Bruce Irvin Proving To Be A Quick Study

Watching the college film on Bruce Irvin it looked like his game was all about speed. He was simply too fast for the college level competition, he didn’t need any other moves. That wont be case in the NFL, so to reach his potential Irvin will need to develop some additional pass rush moves. It seems that is happening fast than anyone expected.

In practice Irvin was working against Right Tackle Breno Giacomini. He was rushing to the outside over and over, and noticed that Giacomini was cheating to the outside to try and negate Irvin’s speed rush, so Irvin crossed up Giacomini. He started to the outside with a half-step to get the tackle moving, then crossed back to the inside getting a clean path the QB for what would have been an easy sack.

It might seem like an obvious thing for a guy like Irvin to do, but I never saw anything like it on the tape from him in college. He’s learning these moves right now, and this one appears ready for Sundays. What was so impressive was the timing. Irvin’s change of direction came right when Giacomini’s feet were in just the right part of step to make his response as slow as it could be.

Make no mistake, Giacomini is no pushover. He was given a contract befitting a starter because he’d earned it last season. By the end of the season he has developed into an above average tackle. If you’re still thinking of him as the roster-filler player he was when the Seahawks signed him, then you’re mistaken. Giacomini is a solid NFL starter.

Irvin has been getting all the snaps with the first team defense, and is clearly taking full advantage of the opportunity. “It’s just expanding my game,” Irvin said after the practice, “Trying to get more moves instead of just using the speed rush. And also to work on my hands more and become more a technician, instead of being so raw.”

It just really feels like he gets it, and is going to be a special player.