CINCINNATI -- They entered the NFL the same year, although from different angles. One calls the Cincinnati home now, while the other hails from the Queen City in Ohio and plays in the Queen City of Charlotte. They're both linebackers and although their styles of play have differences, both Vontaze Burfict of the Bengals and Luke Kuechly of the Panthers demand the attention of their opponents.
The two third-year linebackers are the hearts of their respective defenses. They'll face off for the first time Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium as the Bengals host the Carolina Panthers.
Kuechly, a 2009 graduate of Cincinnati's St. Xavier High School, was named the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2012 and the AP Defensive Player of the Year last season, joining former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor as the only players to achieve those distinctions in their first two seasons. He was the ninth overall pick in the 2012 draft out of Boston College.
Burfict's story is well known around Cincinnati. He was a first-round talent who lost the favor of scouts his senior season from mostly his own doing. He went undrafted. The Bengals signed him as a college free agent, put his feet to the fire and he's responded with play that earned him a spot on the AP All-Pro second team last season after leading the NFL in tackles.
"They're both very sudden and they're both good tacklers," said Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, who broke into the NFL coaching ranks coaching linebackers with the Steelers. "They both can make plays on the football in the passing game and they're very similar that way. They both lead their team."
Signs are good that Burfict will be back in the lineup for this game. He has missed games against Tennessee and New England after suffering concussions in each of the first two games of the season. He was listed as fully participating in practice Wednesday for the first time since leaving the Atlanta game on Sept. 14.
The defense gave up 505 yards against New England last Sunday night, the most by a Bengals team since Cleveland gained 544 yards against them on Sept. 16, 2007. Having Burfict back on the field won't cure all ills but without him the last two games the Bengals have allowed 369 yards rushing.
"It's different (without Burfict) because number one, you always hear him a lot and you know that he's there," said linebacker Vinny Rey, who has started with Burfict out. "He's good at keeping his composure and getting everyone lined up. But he'll be good for us this game."
Through the first five weeks of this season, Kuechly is the leading tackler in the NFL (according to press box stats) with 61. That includes 34 solo tackles. Look across Kuechly's stat line and only categories he hasn't filled in yet are interceptions and fumble recoveries.
"He's a very smart, savvy football player who understands the game," said Carolina head coach Ron Rivera. "He's an intelligent young man, and I think that's a big part of it. And his technique. Whoever coached him right up through high school and college did a tremendous job. We want to take credit here but the truth of the matter is when he came to us he was a pretty good product. All we've done is refined it."
This will be the first game between the Bengals and Panthers since Kuechly joined Carolina but his reputation is well known.
"He plays with great instincts so you know he puts in the time and really studies offenses," said Bengals left guard Clint Boling. "He diagnoses plays really quickly and he gets to the ball. He plays with great effort running around. He is a tremendous player. We'll have our hands full."
Kuechly and Burfict got to know each other through the draft process. Their relationship continued at last season's Pro Bowl, although they were on opposing teams.
"Vontaze and I were at the combine together, we were at the Pro Bowl together, he was trying to get me on punt," said Kuechly during a conference call with Cincinnati reporters. "I remember running down on punt a couple of times and he was trying to line me up, I think he was messing with me a little bit. If he's going to try to smoke me, I'm going to let him run by, I'm not too set on making this tackle, I'll run down and try to stay safe, I'll stay out of the way of that big dude."
Kuechly said he and Burfict talked at the Pro Bowl, and Burfict passed one important test of Kuechly's when it comes to anyone who's not native to Cincinnati.
"Of course I asked him if he liked Skyline Chili and Montgomery Inn," said Kuechly. "So as long as you like those two, you're good."
Both players are more than good.
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