NAPA – Vontaze Burfict has taken firm control of this Raiders defense. The veteran middle linebacker established himself as a scheme authority this offseason, a title earned thanks to years spent running Paul Guenther’s scheme in Cincinnati.
Players have been asking Burfict to watch film together, so they can approach his firm grasp of the system. They listen to him during practices and, at times, coaches let Burfict call defensive plays for full periods at a time.
Burfict can also be demanding of those around him, as we saw during Thursday’s training camp practice.