Burnett ready to start ‘new beginning’ with Als
It’s always puzzling when a player leaves a contending team as a free agent to sign with one that, in the most charitable sense, is rebuilding.
Finances aside, veteran defensive back Joe Burnett said it was time for a change following three seasons with the Calgary Stampeders — the Canadian Football League’s most-dominant team the last two seasons, albeit with no Grey Cup championships to show for its superiority.
“For me, personally, I wanted change. At my age, losing back-toback … I wanted a new taste and start. I didn’t leave Calgary on the best of terms,” the 31-year-old said Monday.
Burnett’s final season with the Stamps was bizarre. He started at strong-side linebacker. But then he fractured his ankle and lost his starting job to Shaquille Richardson. Some head coaches — the late Don Matthews was one — vowed a starter would never lose his job through injury.
Burnett returned for the West Division final, only to be benched for the Grey Cup. He remains unsure why this transpired, but admitted “it kind of left a bad taste in my mouth.
“I wanted a new taste, start and feel,” added the native of Eustis, Fla. “I felt like it was the right choice. Start a new beginning.”
It didn’t hurt that Montreal general manager Kavis Reed was Burnett’s head coach in Edmonton when he came to the CFL in 2011, after being a fifth-round draft choice of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2009 and spending two seasons in the NFL.
Signing with the Als also reunited Burnett with defensive coordinator Rich Stubler, the two having worked together at both Edmonton and Calgary. So Burnett was already familiar with the defensive concepts.
“I knew (the Als) were building, starting things over and I wanted to be a part of it,” said Burnett, 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds. “Put my hand in the pile and be that vocal leader, that veteran presence in the secondary.”
Burnett has played every position in the secondary except safety, which is where Stubler has had him lining up. Versatility, of course, is paramount in the CFL and Reed has overhauled his defence, especially the secondary, through free agency.
“I’m putting my trust in (Stubler),” Burnett said. “I’m glad to be under his watch. I trust his play-calling and judgment. He’s a smart guy with a great resumé. If I can be the quarterback of this defence, I’m licking my chops.”