Dialleo Burks

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dialleo Burks
px
Georgia Force — #(s) 3, 81, 88,
Wide Receiver / Linebacker
Date of birth: July 7, 1974 (1974-07-07) (age 33)[1]
Place of birth: LaGrange, Georgia
Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Weight: 195 lb (88 kg)
Arena Football League debut
2002 for the Dallas Desperados
Career history
College: Eastern Kentucky
 Teams:
*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Current status: Special teams and Fullback / Linebacker coach for the Georgia Force
Organizations
 As coach:
2008 - present Georgia Force
Career highlights and Awards
Stats at Arenafootball.com

Dialleo Burks (pronounced dee-AH-low) (born in July 7, 1974[2] LaGrange, Georgia) is a special teams and fullback / linebacker coach for the Georgia Force and former American football wide receiver / defensive back for the Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League. He played collegiately for Eastern Kentucky.

Burk has played for the Philadelphia Eagles, the Rhein Fire of NFL Europe, the Carolina Panthers, the Orlando Rage of the XFL, the Georgia Force, the Grand Rapids Rampage, and had two stints with the Dallas Desperados.

Contents

[edit] High school career

Burks attended LaGrange High School, in LaGrange, Georgia. While at LaGrange he was star wide receiver football team, and teammate of Washington Redskins cornerback Walt Harris. Burks help LaGrange earn the # 1 ranking in America by USA Today in 1991.

[edit] College career

Burks finished his collegiate career with 94 receptions for 1,430 yards (15.2 avg.) and 12 touchdowns. As a junior, he led the team with 599 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He was also a member of the schools track team, competing in the high jump. As a senior, he helped Eastern Kentucky to a 9-3 regular season record and a spot in the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs.[3]

[edit] Professional career

[edit] 1996

In 1996, Burks signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as a rookie free agent but was released at the end of training camp. He was then signed to the Eagles practice squad. However he was re-signed by the Eagles to the actvie roster on Noember 22, 1996.[4] He was inactive for the final four regular season games. Burks was active, but did not play in Philadelphia's NFC Wild Card Game at the San Francisco 49ers.

[edit] 1997

In 1997 Burks was out of football.

[edit] 1998 - 1999

In 1998, Burks was selected in the 11th round of the NFL Europe draft by the Rhein Fire, where he totaled 13 receptions for 109 yards and two touchdowns backing up league MVP Marcus Robinson. In 1999, Burks spent the spring with the Rhein Fire of NFL Europe, leading the team with 32 catches for 656 yards and five touchdowns. In Fire's World Bowl VI win over the Frankfurt Galaxy, he had two catches for 35 yards, both for touchdowns.[5][6][7]

[edit] 1999-2000

Burks then signed with the Carolina Panthers on July 13[8], but was released at the end of training camp. He was immediately signed to the Panthers practice squad, where he remained until December 29[9] when he was signed to the active roster for the season finale against the New Orleans Saints, however he was inactive for the game.

In total, Burks was a member of the Panthers for four games, playing in one, in 2000 when he returned one kickoff for 25 yards[10], before being waived on October 3, 1999.

[edit] 2001

In 2001, Burks played for the Orlando Rage of the XFL, helping them to an 8-2 regular season record[11] by catching 34 passes for 659 yards and seven touchdowns.[12] His 19.4 yard-per-catch average led the league by a yard and his touchdown total was tied for second in the league. [13] In week one of the XFL season Burks caught three touchdown passes from Rage quarterback Jeff Brohm.[14]

Burks was signed by the Oakland Raiders on July 27, 2001.[15] But was later released. Burks was then re-signed by the Carolina Panthers on August 13, 2001.[16] He was however released on September 3, 2001.[17]

[edit] 2002

In 2002, Burks made the transition to indoor football, by signing with the Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League. In his rookie season, he led the team with 54 catches for 677 yards and 16 touchdowns before suffering a fractured wrist against the Indiana Firebirds that ended his season.

