"We're all looking for the Bruce Irvin in this draft"

[Trrrroy]

Found this little blurb from Kirwan over at CBSsports interesting: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/pat-k ... -big-moves

On Cornelius Washington:

He had a solid week at the Senior Bowl and an even better Senior Bowl game yet he came to Indy as a sixth- or seventh-round player. He can rush the passer and he just ran 4.50. He is moving up draft boards. One defensive coordinator said, "This is the kind of guy I came to Indy to find. Now I'll go back and study him. We're all looking for the Bruce Irvin in this draft."

This board has been pretty down on Irvin since the Falcon's game but it appears the league thinks highly of him, so much so that they're actively looking for his twin in the draft.

 

[HawkFan72]

That's pretty cool. Sounds like at least one team in the league was impressed with him.

Devil's Advocate: How much do you want to bet the D-Coordinator is Bob Babich in Jacksonville, now that he has Todd Wash and Gus Bradley on both sides of him? haha

 

[Trrrroy]

That's pretty cool. Sounds like at least one team in the league was impressed with him.

Devil's Advocate: How much do you want to bet the D-Coordinator is Bob Babich in Jacksonville, now that he has Todd Wash and Gus Bradley on both sides of him? haha

That did pop into my mind but the optimist in me chose to block it out.

 

[Hawks46]

This board was pretty down on Irvin because we're fans.

I don't want to even think about how many fans have called guys a bust after one year. Hell, after half a year. I've seen it after 2 or 3 games.

By all accounts Irvin works very hard, and knows he has a lot to work on technique wise. There's nothing to think he won't progress next year.

People were really down on Browner after his first year, calling him the weak link in the secondary and the most expendable player on defense.

 

[chris98251]

Well the teams in the league are now studieing our defense, our offense, our draft technique and stealing away front office personnel.

Ya think we have been noticed yet?

 

[kearly]

Great topic and article. I am now going to shamelessly rip this off and post an update for it on SDB.

In all seriousness, I noticed Washington before the drills even started today. As soon as I turned on my TV I was staring at this guy with arms so big he could beat Robert Turbin in a Mr. Universe competition. I thought "holy shit that guy's ripped." Then of course watched as that same guy dominated the combine. Really sucks there isn't game footage on him. Physically/athletically he reminds me a little of Brian Orakpo.

One defensive coordinator said, "This is the kind of guy I came to Indy to find. Now I'll go back and study him. We're all looking for the Bruce Irvin in this draft."

Assuming that quote isn't from Dan Quinn himself (which would be neat), my interpretation of that statement is that he's referring to how Irvin vaulted up draft boards last year after a good combine. Everyone is looking for that mid-to-late round guy that is actually a 1st round athlete.

 

[NYCoug]

We just need to be patient with Bruce. I think he'll develop into an excellent LEO. It's tough, but we've got to remember that a guy like Max Unger didn't look like a Pro Bowl Center from day one. By comparison, Irvin had a much more successful rookie season that he can now build off of. Plus, he's now got Dan Quinn on board to help teach him some things.

I know he didn't look the part in the Falcons game, and believe me I too was expecting much more from him, but that doesn't mean that he's a finished product. Not by a long shot. I still think he ends up being a beast at LEO and don't think we really need to try and find one for the long haul. Having said that, I'd still draft Washington in the mid rounds as another weapon to have in the pass rush. You can NEVER have enough pass rush, and that's a fact.

 

[Scottemojo]

We just need to be patient with Bruce. I think he'll develop into an excellent LEO. It's tough, but we've got to remember that a guy like Max Unger didn't look like a Pro Bowl Center from day one. By comparison, Irvin had a much more successful rookie season that he can now build off of. Plus, he's now got Dan Quinn on board to help teach him some things.

I know he didn't look the part in the Falcons game, and believe me I too was expecting much more from him, but that doesn't mean that he's a finished product. Not by a long shot. I still think he ends up being a beast at LEO and don't think we really need to try and find one for the long haul. Having said that, I'd still draft Washington in the mid rounds as another weapon to have in the pass rush. You can NEVER have enough pass rush, and that's a fact.

The thing is, if Bruce Irvin never becomes a good run stopper, he is still a good pick. This offense is only going to get better and better, and a serious quarterback mover is of extreme value because of that.

 

[Schadie001]

In my humble opinion. Irvin was really hurt by us not having a strong interior pass rush. Bruce was having success when Jones was pushing the pocket. Once he went out it seemed like the QB's could easily step up while both Clemons and Irvin were pushed to the outside. DE just isn't our biggest need, we need a beast DT who can pressure QB's and make them back up. Irvin will feast on them if this happens.

 

[NYCoug]

We just need to be patient with Bruce. I think he'll develop into an excellent LEO. It's tough, but we've got to remember that a guy like Max Unger didn't look like a Pro Bowl Center from day one. By comparison, Irvin had a much more successful rookie season that he can now build off of. Plus, he's now got Dan Quinn on board to help teach him some things.

