Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict had a three-game suspension levied against him for repeated violations of player-safety rules, but his new coach thinks very highly of him.

"He's got great instincts. I understand he's very, very smart," Bengals linebackers coach Jim Haslett said Friday, via Geoff Hobson from the team's official website. "He's very powerful. He's one of the best tacklers I've seen in a long time. Just watching tape and not having met him yet, he's one of the top linebackers in the National Football League."

Burfict's suspension was triggered by his illegal hit to the head of Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown during their wild-card tilt. Brown suffered a concussion and has been ruled out for Sunday's AFC divisional-round game.

The 25-year-old finished the regular season with 74 tackles, one sack, and two interceptions in 10 games.

"The stuff off the field, I think that comes with age. He'll grow out of some of those things," Haslett said. "Not knowing him, it's hard for me to say, but I know things get blown up. From what I've seen on the field, he's dynamic and I really like him. He's smart, instinctive and a heck of a player. I hope I can do whatever I can to help him out and make him better."