The first thing people want to know about Bruce Irvin is how many snaps he’ll take in Seattle. Pete Carroll claims he can play 600-700 snaps initially in the Raheem Brock role, but others have argued that Brock featured in around 550 snaps. Either way, Irvin can still have an impact at 500 snaps.
Before San Francisco’s week-16 meeting with Seattle in 2011, Aldon Smith had featured in 446 snaps. That was 377 less snaps than defensive rookie of the year Von Miller and 267 less than JJ Watt. Smith still managed to accumulate 13 sacks, 12 quarterback hits, 30 quarterback pressures and two forced fumbles. In comparison, Miller had 11.5 sacks, 19 quarterback hits, 28 pressures and three forced fumbles, despite playing nearly twice as many snaps. Watt had 4.5 sacks, eight hits, 24 pressures and two fumble recoveries. Stats aren’t everything, but it goes to show how Irvin won’t necessarily be required to play even 2/3’s of the team’s snaps to have an impact.
And that’s just as a rookie. If the plan is for Irvin to eventually replace Chris Clemons as the full time LEO, he’ll one day play the majority of the defensive snaps. A lot of people have criticised the nature of the pick, questioning how often Irvin will feature and what impact he’ll have. The Seahawks want their version of Aldon Smith, even if their version isn’t quite so orthodox. As John Schneider told Adam Schein today, “We thought there was a good chance the Jets were going to take him at 16. If we walked out without him, it would’ve hurt. If you like a guy, get him. 12, 15, 28.”
Schneider also called Irvin the best edge rusher in the draft.
In reviewing Irvin’s 2011 season, I wanted to study the Pittsburgh tape first . It was a close game, won with a defensive stop in which Irvin recorded two sacks on the final Pittsburgh drive. Due to all the talk of Irvin being a specialist, I wanted to tally each of his snaps to see what kind of situations he was used.
First down snaps: 13
Second down snaps: 12
Third down snaps: 18
Fourth down snaps: 0
That’s 42% of his snaps on third down, 58% in first and second. Break it down further and 67% of those snaps were in a position of 1-10 yards for a first down. 56% of those snaps were in a position of 6-10 yards for a first down. 33% were in long yardage situations of 11-20 or 20+ yards.
I decided to compare this to a Quinton Coples game (Miami vs North Carolina). Coples is considered more of a prototype pass rusher, indeed, Pete Carroll referred to him as a ‘classic’ defensive end in his pre-draft press conference. However, UNC spelled Coples a LOT. It was interesting that against both Miami and Georgia Tech, he was being taken out of key drives for Donta Paige-Moss. I wanted to see what situations Coples was used in comparison to Irvin – after all, he went one pick later and would’ve been considered by an uninformed media to be a better pick.
First down snaps: 9
Second down snaps: 8
Third down snaps: 7
Fourth down snaps: 0
It’s difficult to compare one game against another, particularly when West Virginia’s meeting with Pittsburgh went down to the wire and the Miami vs North Carolina game was a one-sided affair. However, Coples’ total snaps in the game (24) were one snap greater than the number Irvin took on first and second down alone (23). Irvin had specific duties within the WVU defense and was taken out of certain situations. Coples was just generally spelled in and out whatever the down and distance, for no obvious reason other than rest. And the Miami game wasn’t the exception.
Coples has the frame you’d expect from a top NFL defensive lineman. But when you break down the numbers – whether it’s snaps, pressures, sacks – Irvin comes out on top. So if you’re looking for an impact rusher who can play in space, Irvin makes a lot more sense than Quinton Coples. The Seahawks were looking for an impact rusher who, one day, will play in a permanent role as the team’s LEO.
I admit I was never a big fan of Coples because the 2011 tape was just so disappointing. I wrote this article in October arguing he wasn’t a top pick, at a time when most people believed he’d go in the top five or ten. Coples in Seattle would’ve satisfied the masses, but in Seattle’s scheme he’d likely end up becoming the next failed defensive lineman traded in two years for a throwaway pick. Irvin may be a specialist in the purest sense, but he generally took more snaps for WVU and is much more likely to have an impact in Seattle’s scheme.
Let’s break down the tape. I’ve highlighted some key plays from the video above:
0:18 – Lined up at right end, just off the line in what looks like a comparable role to the LEO. Irvin is well blocked by the left tackle as Pittsburgh run to the right hand side.
