Rush lands top free agent lineman E.J. Burt
October 18, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
The ArenaBowl XX champion Chicago Rush landed one of the top members of the 2007 AFL free-agent class when it agreed to terms today on a one-year contract with lineman E.J. Burt.
"We just got a lot better on the defensive line," said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. "With the loss of Khreem Smith to the Minnesota Vikings, we needed to make sure we took some steps to solidify our pass rush. The ability to go out and get Burt - one of the AFL's most prolific pass rushers - gives us a chance to have a dominant pass rush next season."
"I am really excited about coming to Chicago and helping the Rush get another championship ring," said Burt. "The Rush has established a winning tradition and players around the league always talk about the great atmosphere in Chicago. I have been impressed with the way the coaching staff treats its players and the way Rush players speak of the bond that they have with the coaching staff. It is a great situation and I wanted to do whatever I could to be a part of it."
Burt (6-2, 265, West Liberty State), a four-year veteran who has played for the Orlando Predators (2003-2005) and Philadelphia Soul (2006), is one of the game's best pass rushers, recording 99 tackles, 29 sacks and 16 forced fumbles in his short career. He has ranked in the top 10 in the AFL in sacks in each of his four seasons and led the league in forced fumbles twice (2003 with 8, and 2005 with 5).
With his 29 sacks in just four seasons, Burt has climbed to 10th place in AFL history, just behind former Tampa Bay lineman Joe March with 29.5, and Rush lineman John Moyer, who ranks eighth with 34.5.
Burt was named to the AFL's All-Rookie team in 2003, after recording 31 tackles and finishing second in the AFL with 9.5 sacks. In 2005 he was named second team All-Arena, after posting 30.5 tackles and 8.5 sacks.
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