Burks opened his AFL career by posting a game-high 130 all-purpose yards at the Carolina Cobras, totaling 86 yards and a touchdown on five receptions, 36 yards on a kickoff return and eight yards on a missed field goal return. He followed that with seven catches for 58 yards and a touchdown at the New Jersey Red Dogs and five catches for 43 yards and two touchdowns against the Los Angeles Avengers. At the New York Dragons, Burks tallied a team-high 58 receiving yards and two touchdowns on five receptions. He caught a season-high 11 passes for 135 yards against the Arizona Rattlers. Burks recorded had another good game at the San Jose SaberCats, catching nine passes for a career-high 164 yards and a career-high five touchdowns while returning four kickoffs for 60 yards. For his effort during the month of May, 30 receptions for 400 yards and nine touchdowns and eight kickoff returns for 89 yards, he was named AFL Rookie of the Month. He began June with five catches for 59 yards and a touchdown and two kickoff returns for 14 yards at Los Angeles. Despite fracturing his right wrist during the game against Indiana, Burks caught seven passes for 74 yards and three touchdowns. He was placed on Injured Reserve on June 11, and underwent surgery to repair the wrist the next day.

[edit] 2003

After missing the second half of his rookie season with a broken wrist, Burks returned to the field in 2003 and set franchise single-season records in receptions (102), receiving yards (1,226) and touchdowns (28).

In the season opener against the Dragons, Burks finished second on the team with six catches for 72 yards and a touchdown. Against the Chicago Rush, he caught a game-high nine passes for 74 yards and two touchdowns before catching a career-high 12 passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns while posting his first tackle and pass defensed at Arizona. He caught a season-high three touchdown passes among five receptions for 30 yards against the Colorado Crush and finished third on the team with four catches for 48 yards. At the Cobras, he tied for second on the team with five catches for 67 yards, includinga 42-yard touchdown grab, while returning two kickoffs for 10 yards. Against the Indiana Firebirds, he caught five passes for 88 yards, including a 40-yard touchdown catch. He also returned two kickoffs for six yards and recovered a Will Pettis fumble and returned it for a one yard touchdown. He was named the game's MVP and Co-Offensive Player of the Week after leading the team with seven catches for 135 yards and a career-high tying five touchdowns against the San Jose. He continued his hot streak the next week at Indiana with seven catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns. Against the Avengers, he led the team with eight catches for 83 yards and two touchdowns while returning one kickoff 17 yards. On a nine-yard catch in the second period, Burks passed the 1,000 receiving yard mark for the season. He caught seven passes for 45 yards and four touchdowns against the Tampa Bay Storm before finishing second on the team with five catches for 61 yards - including a 28-yard touchdown catch at the Georgia Force. He played as a Wide Receiver / Linebacker in the season finale at the Grand Rapids Rampage and posted five receptions for 59 yards and two touchdowns. Burks saw action in his first career playoff game against Georgia, and finished with six catches for 89 yards and a franchise postseason record-tying three touchdowns.

[edit] 2004

In 2004, Burks signed with the Georgia Force and went on to earn the team's Ironman of the Year award after making the switch from Offensive Specialist to Wide Receiver / Linebacker. He finished the year with 73 catches for 1,075 yards (second best in team history) and 18 touchdowns while posting 25.5 tackles, nine pass breakups and two picks on defense and returning six kickoffs 61 yards.

In his Force debut against the Dragons, Burks caught four passes for 72 yards and recorded one tackle.[18] He added 1.5 tackles, a pass breakup and five catches for 61 yards at the Storm. Against the New Orleans VooDoo, Burks recorded his first two touchdowns, eight and 45 yards, with Georgia, finishing the game with three catches for 69 yards. He caught seven passes for 76 yards and a touchdown at the Avengers. Against the Gladiators, Burks had five receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown and added two tackles on defense. At the Predators, he posted a season-high 3.5 tackles and one interception, and was named Player of the Week[19], and then, four catches for 53 yards and a touchdown before catching one pass, a 30-yard touchdown, at Indiana. Against the Storm, Burks caught three passes for 43 yards and a touchdown before catching seven passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns at the Detroit Fury. He posted back-to-back six-catch games at the Wranglers for 79 yards and against the Predators for 79 yards before adding three catches for 80 yards and two touchdowns at the SaberCats. Burks posted season-highs in receptions (eight), receiving yards (104) and touchdowns (three) at the Columbus Destroyers. He recorded six receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown at the VooDoo before recording a season-high 3.5 tackles and adding a catch for a 41-yard touchdown against the Wranglers. In the season finale against the Cobras, Burks had four catches for 91 yards and two touchdowns.