0:31 – Another three man front with Irvin back on the right side. He engages the left tackle before spinning back around to release. He sniffs out the QB draw and makes the tackle for a short gain.
0:37 – Same position on the right in a three. Tackle dominates Irvin and shoves him to the ground. Pitt also sends the left guard to double team on another QB run.
0:55 – Same position on the right of a three. Same LT/LG double team which stones Irvin’s edge rush.
1:04 – Same position again. Irvin reads the run, anticipates and makes the tackle.
1:09 – Misreads the run this time and allows the QB to scramble to his left and make a positive gain on second down. Looked a little confused by the call.
1:17 – Short yardage situation where Irvin lines up on the left as an edge rusher. He sprints around and makes a leaping tackle on the ball carrier. Impressive speed to be the guy who makes the tackle in that situation.
1:39 – Back on the right side and this time he bull-rushes the left tackle with some success, as the WVU line dominates to collapse the pocket and get an interior sack. Pitt sends the guard on a double team again and WVU are able to exploit the attention Irvin’s getting on
the edge with a designed blitz, sending two off the edge to confuse the guard and bringing pressure up the middle.
2:02 – This play best emphasises the folly of using Irvin in a three man front. He’s forced to take on multiple blockers, running through traffic up the middle. Really, you want this guy permanently attacking the edge. He played at 220lbs last year, and he’s taking on 300lbs lineman stood next to each other at the LOS. How is he expected to win in this situation?
2:17 – Here’s the problem Irvin will always have against the run, especially in the three man front used by WVU. He’s being asked to set an edge, with no interior help. He cannot absorb the right inside to force the ball carrier wide. It’s a free big gain on the ground for Pitt and surprisingly they don’t exploit this more in the game. The ball carrier simply runs through the huge gap in the defensive line when Irvin engages the right tackle.
2:55 – This is what Irvin does – persistent hussle at the LOS. He pushes off the right tackle twice and beats him with a decent punch. The running back chips in support, but Irvin dodges him and still locates the ball carrier to help bring down the quarterback on a scramble.
3:03 – Irvin actually does a good job setting the edge here versus the run, holding position then disengaging to make the play. Despite his size, he can compete with bigger lineman.
3:27 – Irvin lines up in space on the left. He jukes the right tackle out of the play and only a shove from a supporting guard stops him making the big play. He set the tackle up on the previous two runs on this side, running out of the play to make the double move inside. The guard does well to avoid the big play.
3:40 – Designed blitz. Irvin lines up on the left again. The middle and weak-side linebackers shows blitz but drop into coverage, the three defensive lineman rush. Then the weak-side linebacker rushes. By the time he sets off, the right tackle and running back are both absorbing Irvin. The right guard, without anyone to block, immediately turns his eyes to Irvin. With three blockers effectively concentrating on Irvin off the edge, they were able to dial up the linebacker blitz on the opposite side for a sack.
4:12 – Edge rush from Irvin from the right hand side. He leans around the corner and forces Sunseri to move up into the pocket which had collapsed. He’s sacked, and Irvin’s presence off the edge unsettled the quarterback.
4:38 – Irvin’s first sack comes from the right side. He sprints towards the left tackle and then side steps, beating his man to force the pressure inside. The guard comes on the double team so he checks, sidesteps him and moves towards the heart of the offensive line. He manages to dodge both with two sidesteps and has the closing speed to break on the quarterback and make the sack. Anyone wondering whether Irvin is just an edge rusher should watch this play. It’s a thing of beauty. This isn’t about pure speed, it’s technique, a thought process and execution.
5:27 – Irvin’s second sack. Again there’s a double team, but this time it is just about pure speed and balance. He rounds the edge, turns at an impossible angle and smacks the ball out of the quarterbacks hands for a fumble.
Some other observations I made…
– In the fourth quarter, Irvin was spelled more than any point earlier in the game. He took seven consecutive snaps on 2nd and 3rd down and was often on the field for first downs. Many of his 13 first down snaps occurred in the first half.
– Irvin’s two sacks both came with the game on the line with Pittsburgh driving for a winning field goal.
– Whenever Irvin lined up on the right side, Pittsburgh used a left tackle/left guard double team which opened up the opportunity to blitz the linebackers up the middle. There’s about a 50/50 split between the strong and weak side when Irvin lined up.
– The defensive scheme did not suit Irvin at all. In fact, I wonder how productive he would’ve been in a more traditional 4-3 front or playing as a rush linebacker. It’s not surprising he only registered one sack in his first five games as a full time starter working in a three-man front. Seahawks fans should be excited to witness how he performs playing across from Chris Clemons with bigger lineman absorbing space and blocks up the middle.
