How Treylon Burks unlocked his superstar potential vs. Green Bay
Tennessee Titans rookie wide receiver Treylon Burks put the league on notice, as he burst onto the scene with a career-high 111 receiving yards on Thursday Night Football in Green Bay. Burks' 111 yard performance was just the second time all season that a Titans player has had 100 receiving yards in a game, and […]
Tennessee Titans rookie wide receiver Treylon Burks put the league on notice, as he burst onto the scene with a career-high 111 receiving yards on Thursday Night Football in Green Bay.
Burks' 111 yard performance was just the second time all season that a Titans player has had 100 receiving yards in a game, and his seven catches were the most by a Titans player this season.
After all the ups and downs of his rookie year, including his training camp conditioning issues and stint on Injured Reserve with turf toe, Burks is finally emerging as the game changing weapon the Titans drafted him to be.
Burks has shown good quickness getting off the line, allowing him to get early separation in his shallow routes. He has the speed to make a play after the catch, and finally on Thursday Night, we saw his elite ball-tracking that makes him a legitimate deep threat in man coverage.
These are the traits the Titans saw in Burks at Arkansas that made him such a compelling draft prospect. He has always had this in him, but up to this point in his NFL career, Burks had not pieced it all together with enough consistency to have major production.
So, what clicked that led to his big breakout game?
According to Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, Burks has developed trust in his coaching staff and developed an understanding of what it takes to succeed in the NFL:
"It's rewarding. I think he's building a lot of trust in us and who we are, and also understanding what this league is. This is a very unforgiving league if you're not prepared physically and mentally," Vrabel told me. "Hopefully this a good reminder of what he can do."
This comes after Burks received constant praise from the Titans' coaching staff for the work he put in to stay in shape while he was on IR with turf toe. That was a very different vibe from the one surrounding Burks in training camp.
Upon his return, Burks not only seemed more comfortable with the media, he also possessed a genuine, quiet confidence in himself and his preparation. "I feel good," he kept telling the media.
He sure looked the part on Thursday night.
Seven catches for 111 yards was just the beginning for Treylon Burks. That was the coming out party and an introduction for the rest of the league to see the player he is going to be moving froward. From the sound of things, the Titans' rookie has figured out what it takes to thrive as an NFL receiver, and with all the natural talent he possesses, things are only going to go up.
Image via Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin-USA TODAY NETWORK
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