Keith Burns Excited To Return Home To Virginia ASHBURN – An Alexandria native who has made his home in Northern Virginia for the past two years, Keith Burns was thrilled to have the opportunity to interview to be the Redskins’ special teams coordinator after the season ended. His meticulous preparation paid off. Burns was named to the position in mid-February and reunited with Mike Shanahan, for whom he played six seasons and was a special teams captain. “He blew me away in his interview – how organized he was, his teaching progression,” Shanahan said. “He’s very organized with his thoughts. He has a very solid scheme. He’s got a lot of passion and enthusiasm for what he does, and that’s why we hired him.” Burns retired in 2006 and was immediately named an assistant special teams coach by Shanahan, and he remained in the role when Shanahan was fired by the Broncos in 2008. He’ll replace Danny Smith, who was the Redskins’ special teams coordinator since 2004 but left to take the same role in Pittsburgh, his hometown. Smith is revered by players and coaches, and Burns said he doesn’t feel like he has big shoes to fill in Washington. In fact, Smith has, for several seasons, offered to serve as a mentor of sorts for Burns, inviting him on many occasions to watch film and talk strategy. “I never really got that opportunity, but having that even presented to me spoke volumes,” Burns said. “I think you know, my approach would probably be a little different because they’re hearing a different voice, but that’s what’s it’s gonna be. I think at the end of the day, I just have to get the guys to believe in what I’m teaching.” Burns spent much of the Redskins’ offseason workouts, which ended last week, getting to know the players and installing his schemes. It won’t be until rosters are finalized at the end of the preseason that Burns knows who will play which specific roles, but the positions he has the most control over – kickoff and punt returner – are wide open. Brandon Banks, who has been the Redskins’ primary return specialist the last three seasons, did not sign a new contract. Richard Crawford, Niles Paul, Santana Moss, Evan Royster and a few undrafted rookies rotated into return roles during spring workouts. “It’s always going to be the best man who will win that position,” Burns said. “What we’re looking for is a guy who can catch the ball cleanly and get up the field. We’re not looking for a guy that can go out there and think that he has to win the game every time he touches the ball. It’s about being consistent with the ball in your hand and giving the ball back to our offense.”
Posted on: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 05:00:44 +0000
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