West Virginia OLB/DE Bruce Irvin

[ATippett56]

The destruction of property charge was on St Patty's when he smacked a sign off of the top of a car going down the street.

Trouble seems to follow Bruce Irvin. His off the field troubles do not aid in his own cause at a football prospect.

 

[State]

Trouble seems to follow Bruce Irvin. His off the field troubles do not aid in his own cause at a football prospect.

See, i don't think that's fair to the faster, stronger doppelganger of Von Miller.

Until his most recent destruction of a luncheon shoppe sign, he was clean as far as I understand during his collegiate experience at West Virginia. That needs to be said, apparently.

That's a lot more than one could have said about Randy Moss at nearby Marshall.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

See, i don't think that's fair to the faster, stronger doppelganger of Von Miller.

But Irvin is so raw (as a player) compared to Miller.

When you have a player that raw, you are to a certain extent counting on the player's work ethic and desire in order to get better.

And that is where the rubber hits the road. Do you risk a first round pick on a guy with a checkered past and a history of BAD decisions? Will he do what it requires to be great or will he fall back into old patterns of bad decision making.

BB has historically collected athletes with hearts of lions that have overcome to get to where they are. (Welker, Woodhead, Slater, Cannon, etc. etc. etc.)

Now comes Irvin who some think has a well documented histroy of beating the odds while others say because of bad decisions, he CAUSED all the obstacles that he had to overcome.

Do we want that kind of decision maker on our team?

 

[ATippett56]

See, i don't think that's fair to the faster, stronger doppelganger of Von Miller.

Until his most recent destruction of a luncheon shoppe sign, he was clean as far as I understand during his collegiate experience at West Virginia. That needs to be said, apparently.

That's a lot more than one could have said about Randy Moss at nearby Marshall.

Don't be surprised if Bill Belichick does not select Bruce Irvin in any round of the 2012 NFL Draft and don't be shocked if Bill Belichick does not select an edge rusher (3-4 outside linebacker prospect) altogether.

 

[manxman2601]

Very impressive write up on Irvin. Well worth reading.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl--west-virginia-prospect-bruce-irvin-ditches-burglary--drug-game-for-shot-at-nfl.html

Almost has me sold (although not before #62).

 

[Off The Grid]

Very impressive write up on Irvin. Well worth reading.

West Virginia prospect Bruce Irvin ditches burglary, drug game for shot at NFL - Yahoo! Sports

Almost has me sold (although not before #62).

Beautifull story, Bro.

Thanks for finding that.

It's no secret that I've been a RAGING Bruce Irvin fan since back in October.

I absolutely love the kid's Story.

I'm not sure he's the best possible match up for us, but I devoutly hope it works out for him.

 

[captain stone]

The thought of Mike Vrabel as a superior edge setter that needed to be taught to rush the passer is hilarious. Keep it coming.

Word.

Didn't Vrabel become the all-time Big 10 leader in career sacks by the time he matriculated?
Do these people want to give Bill the credit for Willie Mac's & Rosie Colvin's sacks too?

What they ought to do is ask Bill how Jermaine Cunnyham's lessons are going,
and how Shawn Crable's lessons went.

 

[State]

Very impressive write up on Irvin. Well worth reading.

West Virginia prospect Bruce Irvin ditches burglary, drug game for shot at NFL - Yahoo! Sports

Almost has me sold (although not before #62).

Word is that Lovie Smith went out to Morgantown to conduct a personal interview and workout of Bruce Irvin and came back, ahem, sold.

I wouldn't be surprised if they, Chicago, went after him in the second. His physical skills are so remarkable, that I compared them to Ben Watson's, whom we had a major love fest for on draft day.

Irvin isn't as strong, and is definitely quicker. About the same speed and jumping ability. What's not to like about him in the second round? It's not as if Ben Watson set the SEC on fire as a pass-catching TE. We spend a first largely on his potential.

Ben Watson*|*Georgia,*TE*:*2004 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile
Bruce Irvin*|*West Virginia,*OLB*:*2012 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile

 

[NinjaZX6R]

Word.

Didn't Vrabel become the all-time Big 10 leader in career sacks by the time he matriculated?
Do these people want to give Bill the credit for Willie Mac's & Rosie Colvin's sacks too?

What they ought to do is ask Bill how Jermaine Cunnyham's lessons are going,
and how Shawn Crable's lessons went.

I believe he still holds the most sacks by a player record at OSU but Vernon Gholston did break his 13 year record of most sacks in a season in 2007

 

[Sciz]

Word is that Lovie Smith went out to Morgantown to conduct a personal interview and workout of Bruce Irvin and came back, ahem, sold.

I wouldn't be surprised if they, Chicago, went after him in the second. His physical skills are so remarkable, that I compared them to Ben Watson's, whom we had a major love fest for on draft day.

