Former Gator Trey Burton parlayed versatility into roster spot with Eagles
Wednesday, September 10, 2014 | Football, Women's Swimming & Diving, Scott Carter
Former Gator Trey Burton during last year's game against Georgia. (Photo: Jay Metz)
He is listed on the depth chart as the fourth tight end, but ask former Gator Trey Burton his role, and his answer sounds familiar.
Burton said he lines up some at tight end during practice, some at receiver, and some at running back. Basically, wherever the Philadelphia Eagles need him. He also plays special teams and made his NFL debut there Sunday in the Eagles' 34-17 win over Jacksonville.
“Every team is looking for a guy who can play on all special teams and be a backup on offense and eventually they will groom him into being the guy in the future,'' Burton said Tuesday. “I'm extremely excited for the opportunity. I was just trying to make the best out of it. My dream was definitely to make the 53-man roster, but my dream was also to play, and I was able to do that this week. It's just been kind of like a fairy tale.”
An undrafted free agent, Burton defied the odds when he made Philadelphia's 53-man roster. He was the only undrafted rookie signed by the Eagles in May who made the roster.
However, Eagles coach Chip Kelly and general manger Howie Roseman, a former UF student, had their eyes on Burton on draft day.
"Late in the draft, we ended up taking a couple of defensive guys,'' Kelly told reporters last week. “After we drafted Beau [Allen] in the seventh round, you look at the barrel and say, 'Who do you want?' He was a guy that was a priority guy for us.”
No surprise, Burton's versatility -- he played quarterback, fullback, tailback, tight end and receiver at Florida the past four seasons -- played a role.
Kelly's fast-paced offense uses skill players in creative ways and when you can play as many positions as Burton, you have a player who provides a lot of options.
Burton said the biggest adjustment to the NFL has been Kelly's offense, one he utilized at Oregon before taking over the Eagles last season.
“It's extremely different,'' Burton said. “Nothing like I've ever seen or heard of before. You hear about it being fast-placed -- it's extremely fast. The technique and the hand signals, there is so much you have to learn. It's definitley been one of the hardest offenses I've had to learn.
“I struggled with it a little bit, especially not coming from a no-huddle background. Coming from that to here, it's a whole new world for me. It's been fun.”
Burton's adjustment to the City of Brotherly Love has been smoother. He spent his off day Tuesday looking for a place to live and a car.
He got a taste of Philly fans' love-hate relationships with their professional sports teams Sunday.
“I really love it up here. I like the city and just the whole environment,” Burton said. “They were booing us after the second drive on Sunday.”
Burton is teammates with former Gators Jaylen Watkins and Riley Cooper, which has helped in the transition.
So have the three tight ends ahead of him on the roster: veterans Brent Celek and James Casey, and second-year pro Zach Ertz out of Stanford.
They have welcomed him with open arms.
“I've been blessed with an unbelievable tight end group that has really helped me out,'' Burton said. “They're just a bunch of good guys. They are really good on the field, but off the field they are even better. They have been awesome to me.”
Burton maintains daily contact with his younger brother, Clay, a senior tight end for the Gators, and several of his former teammates.
He is ready for another new experience this week: Monday Night Football. The Eagles play at Indianapolis on national television.
“It's prime time,'' he said. “I'm excited to see what this is about compared to a Florida-Georgia or Florida-Alabama game.”
