most impressive defensive rookies in the NFL this season, especially after being a sixth-round pick in the draft. He’s started all four games he’s played, making a big impact on defense for the Rams.

Unfortunately, L.A. will be without its stud safety for the next three weeks after Fuller re-injured his shoulder on Sunday in Washington and was placed on IR Tuesday. He’ll be eligible to return after the team’s Week 9 bye, just in time for the Rams’ first matchup with the division-leading Seahawks in Week 10.

There’s no denying this is a significant blow for Brandon Staley’s unit, but it’s not one the Rams can’t overcome. They have one of the deepest safety groups in the league, led by John Johnson.

In fact, it’s so deep that Taylor Rapp has played limited snaps this season after being a starter a season ago.

But with Fuller out, it’s now time for Terrell Burgess to step up.

Burgess has played just 28 defensive snaps this season, all of which came in Weeks 3 and 4. He didn’t play at all on Sunday against Washington after playing a season-high 19 against the Giants one week prior.

Though he hasn’t done much of anything this season, Burgess should get more opportunities on defense with Fuller out. Like Fuller, he can play the deep middle as a true free safety, which allows Johnson to play closer to the line of scrimmage. That’s not the case with Rapp, who like Johnson is better suited for a strong safety role.

But Burgess can also play in the box, lurking over the middle as a hang defender. For example, he laid a good hit on Golden Tate, leading to an incompletion. Tate dropped the ball before Burgess made contact with him, but his presence was felt as Tate went to brace himself for impact.

Burgess is still a work in progress and hasn’t proved to be worthy of a starting role just yet, but the Rams need a player who can replace Fuller in centerfield, not another box safety. Burgess can do that, as evidenced by where he’s lined up often this season.

Rapp should still see playing time in Fuller’s absence and provides value as a strong safety, but Burgess’ range and versatility could become an asset. The Rams defense looks different when Fuller is out there because it allows them to play three-deep looks rather than two-deep sets with Johnson and Rapp. If Burgess can hold up as a centerfielder in Staley’s scheme, it’ll make Fuller’s void much easier to fill.

That’s a big “if” at this point because of Burgess’ lack of experience, but he showed at Utah the range and instincts to play that role – which is part of the reason the Rams drafted him in the third round.