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Patriots Free Agency Outlook, Linebackers

Steve Balestrieri
Steve Balestrieri Senior Writer · PatsFans.com since 2011
Feb 18, 2016 at 7:45 am ET · 5 min read · 2.7k views
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5 min read Patriots Commentary

Bruce Irvin
Irvin has been a very productive player for the Seattle Seahawks during the recent run of success. He’s logged 22 sacks in the past four years and can get after the quarterback, drop into coverage and do a great job on tight ends and is very solid in the run game.

He’s a sure tackler who wraps up and hits hard. And remember as soon as he went down in Super Bowl XLIX against the Patriots, Tom Brady began targeting the other Seahawks LBs with Rob Gronkowski to great effect.

But fast forward to this year’s Super Bowl and teams were watching Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware terrorize the Panthers with their speed and pass rush off the edge that left the #1 scoring team in the league grasping at straws. That’s why teams will be lining up to sign Irvin. He can flat out get after the quarterback and the rest….just gravy.

Irvin has hinted that he’d take less to remain a Seahawk but another favorite to land him would be his hometown Atlanta Falcons and reunite him with coach Dan Quinn. Bidding will go fast and furious on Irvin and could reach the $10 million-dollar per year threshold. Which would put New England right out of the running.

Would Irvin be a fit in New England? Absolutely. He’d be a fit just about anywhere with his skill set, and while his coming here may be a bit of a pipe dream, the team should do their due diligence and kick the tires on him and see if there was a way they could work a deal.

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About Steve Balestrieri
Steve Balestrieri

A former US Army Special Forces NCO and Officer, Steve has been following the Patriots since their days at Fenway Park. Steve has worked in the film industry and wrote as an Military Editor at SpecialOperations.com, 1945.com as a reporter for the Millbury Daily Voice, Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, and the Grafton News. He's also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)

View all posts by Steve Balestrieri
Tags: 2015 NFL Season 2015 Patriots 2016 free agents 2016 NFL off-season 2016 Patriots Roster 53 Man Roster Projection Bill Belichick Bruce Irvin Danny Trevathan Darius Fleming Dekoda Watson Dont'a Hightower Jamie Collins Jerod Mayo Jonathan Bostic Jonathan Freeney Kevin Snyder New England Patriots NFL Patriots Patriots linebackers Rob Gronkowski Rolando McClain Shea McClellin Tom Brady

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