Detroit Lions WR Nate Burleson happy to help rookies adjust to NFL - NFL News
Many players may take competition for their places by a young up-and-coming talent the wrong way and would refuse to help a new player likely to replace them in the future for fear of their position.
However, those thoughts do not come into the mind of Detroit Lions wide receiver, Nate Burleson.
Burleson who will face competition for his spot this year in the form of young rookie, Titus Young, is not afraid of losing his spot and wants to help Young settle into the National Football League (NFL) and adjust to its demand.
In a recent interview with NFL.com, the wide receiver talked about his reception from veterans when he first entered the league.
He said:
"When I first got in, I've seen guys handle it poorly. I remember coming in and some guys are like, 'I'm not gonna help you' because they knew the young guys were coming to take your position."
Adding further he said that the same thing won’t happen between him and Titus Young, and he wants the youngster to settle in well at the Lions so that by the time he retires Young would be ready to step up in his place.
"I told Titus, I said, 'Look. There's no question that you're brought here to take my position. That's what you're brought here to do. And by the time I'm done, you should be ready to take that and you should be on your way to a new contract. And if you're
not in those two positions, I don't think I did my job well enough.'"
That is the kind of mentality the Detroit Lions need to be successful in the future.
Last season, the franchise ended a long running drought from the playoffs after qualifying for the postseason on the back of a 10-6 record.
This year they are targeting bigger prizes and would need their rookies to be completely in sync with the rest of the team for another successful season.
Burleson last year played his role in the Lions success as he made 73 receptions for a gain of 753 yards and scored three touchdowns.
This season his snaps may be reduced but that would not bother the 10-year veteran.
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