Vontaze Burfict: Talented Linebacker Isn't Worth the Headache

Vontaze Burfict was one of college football's most feared players over the past two seasons, but thanks to his on- and off-field issues, the middle linebacker isn't worth the trouble he'll cause an NFL franchise in the future.

Burfict has excellent instincts for the position and plays with intensity, but he lets his emotion get the best of him and that often leads to problems. According to Scouts Inc., he was flagged for 17 personal fouls in 35 games at Arizona State. 

In 2010, Burfict's troubles controlling himself boiled over when he head-butted Oregon State quarterback Ryan Katz and was barred from starting the Washington game.

In 2011, he was benched during the Cal game after being called for two personal fouls. He was also not allowed to start in the MAACO Bowl for undisclosed reasons. 

The problem with Burfict is that he is rarely prepared. He showed up at the NFL Scouting Combine looking out of shape and performed terribly in drills and interviews. He ran the slowest 40-yard dash of any linebacker in attendance (5.09 seconds), and turned scouts and executives off with his attitude.

Burfict allegedly called all of his on and off-field problems at ASU misunderstandings, or just simply blamed others. 

The NFL Network's Mike Mayock and I agree on Burfict's on-field issues. He relies far too much on his pure talent and isn't actually great at diagnosing plays or making the right reads.

He is a powerful hitter, but the problem is that he often tries to load up and make a big hit and misses when a solid tackle would have done the job just fine.

He also leads with his head constantly and leaves his feet when attempting to load up and lay into opponents. Neither of those things would fly in the NFL.

This week, a team will roll the dice on Burfict and add him to their roster. But that will be a huge mistake.

The amount of maintenance and development that he needs will be a waste of an NFL franchise's time. There are other players who will come to work and commit themselves to getting better, rather than just skating by.

Burfict's personality reminds me of Maurice Clarett's when he entered the league. Some guys just don't get it and never will. Burfict is just not worth the headache.