Vontaze Burfict came to the Bengals five years ago as a middle linebacker but rose to NFL prominence as an outside linebacker. He’s always been the middle linebacker on passing downs but now that it appears Kevin Minter (elbow) is going to be out a second straight game, he’s going to stay in the middle on all downs after the defense again cleared the way for another win Sunday.
Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther has no plans to take him out of there any time soon.
“Now he's just playing MIKE, and that's what he loves,” Guenther said Monday after watching tape of the 24-23 victor over the Colts.