I know he didn't look the part in the Falcons game, and believe me I too was expecting much more from him, but that doesn't mean that he's a finished product. Not by a long shot. I still think he ends up being a beast at LEO and don't think we really need to try and find one for the long haul. Having said that, I'd still draft Washington in the mid rounds as another weapon to have in the pass rush. You can NEVER have enough pass rush, and that's a fact.

The thing is, if Bruce Irvin never becomes a good run stopper, he is still a good pick. This offense is only going to get better and better, and a serious quarterback mover is of extreme value because of that.

So true Scott. I think he'll develop though. I mean, who knew Clem would turn into the player he is now when he first got to Seattle? John and Pete, that might be it. And even they're probably pleasantly surprised by the way things have turned out. Same goes for Golden. Look at what he's on the verge of possibly becoming and then think back to all the people that wanted him cut before the final preseason game in 2011! Yeah, you don't want it to take that long for a guy to develop but hey, it beats him washing out of the league and never doing anything for the team.

But yeah, I agree 100% Scott. Even if Bruce is a finished product, a 1 trick pony who can only get after the QB, that's still a valuable skill that this team needs desperately and a skill that's helped many a team hoist the Lombardi trophy.

 

[Treefiddy]

In my humble opinion. Irvin was really hurt by us not having a strong interior pass rush. Bruce was having success when Jones was pushing the pocket. Once he went out it seemed like the QB's could easily step up while both Clemons and Irvin were pushed to the outside. DE just isn't our biggest need, we need a beast DT who can pressure QB's and make them back up. Irvin will feast on them if this happens.

Agreed. Good post

 

[LawlessHawk]

In my humble opinion. Irvin was really hurt by us not having a strong interior pass rush. Bruce was having success when Jones was pushing the pocket. Once he went out it seemed like the QB's could easily step up while both Clemons and Irvin were pushed to the outside. DE just isn't our biggest need, we need a beast DT who can pressure QB's and make them back up. Irvin will feast on them if this happens.

I also believe this to be the case. In my opinion IT ALL starts with at least one beast controlling and pushing the middle and creating havoc, that guy is in every O-linemans head before every snap and even if he's not their assignment he's in their peripheral vision. That guy makes every other guy on the defense that much better and their jobs that much easier... We get that guy and Bruce Irvin gets more sacks.

 

[3Girls'HawkDad]

Irvin looked like a rookie last year at the LEO, too much thinking not enough instinct.

I am expecting great things from the man this year. When a QB stepped out of the pocket, Bruce was on him like stink on a monkey. His speed will allow him to become the ultimate LEO. Pass rush, and quickly close the edge and knife through for TFLs.

 

[loafoftatupu]

I agree with the previous posts about Irvin being affected by the DLine play. Look what happened to Aldon Smith when Justin Smith went out.

The other thing I see is the use of video now that he has a season under his belt. The staff will work with him and have situational footage of what he does well and where he struggled as they try to give him technique.

 

[loafoftatupu]

Irvin looked like a rookie last year at the LEO, too much thinking not enough instinct.

I am expecting great things from the man this year. When a QB stepped out of the pocket, Bruce was on him like stink on a monkey. His speed will allow him to become the ultimate LEO. Pass rush, and quickly close the edge and knife through for TFLs.

So true, as when RG3 dropped back to the outside, Irvin was a mile from him, on the ground. BI then got up and made a laser shot at him. Aikman said "no way does RG3 get caught if he is healthy". I beg to differ, if you see that play again, RG3 didn't even have time to consider moving as Irvin covered that ground like a lightning bolt.

The Hawks will address the DLine injuries/play and Irvin will benefit from it.

 

[RolandDeschain]

It's tough, but we've got to remember that a guy like Max Unger didn't look like a Pro Bowl Center from day one.

It's probably because we never tried using him at center. Once we did, he shined.

 

[NYCoug]

It's tough, but we've got to remember that a guy like Max Unger didn't look like a Pro Bowl Center from day one.

It's probably because we never tried using him at center. Once we did, he shined.

True, Unger was a guard, but that's even more of a reason why not to give up on Irvin's potential as the future LEO in this defense. Good catch though on the Unger at center thing. :th2thumbs:

 

[therealjohncarlson]

It's tough, but we've got to remember that a guy like Max Unger didn't look like a Pro Bowl Center from day one.

It's probably because we never tried using him at center. Once we did, he shined.

My claim to fame on these boards is I remember when Mora was being a complete idiot and playing him at guard, I remember starting a thread like,

"Unger played center at college, and is playing guard now, he is struggling at guard so why don't we try to move him back to center?" lol.

And I remember a lot of people were actually trying to justify his move to guard, saying his body was right for that position and he just sucked as a player lol.

 

[seahawksTopGear]

Have you seen margus hunts numbers at the combine?

6'8" 277 pounder that belts out a 4.6 40 and unreal bench numbers. Does not even know how to spell football.

He is my bruce irvin in this draft. If both him and Zach (my current choice for seahawks number 1 pock) are still there at 25 I have to give thiscmonster the edge.