1) Introduction: Burnett came into the season as an established veteran in the Packers’ defensive backfield. He was instrumental in helping along young defensive backs Micah Hyde and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Burnett also made a huge strides in his run support.

2) Profile:

Morgan Burnett

Age: 26

Born: 1/13/1989 in Memphis, TN

1/13/1989 in Memphis, TN Height: 6’1″

6’1″ Weight: 209

209 College: Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech Rookie Year: 2010

2010 NFL Experience: 5 years

Career Stats and more

3) Expectations coming into the season: Entering his fifth NFL season, Burnett was expected to turn the corner in his career and become the safety the Packers drafted him to be. The alternative staring him in the face was to fizzle out and be replaced at year’s end. With youngsters Micah Hyde and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix battling for the other starting safety spot, Burnett was to be a mentoring presence. After a dismal showing by the Packers safety group in 2013, Burnett was looked upon to lead the charge in improving the output from the position in 2014.

4) Player’s highlights/low-lights: It could be debated that Burnett had his season’s high and low moments in the same game: the NFC championship game in Seattle. After logging the Packers’ fourth interception of the day with just four minutes left in regulation, Burnett was given the signal to give himself up and go to the ground, thereby preserving the possession and giving the Packers a chance to run out the clock. Because that call apparently came from the sideline, I can’t completely fault Burnett for it. Instead, I’m going with his having just three tackles and zero passes defensed in 58 total snaps against the Miami Dolphins as his season’s low-light. His highlight was securing the pick of Russell Wilson late in the conference championship game, only his second of the entire season. Burnett also had two sacks in that game.

5) Player’s contribution to the overall team success: Burnett turned in a solid 2014 season. He vastly improved in his run stopping skills and was key in several goal line stands throughout the year. He deserves credit for helping develop rookie Clinton-Dix. Overall, Burnett played well enough to offer encouragement about his manning the defensive backfield for several seasons to come.

6) Player’s contributions in the playoffs: Burnett had a rather quiet showing against the Dallas Cowboys but had a key interception that should have led to the Packers sealing a huge underdog win to send them to their second Super Bowl in four years. By sliding and giving himself up, Burnett was going along with the team’s game plan and was playing selflessly. Without securing the interception, who knows what would have happened. Overall, Burnett did more good than harm and certainly earned the captain’s “C” on his jersey.

7) Intangibles: Burnett continues to mature and ingrain himself as a top veteran presence on the roster. Showed a lot of resolve in bouncing back after a lousy 2013 season. Dealt well with adversity.

Season Report Card (Player Grades):

(A-) Level of expectations met during the season

(B+) Contributions to team’s overall success.

(B) Contributions to team during the playoffs

Overall Grade: B+

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Jason Perone is an independent sports blogger writing about the Packers on AllGreenBayPackers.com

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