if they hadn't gotten avril and bennett they would probably have kept irvin as the other end in pass rushing downs. I think with the dt rotation they still would have been ok..but ok might not have been as successful. for naysayers blasting this, irvin did have 8 sacks last year when paired with clemons on the other side. who's to say if coaching was completely geared towards being a de rather than learning lb coverage and stuff he couldn't have had another good year in year 2. regardless, i'm glad it turned out how it did because if for some reason they don't retain bennett, with the growth irvin has had as a lb this year he would probably be able to split time in the lb rotation and also as a de and now be able to handle coverage responsibilities from the de position if they throw different looks at opposing offenses. Even if they didn't bring in any other lb's next year smith and irvin could rotate at that third lb spot.
