Fourth round draft pick LB Miles Burris made a statement in 2012 and proved he belonged in the NFL.
Burris, a San Diego State alum that grew up in nearby Granite Bay, Calif., enjoyed a successful rookie season with the Raiders. The 6'2", 240-pound linebacker took advantage of veteran injuries during training camp and took all of the first-team reps at middle linebacker, proving he was ready for his NFL debut against the Chargers on Sept. 10.
The rookie LB played in all 16 games, with 15 starts. He finished the 2012 season among the NFL's rookie leaders in both defensive snaps (867) and total tackles (138, 84 solo). Those 138 tackles were the most by a Raiders rookie since at least 1994, when tackles stats were first kept consistently. He rounded out his defensive statistics in 2012 with 1.5 sacks, four QB pressures, 13 QB hits, 6.5 tackles for loss, one interception, three passes defensed and one forced fumble.
Breakout Performances
On October 21, against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Burris enjoyed one of the best games of his early career as the Raiders shut down the Jags in the second half of the 26-23 win. He posted his first NFL sack, dropping Chad Henne for a 10-yard loss. Earlier in the game, he applied pressure on Henne to force a fourth-down incompletion and give Oakland possession.
In Cincinnati, on November 25, the rookie posted season highs in total tackles (14) and solo stops (11) on the road against the Bengals. He also played a key role in a goal-line stand early in the fourth quarter.