Irvin isn't as strong, and is definitely quicker. About the same speed and jumping ability. What's not to like about him in the second round? It's not as if Ben Watson set the SEC on fire as a pass-catching TE. We spend a first largely on his potential.

Ben Watson*|*Georgia,*TE*:*2004 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile
Bruce Irvin*|*West Virginia,*OLB*:*2012 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile

Watson had ideal size for a Pats TE. Irvin does not have ideal size for a Pats OLB.

 

[iapatsfan]

Watson had ideal size for a Pats TE. Irvin does not have ideal size for a Pats OLB.

I think you are wrong about this. Colvin was 6'3" 250, Irvin is 6'3" 245. BB went after Colvin because of his pass rushing prowess. I have mentioned it before in this thread, but I'll mention it again. The edge setting OLBs in today's NFL should be situational players only. With the emphasis of throwing the ball, the most critical thing a defense needs today is explosion off the edge and push up the middle. The Pats have the push, but they have nobody coming off the edge. Teams threw on the Patriots 60% of the time last season. What do big edge setting OLBs do for you on those plays?

Teams are always playing catch up or keep up against the Pats, and the only way to slow that is to make opposing QBs uncomfortable. The Patriots played 10 games against some of the worst passing quarterbacks in the NFL last season (see list in an earlier post), 8 of which will probably not be starting this season, and they finished 2nd to last in passing defense. This was not due to a lack of "edge setting" OLBs. It was primarily because they do not have one explosive pass rusher in their LB core.

In watching Irvin's film, I have no idea why this guy is not a projected 1st rounder. If Von Miller went #2 last year, how does Irvin get out of the 1st round? I know his back story, but I see that as a positive. The kid got out of a terrible situation, and reached the pinnacle of his field. I think he's going to be a force right away. I saw you mention Brockers in your member name section. I don't understand why folks are sold on this guy. His production is nonexistent, and he was consistently dominated while facing one on one blocking. See Alabama tape. He reminds me a lot of Marquis Hill with less production. Plays way too high, and will get dominated at the NFL level.

 

[State]

Not only that--and I agree with everything you say, iapatsfan--but a player like Poe who is figured to be a mid-first round pick solely on his size and athleticism shown at the Combine. Yet his actual playing shows him to be raw and not very interested in the game of football.

He was dominated by players, as I read on Hubble Report, who won't even be free agents.

So the athleticism of Irvin is almost dead equal to last year's second pick, Von Miller, albeit a more complete player. Let's be specific. Irvin is slightly faster and stronger. But can't leap or jump quite as high. He got a couple of dozen sacks even though his team doesn't even practice getting after the QB.

Irvin should be a late first, but he'll likely be a mid to late second. He's the best pass rusher in this draft. Period.

Have his only job be get after the QB. Make the Qb's life uncomfortable. Don't try to have Irvin do complicated things. He's no Willie McGinest, the sixth player taken by Parcells way back when. Put the signal caller in duress. Bail out the awful DBs and no-existent safeties (assuming Chung gets wang-chunged again.)

I really hope we could see a Bill Parcells value board like he did last year. I'd love to see what he thinks of Irvin. I wouldn't be upset if the Patriots traded down #27 and drafted Bruce Irvin at #31. There, I said it. I'm on record. That's probably what I'd do.

 

[captain stone]

I don't think that it's necessary to draft Irvin at 31, because I still believe that no team will touch him
until at least 48.

Does anyone know if he was invited to attend the first round in person?

 

[borg]

Little bird has whispered that Irvin is on their radar. I usually get two lists....the freak athletes that impress them (usually players gone before they pick) and players that will be Pats......Ridley last year and Spikes the year before. I'll see if I can get more right before the draft.

Before last draft
http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/13/750789-2nd-round-rb.html#post2532300
2010
http://www.patsfans.com/new-england...t-round-mock-no-trades-page2.html#post1787077

 

[State]

Wow, Borg, pretty impressive. But seeing Pierre Woods' name in one of your links nearly sent me into convulsions. I could see a mile away he wasn't starting material even though people thought I was crazy for daring to question Bill.

One of the considerations is that the Mountaineer 3-3-5 defense was a grave misuse of Irvin's talent. Playing at 235 last season with his hand in the dirt going toe to toe with 300+ OT as a DE, playing 5-7-9 technique. He showed great physicality in being asked to hold the point on most plays.

In another system his production could have been significantly higher. His motor is always running and his talent is limitless.

And Irvin has kept his weight at 245 now for two months. His recent trouble is knocking a sign off a delivery vehicle. Incredibly minor. He's turned it around and nothing's gonna stop him now.

He was a faller a week or so ago, now he's rising big time. Taking him at 31 might have to be the option if a team shortly after is going to take him. The Pats have the best reads on the other teams in the entire league.

Another player with excellent physical attributes is Iowa's Jordan Bernstine whom the Pats had for an individual workout. Great ST prospect, too. Patriots Hold Private Workout with Iowa S/RS Jordan Bernstine - Pats Pulpit

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Irvin should be a late first, but he'll likely be a mid to late second. He's the best pass rusher in this draft. Period.

