Nate Burleson “quietly had a good training camp”
By Mike Dyce
Detroit Lions players stepped up and help turn the team around right from the jump by beating their divisional foe, the Minnesota Vikings, in the season opener. Aside from the incredible 191 all-purpose yard performance from Reggie Bush. Another player who stepped up and got less attention was wide receiver Nate Burleson.
Burleson had six catches for 78 yards while filing in for Ryan Broyles in the slot. Broyles is still out with a knee injury.
“We had talked a lot about needing contributions from a lot of different guys, and Nate was one of those guys,” Schwartz said, via the Detroit Free Press. “He sort of quietly had a good training camp.
“Again, read whatever you want into preseason games, but you know when it was a real game he was in the right spots. The quarterback got confidence in him and he made the plays. We expect that from Nate. That’s why he’s here.”
Last season Burleson was on pace for 72 catches when he broke his leg, instead he played 6 games and caught 27 passes for 240 yards. The 72 catches would’ve been on par with his 2011 season where he caught 73 passes for 757 yards. You could expect those types of numbers from Burleson if he stays healthy and involved in the offense.