Monday, February 27, 2012
By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
INDIANAPOLIS -- Vontaze Burfict, one of the top inside linebacker prospects at the NFL Scouting Combine, might already have something in common with James Harrison. At Arizona State, where he got into a fight with a teammate and was suspended for throwing punches in a game, Burfict was named the meanest man in college football.
Dont'a Hightower would like to have something in common with Harrison. Such as, play between him and LaMarr Woodley. The inside linebacker from national champion Alabama lists those two players among his favorite linebackers in the NFL.
Burfict and Hightower have questions to answer and something to prove at Lucas Oil Stadium, but for much different reasons. Burfict (6 feet 3, 248 pounds) wants to prove he is not the bad guy he is portrayed to be, especially after a senior season at Arizona State in which he battled teammates, coaches, officials and his weight. His test will come in interview sessions with coaches and general managers, not in physical drills.
Hightower (6-2, 265) will have his exam on the stadium floor today when linebackers run and work out at the combine. He has to show he is not bothered by a severe knee injury that ended his 2009 season.
The Steelers have something of a sense of urgency at inside linebacker and will likely be looking for one in the early rounds of the draft in April, perhaps with the 24th overall pick. They met with Hightower at the combine, but they need more research and are not sold on either player.
"I just know I'm the best linebacker in this draft; I know I can get the job done," Burfict said. "I played average [last season]. I could've played better. That's what hurt me at times. The coaches kind of messed me up. I didn't know if I would start a game or be benched. It hurt me, but I tried to fight through it."
Literally.
Burfict got into a fight with a teammate that started on the practice field and carried into the locker room. Burfict said he was pushed first and retaliated by taking a swing at his teammate. He was also suspended for a game after throwing punches at two separate players in a game against Oregon State.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12058/1212928-66-0.stm?cmpid=steelers.xml#ixzz1nd4w0GTN
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I saw Hightower play a few times and that dude is a beast!!
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F@(k Wallace.. Throw it to Miller
