Bengals rookie linebacker Burfict a quick study, still has work to do

Vontaze Burfict has had a solid start to training camp, but the true tests for the Bengals rookie linebacker begin on Friday.

Burfict and those on the third team should see a lot of snaps as the Bengals open the preseason against the Jets at Paul Brown Stadium. Burfict said there will be a lot of early butterflies but that everything should settle down after the first play.

“You can’t get too excited. You don’t want your emotions to take control,” he said. “I’m just going to go out and do what I have to do and take care of what the coaches tell me to do.”

Coach Marvin Lewis has said that Burfict is off to a great start. He had an interception during last Sunday’s Black/White Mock Game and has been making the defensive calls with the third unit.

There weren’t many doubts about Burfict’s athleticism, but the areas where he has surpassed expectations are demonstrated patience in picking up the defense and in keeping his emotions in check on the field.

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