[edit] 2005

Burks's 2005 season, his second with Georgia, was slowed due to injury. Due to those injuries he played in only four games, recording just 18 catches for 180 yards, one tackle and one interception before being traded to Grand Rapids. With the Force, Burks returned to health and recorded 34 receptions for 382 yards and seven touchdowns. He earned Defensive Player of the Game honors in the home opener against the VooDoo after recording just his third career interception and a pass defensed. Burks also added three catches for 41 yards. He posted three catches for 25 yards at the Avengers before being placed on Reserve/Injured on February 10 with a hamstring injury. Burks returned to play against the Destroyers, recording six catches for 46 yards. He added six catches for 68 yards with a tackle at the Dragons before returning to the Reserve/Injured list with the same hamstring injury.

Burks was traded to the Grand Rapids Rampage on March 30 in exchange for WR / LB Chris Jackson. In his first game with the Rampage, he saw limited action against the Nashville Kats and posted two catches for 20 yards. At the Gladiators, Burks caught three passes for 42 yards while adding a tackle and a pass break up. At the Force, he caught three passes for 45 yards and his first Rampage touchdown while also recording an assisted tackle. Burks caught four passes for 54 yards with a tackle and a pass breakup against the VooDoo. Against the Crush, he recorded season-highs with nine catches for 100 yards and two touchdowns. He added three receptions for 17 yards, one touchdown and two tackles at the Kats. At the Rush, he added two touchdowns and 44 yards on three catches before ending the season with seven catches for 59 yards and a touchdown against the Avengers.

[edit] 2006

With the loss of Bobby Sippio in free agency, the Desperados signed Burks in the fall of 2005 to complete the starting receiving corps. Burks ranked in the top five in all career receiving categories in Dallas franchise history: receptions (4th - 156); receiving yards (5th - 1,904); and touchdowns (5th - 44), when he returned to Dallas.

In 2006, Burks finished with his highest number of touchdown catches (29) and his second highest totals for receptions (93) and receiving yards (1,130). He added seven runs for 20 yards and two touchdowns. Burks was named Player of the Game for the Desperados 55-48 win over the Las Vegas Gladiators, for his, 10 catches, 114 receiving yards, four touchdown receptions, one rushing touchdown, performance.[20][21] In the Desperados 54-46 win over the Rattlers, Burks had, two touchdown catches.[22] In the Desperados 82-38 win over the Dragons, the second of the season, Burks had five receptions for 75 yards and one touchdown, one rush for one yard for a touchdown, three tackles.[23] In the Desperados 59-66 loss to the Columbus Destroyers in National Conference Divisional Round, Burks had one touchdown catch.[24]

[edit] 2007

In 2007, Burks finished fifth in receiving for the Desperados with 18 receptions from 243 yards, averaging 13.5 yards per reception, and nine touchdowns. He also recorded 3.5 tackles. The reason for the low total statistics is the fact that Burks returned to school, but was kept on the teams "availability list" as a precaution.[25]

In the Desperados week 15, one point win over the VooDoo, Burks had six receptions for 79 yards averaging 13.2 and four touchdowns.[26]