This game from 2011 or 2010?
It’s from 2011.
Eh, I see it now. Fughetaboudit.
So this should be the 3-3-5 formation or whatever it was WVU used in 2011 vs. the more orthodox defense in 2010 (like the NC State tape, which I love, btw)?
Irvin used in the front of the 3-3-5 in 2011 which didn’t fit his skill set. In 2010 he played the edge on third downs.
Did Irvin play a 5-technique role in the three man front? I knew he was miscast at WVU, but he never complained which is a credit to him.
There’s no real way of defining his role in that front. He’s essentially a speed end playing in a three man front without a nose tackle or any real size at the other end position. Using Irvin in this role is like playing Brandon Mebane as a speed/edge rusher.
looked to me like he was used either 3,4,or 5 tech on the right side (against the LT/LG), but didn’t ever line up as far outside as Clemons does in the Leo position
So when did the direct reply start? Cool!
Sometime this morning. I know, awesome, right?
yes awesome
Awesome.
Mmm, yes. Indubitably.
i will break the mold….and say cooool
Rob, thanks for the write-up and analysis. I’ve watched the Pitt tape a few times now and have come away pretty impressed. I am quite frankly flabbergasted at the way WVU used Irvin and I shudder to think what he could lined up next to a Red Bryant.
I also think that Irvin’s success is going to mirror that of the Seahawks as a team. If we are winning games and teams are pass heavy trying to get back into games that is where we will see Irvin really shine.
:31, one of the only examples of a spin move on film I can remember. Not the best ever, but it’s quick and I think if he lands the club with it that’s a big loss of yards and a sack. If the Hawks can add that move to his repertoire, look out.
BTW, love the addition of the “reply”!
me too
I have been thinking the same thing after watching more tape of Irvin. I can remember a few plays if a nice spin move had been used he probably would have recorded a sack. I hope he works his tail off and gets trained up adding some tools to his tool box.
What a horrific waste of Bruce Irvin’s talent last season was. Perfect counterpoint to Pete Carroll’s approach to roster personnel.
Really impressed by this tape. Even though he didn’t always get pressure or hold up against the run. He was double teamed a ton, leaving other people open to make plays.
It’s funny to me that you say that because I walked away from this tape not feeling impressed at all. He didn’t even seem to be the best defender on the field, but perhaps I am being too critical.
How many 220 lb guys you see playing like a 3-4 DE and dealing with a guard and tackle blocking him? Watch it again and think about that when you’re watching. A man his size is making plays while being blocked by a guard and tackle.
220? He’s 240-245
Irvin admitted in his first press conference he was playing at around 229lbs during the season.
I know. Making plays and have a tackle and guard focused on Irvin is impressive. The double teaming on Irvin opened up the lanes for other players to pressure the QB and garner a sack and tackles for a loss. His play benefited his teamates greatly. I think of Clemons and Irvin on the field and I “CAN”T WAIT”.
You kinda have to look for it but anytime a Defensive end can get the attention of a guard he has won the play regardless of anything else he contributes to the play he has taken an entire sides attention. That frees up others to look better. You can see the guard shadow underneath waiting for Irvin to undercut the play but also help the tackle over the top. In our scheme the tackle will not get that luxury because the guard will always be occupied with a Defensive Tackle. It’s really amazing to me that West Virginia actually played this defense with the personnel they had, does not make any sense to me. Irvin was not perfect and was a little inconsistent where you thought he should have made a play right there but he has a great contribution to the overall D in this game.
My 2 cents after seeing Irvin on tape is that we got a guy who was put in a positon to fail at WVU and still managed to produce. A 220lb speed edge rusher on a 3 man line is just insane. Moving from that to an ideal situation like leo where he is in space i think we should expect a great return on this pick.
Constant double teams here. They can’t do that all the time in the NFL and when Irvin goes 1 on 1 versus the right tackle he will wreak havoc. He will tally at least 10 sacks this year!
He didn’t stand out much in this tape the first time I watched it, and then it started to dawn on me he was playing a down lineman position, and being double teamed all day long. Hard to produce against a left guard and tackle all day.
I wonder if Pete is going to let him wander around behind the line looking for gaps and mismatches, or if he will be quite specific in his placement all game?
