2012 NFL Draft: Browns Actually Have 'Zero Interest' in Vontaze Burfict

Contrary to a report that surfaced earlier today, the Cleveland Browns have "zero interest" in Arizona State linebacker Vontaza Burfict, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.  

The earlier report linked the Browns to the Arizona State linebacker who is plummeting down draft boards a mere eight months after he was widely regarded to be a first-round pick at the start of the college football season.

Burfict's porous combine coupled with an underwhelming junior season have many wondering whether he'll even be drafted, a far cry from his projection in September and October.  

He ran a 5.07 40 and managed just a 30-inch vertical jump, calling into question his explosiveness and speed to be an effective linebacker in space at the next level.

Moreover, Burfict, as described by Sports Illustrated's Tony Pauline, is known to be a "loose cannon" both on and off the field.  He had a string of personal fouls penalties during his Arizona State career that drew attention to his game in a negative fashion, such as the one seen in this video.

The report that the Browns were interested in Burfict did little to satiate a fanbase desperate for winning in the near future, as the team certainly can ill afford to take a risk on players who few see as capable of thriving in the NFL.

And whether the Browns' future yields positive results, it appears—for now—that Burfict will not be a part of it.