Big Gunner: Brian Burns had fun with his new role against the Saints

[Sir Purr]

“Just run to the ball. There ain’t much to it,” Burns said. “It was fun, honestly. I mean, those (jammers) are smaller, so they were obviously at a disadvantage. They’re faster than me, but I’m still fast.”


Burns ran a 4.53 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine, so yeah, he’s fast. And that size-speed combo is a lot to handle.


“With his athletic ability and his speed and quickness, he’s a guy who can be a benefit out there,” Rivera said of Burns lining up at gunner. “It’s a huge bonus to have a guy like that running downfield and being able to take a shot on a returner. Something good can possibly happen. We were pretty excited watching him run down.”


Burns said he got three reps at gunner during the course of the game.


“It’s something different. I like that. It was cool,” Burns said. “I’m just trying to get on the field and make something happen. That’s always my mindset.


“I’ll play receiver if I have to.”


Let’s not get too crazy. And Burns acknowledged he’d have a tough time playing receiver with a cast on one hand.


But that injured hand is getting better. On Monday, Burns said he had pins removed and maintains he’s been feeling much more like himself over the past few weeks.


Rivera liked what he saw in the 22 defensive snaps Burns had at New Orleans. The rookie added to his sack total by dropping quarterback Drew Brees for a 6-yard loss late in the game.