If anything, awesome article on Bruce Irvin.
This guy has the tools to be a tremendous SAM linebacker if he has the drive to take himself there.
Talking replacement value, Bruce Irvin at 255-260 pounds is probably still one of the fastest defenders on the team, and considerably faster than K.J. Wright (245, but theoretically i'd put Wright at 238-240 since his transition to WLB). While Irvin and Wright have similar lower body strength both posting around 10 feet in the Broad and 34 inches in the Vert. However, Irvin did put up 3 more reps in the Bench to Wright's 20.
Also, Irvin has Defensive Back quality foot work and change of direction ability with an awesome 4.03 20-Yard Shuttle, and incredible 6.7s 3-Cone at 245 pounds coming out of WVU. The 4.03 time ranks only behind Winfield (3.95), Margagos (3.98), Toomer (4.00), and Christine Michael (4.02).
Note that Harvin and Thomas did not participate in these drills.
Irvin's 6.70 ranks only behind Margagos (6.52), Baldwin (6.56) and Michael (6.69). If Blackmon remained with the team, he had a 6.69 but I doubt he still would be as athletic, older and with an injury history.
So when Norton refers to Irvin as being "natural", I can believe it given Irvin's elite athleticism at 245+ pounds. He looked solid vs GB sifting through traffic and he had a great tackle on the ball carrier as well.
Even in coverage, Irvin's athleticism is so overwhelming, if he learns to have great recovery speed, he's going to make plays even against the most athletic TEs. Considering his length 6'3 with 33 inch arms and 33.5 vert and size growth to 255 plus Irvin's DB background I wonder if the Seahawks are developing Bruce to be the answer to the big, athletic TE.
With that said Bruce Irvin has a long way to go and a lot of raw ability to polish, and hopefully with experience and age his instincts wills gradually become better because imo he has all the tools to be an elite dominating player.