2 sacks and a forced fumble and yet he doesn’t stand out? One of which he juked and jived his way through a double team to get? I’m with (for the first time ever) Skip Bayless on this one… the first time I saw tape of Irvin he jumped out of the screen and sacked me in my living room chair.
As can be expected, most Seahawk fans have “come around” on the Irvin pick. However, this always happens. Fans want to believe and they usually justify a bad selection. I believe that Irvin is a bad selection. Remember, he is up against college Olinemen, and not very good ones at that. In the NFL, expect his speed to be neutralized a lot more. And as you saw in the tape, once an olinemen got his hands on Irvin, it was over. He is too small and doesn’t have enough strength. Can you imagine a Walter jones with his 10 foot arms blocking this guy. He would play around with Irvin like a rag doll. In fact, forget about the best ever, our current left tackle would play around with him like a rag doll.
This is a bad pick, especially when Coples was right there to be had. I am severely disappointed in this pick. I think Pete Carroll probably got in Sneider’s way on this one and forced him to make the selection. With drafts, BPA is typically your best option. Wasting a 15th overall pick on a one trick pony like Irvin because you think he fits your system, instead of taking the obvious best player available in Coples is a massive error in judgement.
Um…, I think the fact that Pete Caroll and John Sch had their pick of ANY pass rusher and STILL chose Irvin speaks volumes to how they grade the pass rushers in this draft. In all likelihood, Irvin was rated above Coples on their board.
Also, Irvin was facing double teams all day. There were several instances where he was getting around his lineman only to be stonewalled by a guard who came to help. Remember, Irvin is just that- a pass rusher. Not a freakin D tackle who like Ngata. He’s someone in the mold of Mathis who needs to get 1 vs 1 and rush the passer. That’s his job. The fact that WVU played him as a run stuffing D-Lineman is a serious mental retardation on part of the WVU coaching staff.
The Seahawks picked the best player available according to THEIR board. That your board had Coples ahead of Irvin is meaningless especially since you are not an NFL scout or coach. By the way, at the combine, Irvin put up 23 reps of 225 pounds while your boy Coples threw up only 25 even though he outweighed Irvin by 40 pounds. Carroll > Kiper > plyka
LOL. Love your Carrol>Kiper>Plyka. too funny..
Actually, I think as a purely situational player, Irvin will be fine. Irvin may, and will probably not be Aldon Smith or Von Miller, but he fits a role in our defense that will maximize what he does, which is simply, rush the edge.
Secondly… I don’t get the infatuation with Coples. Like at all. You could make a reel of his splash plays and get a top 5 talent, and you could also make a reel of just garbage low effort plays that don’t even justify a draft pick. He’s a bust, and even if he has splash games, he will never be the consistent playmaker he has the potential to be. Point this out to me next year if I’m wrong but talent doesn’t mean anything if you don’t use it. What’s Belichick say? “Talent sets to floor but heart sets the ceiling” Coples has no heart for the game.
On a final note, I don’t think Irvin was the best pick and has major bust potential, but to say Coples isn’t, is just false. At the very least Irvin plays with heart. The two best picks in the draft were Wagner and Turbin for me. Irvin may be a boss though.
Quick correction: The BB quote actually says “Talent sets the floor EFFORT sets the ceiling”
I can’t speak for others, but when I watched the available film on Irvin in January, I loved him then – and he was the first pass rusher that I looked at when Pete Carroll said he wanted to improve team speed, so naturally, I loved the pick, even if my immediate reaction was: “Great pick! But… couldn’t they have gotten him in the second round?” (Turns out that he likely wouldn’t have made it out of the first round if you believe the various reports that quite a few teams loved him enough that they likely would have taken him in the first round.
I felt exactly the same way. I wanted Irvin, but thought he would last until possibly the third based on internet projections. I wasn’t surprised when McClellin started rising, but thought the Jimmy John’s/Pita Pit affair might drop Irvin.
Enjoying the reply function.
I liked Irvin when Rob pointed him out last year. I liked his addition the the team, and like you when his name was called my intial thought was cool, and then I thought maybe they should have traded down a few more slots to grab him. Not realizing Irvin would have been snagged right after the pick by the Jets. When John S. stated they didn’t want to be “too cute” it makes sense.
That and I liked hightower.
Written by someone that doesn’t bother to take into account our scheme. The first thoughts aren’t usually right.
