He’s a real ball-Hawk
SEATTLE – Watching Nate Burleson when the football lands in his hands is like watching an addictive TV show.
You know something’s going to happen. You just don’t know what that twist of fate is going to be. And you can’t turn your eyes away from the drama and suspense.
Will he take it all the way on a return? Will he spin and make a tackler miss after a catch and take it to the house? Will he get hit hard or fumble? How will he celebrate a good play?
It’s that unpredictability that keeps you fascinated. It’s Burleson’s ability to make a play at any moment that keeps you tuning in, and what has made the fifth-year receiver and Seattle native so popular.
“As a veteran you learn what not to do and what to do,” Burleson said. “Every day is just a learning experience. Every game is.”
Let’s not forget those celebrations – flapping wings or pretending to apply sunscreen – which he did after a touchdown at Arizona last season.
If you think Burleson makes plays with panache in games, check out his off-field personality: ebullient; rarely without a smile; easygoing; expressive; a fashion plate with his designer suits.
“Laid back, cool, friendly, just a good guy,” teammate Courtney Taylor said. “Family-devoted guy, gives back to the community, takes his job seriously, comes here ready to work every day, looks out for us young guys, I can keep going all day.”
The thing about Burleson is that he was the same person last season, even when he was the fifth receiver after coming to the Seahawks in free agency.
But he bided his time and found a place as the return specialist late in the season.
An injured thumb affected his ability to catch the ball. But by season’s end, the thumb was feeling better and Burleson excelled in the return game so much that he was named a Pro Bowl alternate.
This year, Burleson dedicated himself to being more a part of the offense, and it showed in how he played in training camp. The Seahawks put D.J. Hackett at the top of the depth chart at split end when camp started, but Burleson pushed Hackett hard for the starting spot.
Hackett won it, but was injured early in the opener. Now the job is Burleson’s, starting Sunday in Arizona, in addition to his returning duties.
“I kind of look forward to just doing something special,” Burleson said. “It’s rare that you get a guy that can go out there and balance both. I’m looking forward to a game where I can score as a returner and a receiver.”
The Seahawks haven’t had this dynamic of a return threat in the Mike Holmgren era since Charlie Rogers was drafted mainly for that purpose in 1999.
Burleson had a 90-yard touchdown return against St. Louis last November and averaged 24.7 yards per return on kickoffs, the highest in team history since Rogers had the same average in 2000.