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NFL Rankings: 10 Best Linebackers in the League

By Phil Watson

Dec 22, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) reacts in the fourth quarter. The Panthers defeated the Saint 17-13 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) reacts in the fourth quarter. The Panthers defeated the Saint 17-13 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 22, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals outside linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) against the Green Bay Packers at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 22, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals outside linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) against the Green Bay Packers at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /

56. . . Cincinnati Bengals. Vontaze Burfict. 7. player

Vontaze Burfict has come a long way from the guy who was an undrafted free agent out of Arizona State just two years ago.

Burfict had some problems while in college that drove his draft value down drastically. Boy, are the Bengals glad that happened, particularly after Burfict led the NFL with 171 tackles last season. He also had three sacks, six pass breakups, an interception and a forced fumble.

That came off a rookie season in which he started 14 of 16 games and had 127 tackles, a sack and two pass breakups.

Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis compared Burfict to another middle linebacker he coached, a guy named Ray Lewis.

“I thought Vontaze had those qualities really early on,” Lewis told the Dayton Daily News. “He was one of the best players I had seen after his first practice. I told him he was going to be a very good player. He’s not disappointed me.

“He has the ingredients of what a great NFL player for a period of time can be. They’re innate to him.”

New defensive coordinator Paul Guenther is building his defense around Burfict.

Heady stuff for a guy nobody wanted on draft day two years ago.

Next: The Man in San Fran

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