There are a ton of players that make it people think are reaches now and in the history of the NFL draft. Why would you make a comment you can’t prove? Ruskell went with the safe pick with Curry and he failed. San Diego went with Ryan Leaf and he failed. The draft is littered with players that were highly rated that failed and you make a comment that the “first impression was usually right”. Really? Way to put your foot way up in your mouth because that viewpoint is easily disproven by all the first round so-called can’t miss prospects that…missed. And a lot of reaches like Tyson Alalu and Aldon Smith last year didn’t. Both were considered reaches where they were taken. You are making specious claims that are not supported by the available evidence.
You really don’t have a leg to stand on.
Play @ 4:28…My God…
I love the speed and edge rush. And I agree if he bulks up some, adds some power, and learns a couple new moves (i.e the spin move) he could become great!
That being said, in my view this tape is not all that impressive if not concerning. Even the write up sounded like a lot of poor things being said. And some of the good ones, didn’t even look all that good to me after re-watching for like the 10th time. 🙂
He’s often man handled I think, and looks like a huge liability vs the run. He’s easily pushed out far to wide at times.
I understand the point of him not being used right maybe, but doesn’t Clemons often play as a 3 down linemen?
I’ve seen that package by the Hawks before in a lot of situations.
I don’t think Irvin will be playing LB for us so he’ll be on the line. If he does play LB, then he’ll be fine there as a rusher. But, Clemons IS on the line and IS on the big tackles. Clemons is called the Leo.
It’s been said, he will be the replacement for Clemons. So I really question if he can handle that role, thus making the pick a big risk? Clemons does support the run ok and plays every down. I’m worried if Irvin can do this based on all the tapes I’ve seen.
He’s very weak once a defender gets on him.
I’m hoping for the best. Power you can add. Speed you can’t.
I think PC will get the best of him regardless. Hopefully, it’s a every down and replacement for Clemmons some day.
I like this pick more then Coples though. Way more upside and speed.
I still think Houston landed the best DE that can do it every down though.
P.S.
I LOVE the Turbin pick.
After more reviews, I now love the Wagner pick and his blitz ability and coverage and 4.4 speed at 241. He’s a Luke clone with more upside and speed. He will plug right in and I think can offer some LB Edge rushing like Curry was suppose to do.
I think Wilson is a great QB if he can overcome the height issue. Big thing to over come though. Not crazy about him in the 3rd round, but it’s nice to have him on the team.
He has nothing wrong with his game that I can find.
The DT has potential and is more sack friendly. 2nd only to Cox in speed. He also needs to gain power at the point of attack like Irvin. His 24 bench shows up on tape sometimes.
Even though I felt we have enough DT’s, this pick is kind of interesting to give us a more sack friendly DT.
Can’t even comment on the rest of the draft as I can’t review them. No tapes. 🙁
Which is concerning a bit.
Overall – We added a ton of speed and pressure capability. Love that. 🙂
Happy we picked up the UW wide. I really wanted some of the 6’4+ speed wides out there.
Irvin made his whole D-line better because they were so worried about him that it opened up so many other wholes for other lineman to get through. When the Pitt QB knew that Irvin got up field against the tackle he wanted to move up in the pocket because he knew Irvin was on his way – which resulted in being sacked by the DTs a couple of times.
When the Seahawks show blitz comming from the same side that Irvin is on. He won’t be able to be double teamed and he will be able to beat NFL tackles. I love his motor. I hope bulks up a little but I love the pick (it doesn’t feel like a reach to me now) and I’m glad they got “their” guy. I’m really excited about the up comming season and 12 + sacks from Bruce!
Rob,
Is Irvin 22 or 24? I have seen both but on the Seahawks website they have him listed at 22. Also I have to say that I love the Russell Wilson pick. I live in WI and watch every Badger game. In WI we take shots for scores and I thank Wilson for leading the team to some really high scoring games. Hopefully down the road he will be able to do the same for the Seahawks. Wilson is a really good college QB and I think in time he will be a good starting NFL QB. I do not find his height to be a problem either with his higher release and the ability to find throwing lanes. The other thing I really like about his height is the ability to get lost in the backfield. What I mean by this is with our big line it might be harder for the D-Line to find and pressure him and also harder for D-backs to keep and eye on him. He is not going to be this big statue in the pocket that is easy to find. I truly wish Wilson and all our new additions the very best!
He’s 24. There was some confusion on this on draft day.Rob or Kip confirmed it there.
Rob, if you haven’t seen it yet let me recommend Irvin tape vs Russell Wilson led NC State (2010). Good chance to kill 2 birds with one stone.
