Derrick Burgess Sat Out With 'Personal Reasons'

When Patriots' training camp started, and Derrick Burgess was a no-show (forcing the team to place him on the Did Not Report list), early reports were that the linebacker was considering retirement. That wasn't the case though, says Burgess, who showed up over the weekend and was reinstated by New England. He says he was at home, dealing with a "personal situation."

"I just had a personal situation going on," Burgess answered. "I had to take time to take care of, and me and Bill (Belichick talked) about it, and he just told me to take my time and get my stuff together."

Burgess, entering his second season with the Patriots, did not elaborate past that, only adding, "I'm happy to be here. I'm glad they allowed me to come back after taking care of my personal business."

Patriots Reinstate LB Derrick Burgess After He Decides Not To Retire

In Friday's bad news that Ty Warren would miss the 2010 season was the good news that LB Derrick Burgess would not retire and that the Patriots reinstated him from the reserve/did not report list.

Not surprisingly, the team did not comment on what prompted Burgess to change his mind and decide not to retire, with Bill Belichick saying, "I think that's between Derrick and myself."

Pats Pulpit says that Burgess' decision is "certainly positive."

If Burgess is ready to give 100%, then he becomes a big bonus for the Patriots pass rush.  Heading into camp, I expected Burgess to start opposite Tully Banta-Cain in the 3-4 alignment.  Now, I'm thinking Burgess goes back to his 2009 role as a top pass rusher in sub-packages and on third downs.  Jermaine Cunningham has shown a lot as an every down outside linebacker and in pass coverage, so I think he may be the "starting" outside linebacker.

'Nothing Imminent' Between Patriots And DE Adewale Ogunleye

Over the weekend, the Patriots brought in defensive end Adewale Ogunleye for a work out, seemingly as a possible replacement should Derrick Burgess decide to retire. However, according to CSNNE's Tom Curran, who cites a "league source," there is "nothing imminent between the Patriots and Ogunleye."

Adewale Ogunleye Works Out For Patriots, Possible Derrick Burgess Replacement

Derrick Burgess still has not reported to Patriots training camp, and the speculation remains that he is considering retirement. New England is wasting little time to ready themselves and already are have opened a search for a potential replacement at outside linebacker. 

On Sunday, the Patriots brought in former Bears defensive end Adewale Ogunleye for a work out, according to Pro Football Talk and ESPN's Adam Schefter. While there has been no decision made regarding the 32-year old, he would obviously add depth to the Pats' defense, especially if Burgess does opt for retirement.

Personally, I think that Oguleye would be a solid pickup who could rack up the 5-7 sacks the Patriots need at the outside linebacker position.  While Ogunleye is a little long in the tooth, he hasn't recorded less than five sacks since 2001, and has prototypical outside linebacker size at 6-4, 260 pounds.

In 2009, Ogunleye recorded 6.5 sacks in 14 games with Chicago. He has recorded at least that number of sacks in six of the past eight seasons.

Patriots Training Camp: Derrick Burgess Placed On Did Not Report List

After Derrick Burgess unexpectedly did not show up to the first day of training camp on Thursday, the Patriots (very expectantly) placed him on the Did Not Report List.

As such, while Burgess apparently is contemplating retirement, he will not count against the 80-man roster.

Before practice on Friday, Bill Belichick met the media, and addressed the Burgess situation.

"Of course, Derrick wasn't here yesterday," Belichick said before he was asked about it. "We expect him to be here. He's not here. But his situation isn't unprecedented. We'll deal with it going forward. I'm not sure I know all I need to know, but we'll take it day-by-day."

For all things Patriots, read more at Pats Pulpit.

Derrick Burgess Reportedly Considering Retirement From NFL

As we mentioned earlier, linebacker Derrick Burgess was not present at the morning practice on Thursday as the Patriots opened training camp. Now, we might know why.

According to ESPN's Len Pasquarelli, Burgess, entering is ninth year in the NFL, is considering retirement. The Patriots traded for Burgess from the Raiders in 2009, and then signed him to a one-year, $1.5 million deal this past offseason.

Sources said that, as recently as Wednesday, Burgess told associates that he was leaning toward retirement. Those same sources indicated, however, that Burgess could still change his mind about his immediate future. Patriots officials have been apprised that Burgess may retire.

Burgess, 31, played all 16 games with the Patriots in 2009, recording 35 tackles and five sacks. He received high marks from coach Bill Belichick for his play late last season.