AFC Notes: Jermaine Burton, Zaโ€™Darius Smith, Bengals, Browns, Ravens

Bengals

Bengals WRs coach Troy Walters said heโ€™s been pleased by WR Jermaine Burton this year and heโ€™s assuring the rookie receiver his time in the lineup will come.

โ€œHeโ€™s made plays since heโ€™s been here when the ball comes his way,โ€ Walters said, via Geoff Hobson of the teamโ€™s site. โ€œNot playing was somewhat the details and all that. But a lot of that was the guys in front of him. Andrei (Iosivas) is playing well. Tee (Higgins) and Chase and he understands. I always told him to be ready. He was getting a little frustrated not playing. I always told him itโ€™s a long season. Your time is going to come and when it comes you have to be ready to make plays and he made a play in the last game.โ€

Joe Burrow said Burton shows some veteran ability to get open and thinks he just needs to translate that into their offensive structure. 

โ€œHe does the little things within the route to get open like a vet does. You donโ€™t have to teach him to separate,โ€ Burrow said. โ€œHe knows how to do that. You just have to teach them how to do it within the structure of the offense. And thatโ€™s the process that every rookie goes through. Heโ€™s smart enough and willing to learn that heโ€™ll get to that point. Heโ€™s going to be a really good player. Iโ€™m excited to be a part of it.โ€

Walters said Burton is improving his connection with Burrow and understanding what the quarterback is looking for. 

โ€œThe receiver has to know what the quarterback is expecting on each route. Itโ€™s just consistency from a preparation standpoint, from a practice standpoint,โ€ Walters said. โ€œAs a receiver, you always want to give the quarterback confidence that you know what to do, where to line up, you know the route. Heโ€™s getting better and better each day at that.โ€

  • Ian Rapoport reports that Burton is a healthy scratch after missing the team walkthrough on Saturday.
  • Bengals HC Zac Taylor said he is concerned the injury suffered by rookie TE Erick All is a serious one. (Kelsey Conway)
  • Taylor also commented on WR Jermaine Burton being inactive, saying it was necessary and that no further punishment is expected: โ€œWe have to handle all our business in the right way.โ€ (Paul Dehner Jr.)

Browns

Ravens

  • Ravens HC John Harbaugh on RB Derrick Henry, who reached 100 career rushing touchdowns in Week 9, becoming the tenth player in NFL history to do so: โ€œDerrick Henry is different. Heโ€™s adding a dimension that we havenโ€™t had before.โ€ (Jamison Hensley)
  • Henry gave credit to his offensive line for the accomplishment: โ€œI give the credit to the guys who are blocking and making my job easier.โ€ (Jeff Zrebiec)
  • Ravens QB Lamar Jackson on his connection with WR Zay Flowers: โ€œI have chemistry with all of those guys. Itโ€™s a pick-your-poison offense.โ€ (Zrebiec)

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