[edit] Career statistics

Career Statistics Receiving
Year Team G Rec Yards Y/R TD
1996 Philadelphia Eagles 0 0 0 0 0
1998 Rhein Fire -- 13 109 8.4 2
1999 Rhein Fire -- 32 656 20.5 5
1999 Carolina Panthers 0 0 0 0 0
2000 Carolina Panthers 1 0 0 0 0
2001 Orlando Rage 10 34 659 19.4 7
2001 Oakland Raiders* 0 0 0 0 0
2002 Dallas Desperados 8 54 677 12.5 16
2003 Dallas Desperados 17 102 1,221 12.0 28
2004 Georgia Force 16 73 1,075 14.7 18
2005 Georgia Force 4 18 180 11.3 0
2005 Grand Rapids Rampage 8 34 371 10.9 7
2006 Dallas Desperados 18 92 1,130 12.3 29
2007 Dallas Desperados 5 18 243 13.5 9
Total 76 389 4,897 12.6 107
*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Total stats are ONLY the Arena Football League, NOT XFL, or NFL Europe
Career Defensive Statistics
Year Team G Tack Solo Ast Sack FF FR Int Yds TD Pass Def.
1996 Philadelphia Eagles 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1998 Rhein Fire -- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1999 Rhein Fire -- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1999 Carolina Panthers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2000 Carolina Panthers 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2001 Orlando Rage 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2001 Oakland Raiders* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2002 Dallas Desperados 11 4 4 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
2003 Dallas Desperados 14 2 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
2004 Georgia Force 12 18 3 15 0 0 0 2 38 1 8
2005 Georgia Force 6 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 10 0 1
2005 Grand Rapids Rampage 5 4 0 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 2
2006 Dallas Desperados 18 16 14 2 0 1 1 4 24 0 1
2007 Dallas Desperados 5 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 76 47 18 29 0 2 2 7 72 1 13
*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Total stats are ONLY the Arena Football League, NOT XFL, or NFL Europe
Career Statistics Return Statistics
Year Team G Ret Yards Y/R TD
1996 Philadelphia Eagles 0 0 0 0 0
1998 Rhein Fire -- 0 0 0 0
1999 Rhein Fire -- 0 0 0 0
1999 Carolina Panthers 0 0 0 0 0
2000 Carolina Panthers 1 1 27 27.0 0
2001 Orlando Rage 10 0 0 0 0
2001 Oakland Raiders 0 0 0 0 0
2002 Dallas Desperados 11 14 153 10.9 0
2003 Dallas Desperados 14 10 82 8.2 0
2004 Georgia Force 12 6 61 10.2 0
2005 Georgia Force 6 0 0 0 0
2005 Grand Rapids Rampage 5 0 0 0 0
2006 Dallas Desperados 18 6 42 7.0 1
2007 Dallas Desperados 5 22 387 17.6 1
Total 76 36 338 9.4 1
*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Total stats are ONLY the Arena Football League, NOT XFL, or NFL Europe

[edit] After football

After retiring from football, Burks became the Special teams and Fullback / Linebacker coach for the Georgia Force, in 2008.

[edit] Personal life

Throughout his professional career Burks has helpped support the community he played in. During his first stint with the Desperados Burks served as a celebrity guest coach at the Dallas Cowboys Let Us Play! Sports Camp for underprivileged girls. he and wife Patricia have two daughters, Kennedy and Payton, and a son, Dialleo, Jr.

[edit] References

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Dialleo Burks Grand Rapids Roster
  2. ^ Dialleo Burks Grand Rapids Roster
  3. ^ http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A06E1D61639F937A35751C1A962958260 FOOTBALL; [Youngstown State Reaches the I-AA Semifinals]
  4. ^ Eagles Transactions
  5. ^ Battle of the Back-ups June 14, 1998 Rhein Fire 34 - Frankfurt Galaxy 10 Waldstadion, Frankfurt, Germany
  6. ^ World Bowl '98 Sunday 14 June, 1998 Waldstadion, Frankfurt
  7. ^ Rhein Beat Frankfurt in German Derby Part 3: World Bowl '98
  8. ^ 1999 Player Transactions
  9. ^ 1999 Player Transactions
  10. ^ Dialleo Burks
  11. ^ Extinct Sports Leagues X Football League (2001)
  12. ^ Extinct Sports Leagues X Football League (2001)
  13. ^ Extinct Sports Leagues X Football League (2001)
  14. ^ Xcitement in Week One XFL Kicks Off Inaugural Season
  15. ^ 2001 NFLE transactions
  16. ^ 2001 NFLE transactions
  17. ^ 2001 NFLE transactions
  18. ^ New York Dragons vs Georgia Force (Feb 08, 2004)
  19. ^ Georgia Force's Dialleo Burks named Defensive Player of the Week
  20. ^ Desperados hold off Gladiators, 55-48
  21. ^ Las Vegas Gladiators game notes 02/28/06
  22. ^ Rattlers Downed by Desperados, 54-46
  23. ^ NEW YORK vs DALLAS (May 12, 2006)
  24. ^ Destroyers stun Desperados, 66-59 07/07/2007
  25. ^ Desperados seal win with big sack | Weatherington comes up with big play to stop two-point conversion
  26. ^ AFL Scoreboard - Week 15 New Orleans VooDoo 79 at Dallas Desperados 80

[edit] External links