I think I could make a strong case that Mercilous is the most productive pass rusher in this draft.

What Irvin is, is the most sudden pass rusher in this draft. And that trasnlate well to the NFL.

But then again being the best in any position in college does not guarantee anything in the NFL. Pacman Jones was the best college CB coming out of college a few years ago and look where his poor decision making got him!

Is Irvin the new Pacman?

 

[iapatsfan]

I think I could make a strong case that Mercilous is the most productive pass rusher in this draft.

What Irvin is, is the most sudden pass rusher in this draft. And that trasnlate well to the NFL.

But then again being the best in any position in college does not guarantee anything in the NFL. Pacman Jones was the best college CB coming out of college a few years ago and look where his poor decision making got him!

Is Irvin the new Pacman?

You could say that Mercilus was the most productive pass rusher last season. That's it. I could come back with Irvin had more sacks in two years than Mercilus had in three. I would also ask why Mercilus only had 1 sack in two seasons prior to last year. The best evidence is the film. Irvin has rare pass rush ability with cornerback-like explosion/agility and the ability to bull rush. He was impossible to block one on one, and that is the type of player we need.

I don't see any evidence that Irvin is the new Pacman, but there is no way to be sure. However, I never thought of Pacman as anything special as a player, while I believe Irvin is a very special pass rusher. I think he is worth the risk with any one of our picks.

 

[State]

I think it needs to be said over and over again that WV's D played a 3-3-5 system that is unsuited for Irvin who, at 235 LB was asked to play DE and read and react. He's got almost no sand in his pants, but obviously his strength is impressive.

I'd like to see UNC's Zach Brown do that as well. BTW, Zach Brown, who is rated above Irvin here NFL Draft Scout Rankings, From Prep to Pro Coverage - Powered by the Sports Xchange, could only start five games in 2010 when Irvin was second in the nation in sacks.

I don't get it. And I've seen people like Zach Brown, who is listed an inch shorter than Irvin, then say Irvin is undersized. When they'll both play the same position.

I don't get it.

If we could get Irvin at #48 that would be sweet. And he'll probably be available according to the predictions. But strange things happen with the draft.

 

[midwestpatsfan]

First off, love the discussion. I went back and watched the two games I had of wvu and here are my thoughts.
He has an elite burst, his first step is amazing, and he is relentless. He dips his shoulder well and has good lean at times but does not always use it to his advantage. Keeps his eyes up and knows where the ball is at all times.


He needs to be able to keep on weight and still play at a high level. Right now he is only a situational pass rusher in the nfl because he really struggles against the run. Off field issues are a concern. Do not like the arrest, even though minor, after he talked at combine about how he had changed, shows bad judgement on an epic scale to me. If olineman gets arms extended and hands on him, he cannot shed, a one trick pony pure speed rusher. Needs to develop other pass rush skills to be effective at next level.

I like him, he could be a great pass rush specialist, but even that he seems limited in. 2nd round, yes please. First round, ehhh, would like someone a little more complete who can contribute on 3-4 downs

 

[JoshScottWV]

Yes I just signed up on this site. Yes Bruce Irvin is the only reason I am posting on this site.

First I am a die hard WVU fan.
Second I know Bruce personally. I own and maintain bruceirvin.net his fan site.

Bruce is not a one trick pony. In 2010 he played on a top 10 defense. He played in a 3-3-5. Our defense that we ran under Jeff Casteel was about gap assignment, you had a gap to protect. If the QB/RB/etc came through your gap you got them, if not someone else made the play. Bruce came in on obvious passing downs in what we called the Swat package. it was essentially a 4 man front. All he was asked to do was get after the QB. He had 14.5 sacks.

Fast forward to 2011. He was made a full time DE. Bruce is undersized to be a DE in a 3 man front. Had we ran a 4 man front or more of our SWAT package he would have had a repeat of his junior year. He was double and triple teamed all year and still had 8.5 sacks.

If you go to bruceirvin.net you can see just about all his game play. He can play the run. He is stronger than most offensive lineman. He can dip under their pads and rush pass them or he can bullrush and go through them.

He ran a 4.43 at the combine but was given the "official" time of 4.5. If he would have went to any other school, which he could have coming out of JC, he would be a for sure 1st round pick.

People that talk about his past... its laughable. He was a kid and spent a couple weeks in juvie. I wonder how many people that have brought that up have had a DUI? The trouble he got into recently was BS. He accidentally knocked a car topper sign off a Pita Pit delivery vehicle. The driver knew it was an accident but some young cop made a big deal out of it. Most news outlets keep repeating the same garbage that he destroyed a Jimmy John's sign.

Bruce is very dedicated to what he does and when he puts his mind to something he gets it. He told me for months he was going to run a 4.4 at the combine and he did. Whatever team drafts him will be very happy.