Should Irvin stay at LB?

[RolandDeschain]

I'm with Tical, way too early to tell thus far, but if he keeps up like this then ABSOLUTELY.

 

[chris98251]

Irvin, hybrid DE converted to LB, Aaron Curry can't miss prospect at LB.

Irvin picked way to high, only led rookies in the league in sacks, Curry adjusting to the game his first year, he will improve and get better, still learning the game and getting better, watches from a TV set to see the whole filed these days, God has a purpose for him, Tebow brings the sancks as they learn the game.

Irvin should make strides as he learns to use lanes and cut off portions of the field with experience, always a threat to come off the edge, he will learn to disguise his intentions better as well. Could morph into a Peterson type LB.

 

[nwgamer]

I was seriously concerned that his coverage skills would be close to nil. I am very surprised at how fast he is picking up on new skills. Impressive so far. I am sure that learning his coverage skills while working with our cast of talent is a huge asset for Bruce. I say keep up the good work. Oh, and of course he is going to have more tackles this year... he's playing LB, that's his new job.

 

[hawker84]

He's been far more effective at linebacker than he ever was at DE except for the GB game IMO. I like what i see at this new position for him, and expect big things out of him down the stretch...

 

[jlwaters1]

I was seriously concerned that his coverage skills would be close to nil. I am very surprised at how fast he is picking up on new skills. Impressive so far. I am sure that learning his coverage skills while working with our cast of talent is a huge asset for Bruce. I say keep up the good work. Oh, and of course he is going to have more tackles this year... he's playing LB, that's his new job.

It's actually not a new skill. He played safety in junior college so he's had coverage experience in the past. I wasn't nearly as concerned about his coverage ability as many on here because he's played in coverage before- albeit at the JC level.

 

[RiverDog]

Absolutely he should stay at LB. I wasn't all that impressed with his play as a DE. He had all of two moves, a sprint to the corner and a bull rush. No swim or spin moves to get around a tackle once he locked him up. Once offensive tackles figured him out in the second half of last season, he was a non factor in our defense, and his move to Leo in the Atlanta game was a dismal failure. He couldn't get off blocks when he lined up in a two or three point stance. He was used sparingly last year, in pass rush situations only. He was a bust waiting to happen IMO.

But he's shown one heckuva lot more potential at LB and we're now using him on all 3 downs. He's actually making tackles on running plays. That interception made him look as if he's been playing the position for 10 years. I simply love the move.

 

[Happypuppy]

I am very happy with his play and he is getting better. Will he be another clay Mathews ? We will see. Personally I think Von miller potential.

 

[Greenhell]

I don't have proof to show but this morning on NFL Network the scrolling news on the bottom of the screen had a quote from Irvin stating that being shifted to LB has saved his career.

 

[HawkEye]

Absolutely! His speed gives him a major advantage at LB

 

[dbmack]

I don't have proof to show but this morning on NFL Network the scrolling news on the bottom of the screen had a quote from Irvin stating that being shifted to LB has saved his career.

I saw it in several articles yesterday. Here is one of them.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... my-career/

“I tell (linebackers coach) Ken Norton (Jr.) everyday ‘you saved my life. You saved my career making me a linebacker.’ I thank him every day and I just got to keep working hard to make him feel like he made the right decision,” Irvin said.

 

[RiverDog]

I don't have proof to show but this morning on NFL Network the scrolling news on the bottom of the screen had a quote from Irvin stating that being shifted to LB has saved his career.

I believe that, too. IMO he was a bust in waiting at DE. The ability to move around and come at different blockers from different angles has really helped him and he looked like a natural out there in pass coverage. This time next season he'll be another Clay Mathews.

 

[MizzouHawkGal]

If you guys are comfortable with comping him to Matthews, I am confident that I wasn't insane in believing that interception isn't made by any LB currently playing as I said upthread.

 

[Axx]

Based off that interception i think he should be in the LoB

 

[RiverDog]

If you guys are comfortable with comping him to Matthews, I am confident that I wasn't insane in believing that interception isn't made by any LB currently playing as I said upthread.

There's other linebackers that can make that play. It's the fact that Irvin looked so natural in doing it and that it's only his 4th game at that position that I'm impressed with. If his current trend continues, he'll be playing at a Pro Bowl level by this time next season.

 

[MontanaHawk05]

His coverage skills from playing safety in college and his speed from the second level (only a step below Earl) are huge assets to this defense.

 

[hangumhi]

He plays a hybrid LB/DE. I'm likeing everything I'm seeing from it.

Ya I like what I'm seeing; he's got speed to cover and proved he has good hands and his hips have awesome movement. I like how they're playing him; walking him up to the line as an extra stand up DE and using his speed to drop back into coverage...it'll be headaches for offenses to plan for. Really smart coaching! That's what I love about the hawks and Pete especially; he and his staff have a great mind for body mechanics and they're able to see past a players physical appearance and previous positions and see potential...it's fun to watch and it contributes to players wanting to play for the hawks because Pete and his staff may find multiple opportunities for you if you're an athlete.

 

[scutterhawk]

His coverage skills from playing safety in college and his speed from the second level (only a step below Earl) are huge assets to this defense.

Funny that you mention Earl, because Irvin did say that because of ET, that he was able to make that interception, as Earl saw the play developing, and told Irvin that the pass was coming his way, and Irvin gave him the credit for he (Irvin) getting that interception.
I truly believe that Irvin will benefit hugely from the move to LB, and I think Earl Thomas will continue to have a big influence on helping him to use his instincts, size, speed, and athleticism to develop into a monster LBer.

 

[firebee]

I'm loving Irvin at LB. He seems to be making a way bigger impact there, he's a great matchup in coverage physically and he's blazing fast. I think Irvin will be a Demarcus Ware type player after a year or two at the position.

 

[RiverDog]

This thread ain't no fun. Too much agreement.

 

[Seahawkfan80]

As someone posted in this thread, switching him off and on from LB to DE will mess up defenses. They will not know what is coming at them. If there was a way to make several people like that happen...What a dance the game would be. Great tidings to all this weekend.