Yeah, Irvin miscast in that 3 man front is ridiculous…Sea has some beef in the middle to eat blockers. I think he’d be awesome as a stand up rusher off the line…you know, to get a head of steam…more typical 3-4 rush linebacker like Mathews in GB.
This guy is a the definition of boom or bust with an emphasis on boom. This guy is either going to be great or fail. I can’t see a middle ground. What that means is either he’ll get it and learn how to pass rush in the NFL or he won’t. If he gets it, if he builds a plethora of pass rushing moves, he will as he says “eat QBs” like a glutton eats ribs at a Texas BBQ contest.
Most exciting draft pick Seattle made in ten years or more, probably since Cortez Kennedy or Brian Bosworth.
I can’t remember the last time Seattle drafted the very best athlete at a key position like DE with the college production to back it up. I’m pretty astounded that more people aren’t extrmely excited we have this guy. His combine measurables are top of the charts. His production is up there with Coples, Cox, Ingram, Mercilus, Von Miller, Aldon Smith, and so many other great pass rushers.
When you get the best guy in a draft at doing a key defensive objective in football like rushing the passer, you should be ecstatic. Not worried about whether he can drop into coverage when you already have a top secondary and quality coverage LB in KJ Wright. Not worried about his run defense when you already have Mebane, Bryant, Leroy Hill, Branch, Jason Jones, and Kam Chancellor coming down on runners. You already have strong run defenders and coverage guys. We needed a pass rusher. We got the best pass rusher in the draft. Seattle fans should be pretty stoked.
Off topic slightly: how do rookie contracts work with the new CBA? Are hold-outs anticipated or is the process essentially by rote? Kip, Rob? Would appreciate your attention to this.
the total salary for the contract is slotted. Mike Pouncey was the 15th pick last year and is on a 4 year, 9.3 million contract that is 100% guaranteed. The only things that are negotiable are how much of the salary is guaranteed and how the $9.3 million is split among signing bonus, annual roster bonuses, and annual salary.
There were no hold-outs last year under the new CBA.
And that will be the case again here. Once one deal is sorted, we should see a domino effect.
Thank you Rob and pqlqi (how do you pronounce your name?). Can’t wait for OTAs.
I like the way that Irvin’s presence on the field led to sacks by other WVU players. Picture Clemons and Irvin on the field at the same time. If you focus just on Irvin, you might think that he’s having a bad day — double-teamed all day so he can’t get at the passer. But, if double-teaming Irvin frees up Clemons to get 2 or 3 or 4 sacks, then I think you could say that Irvin had a pretty good day.
At first i was like “what the heck Bruce Irvin in the first”, but the more film and analysis i have seen on him, the more i like the pick! I think he has a ton of potential as the LEO, because of his speed, and the fact that he put up solid numbers without having much technic regarding use of hands etc.. Also some claim that it was plain retarded that the WVU coaching staff used him in a three man front, and it might be the case looking to utilize the players the most. But i like to think it might have helped Irvin in developing a little skills that he otherwise not would have had. Thereby making him a bit more “all round”, and maybe the time spend in the three man front will help him down the road?
http://goldandbluezone.com/football/skip-bayless-loves-him-some-bruce-irvin/
Skips loves BRUUUCE. Christian Fauria…hates the pick and thinks Bruce is going to give up more negative plays than positive.
that link is not working for me, but this is another link
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:7862506
Hey Rob just watched the tape, my initial thoughts were yes he is fast, he needs to add some tools to his arsenal, but was satisfied, I just want to know who the HELL was # 52 MLB on the WVU team, that was was every where all the time, and honestly in that tape # 52 was the best player I saw on that Pitt game film, wow # 52 was awesome.
Nevermind #52 Najee Goode drafted by the bucs in the fifth round, guess I answered my own question.
The guy was facing a tackle and guard on almost every play and still gets two sacks. Looks like the guard was there to keep him from going inside and the tackles job was to push him as far back as possible.
When he gets to the NFL, sure he’ll have to face better lineman, but just a tackle. Sometimes a TE or Rb. With playing alongside Clem, MeBane, and Jones, you can only double team 1-2, someone’s going to bust through on every play.
Also, I like the idea of keep Clemons after his contract up. Not sure how much it’ll cost, but at 31 I’d like to see them switch roles. Irvin takes over for Clemons and Clemons switch to the Raheem Brock role to keep him fresh?