Patience Pays Off: Raiders LB Irvin Making Plays
Oakland Raiders linebacker Bruce Irvin made an immediate impact upon signing to the team in 2016. Coming from the Seattle Seahawks that won a Super Bowl in 2014, Irvin brought a champion pedigree to a defense struggling to find its identity. He also became the yang to All-Pro linebacker Khalil Mack’s yin, giving the team two solid edge rushers. With seven sacks and six forced fumbles in 2016, it seemed like a match made in heaven. But through three games this season, he’s looked like a shell of himself, struggling to create pressure, better yet a sack or a turnover. The good news is, it’s only three games into the season.
Through the first three weeks, Irvin didn’t have his name called much for the stat sheet, but he racked up two tick-tack penalties for his tackling.
Irvin was able to make things happen in Week 4 against the Denver Broncos, gaining his first sack on the year. In the season’s first three games, Irvin amassed just three defensive pressures; he totaled 55 on the season in 2016. In Week 4, he recorded four pressures.
The Raiders could use Irvin’s ability to force turnovers, with just four takeaways on the young season (T-10th). But one thing that Irvin has done well is play against the run. The majority of Irvin’s 9 tackles on the season have come against the run, neutralizing backs like Matt Forte, DeMarco Murray and Samaje Perine. Irvin has shown improvement on his ability to contain the edge, an issue that caused him to be attacked by opposing coordinators, running plays for big chunks of yardage to his side of the field.
In the coming weeks, it won’t get easier for Irvin, facing some of the premier tackles in the AFC conference. With the dangerous Mack on his opposite side, Irvin will have to step up in order to free his partner from double and triple teams.
With 12 weeks left in the season, it’s very early to write off a player that the team can’t afford to do without. While second-year rusher James Cowser is coming alone gradually, Irvin cannot be replaced, at least not yet. While the lack of big plays coming off a phenomenal season is alarming, don’t get your antennas up yet. But football is just as much mental as it is physical, and getting his first sack may be just the confidence boost he needs.
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