Silver and Black Report

DERRICK BURGESS

• DEFENSIVE END
• No: 56
• Height: 6’2
• Weight: 260
• Birth date: 08/12/1978
• College: Mississippi
• Acquired: Signed as an Unrestricted Free Agent during the 2005 off-season (3/12)
• Pro-Bowl Selections: 2005, 2006
• NFL All-Pro Selection: 2005

Derrick Burgess has been one of the best free-agent signings in Oakland Raiders history.

The Silver & Black inked the former 3^rd round draft choice of the Philadelphia Eagles to a five-year deal worth $17.5 million, including $6 million in bonuses during the 2005 off-season. The then unrestricted free agent had a slow start to his career due to injuries that derailed any opportunities to show off his pass-rush potential. A broken foot in 2002 needed two surgeries to repair and in 2003, an Achilles tendon tear in practice kept him sidelined the entire season.

Upon his arrival in Oakland, Burgess terrorized opposing quarterbacks, playing in all 16-games in 2005, starting 12, and tallying 50 solo tackles, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. But what earned Burgess his first Pro-Bowl selection was his NFL leading 16-sacks.

He broke Sean Jones team record for sacks that season, clinching that honor by tacking down New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning in the regular season finale.

Burgess was honored again the following season with another Pro Bowl bid. He compiled 11-sacks in 2006 as a full-time starter and team captain.

In 2007, a nagging calf injury hindered him throughout the pre-season, which kept him out of action in two out of the team’s first four games. Burgess compiled his 8-sacks in Oakland’s remaining 10-games after gradual healing as the season progressed.

Burgess is currently one of the league’s best edge rushers, utilizing his speed and quickness to provide the Oakland front-four with a dynamic presence that changes the complexity of their defense when he is at the top of his game.