Seahawks Bruce Irvin Making the Switch to Linebacker

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The Seattle Seahawks plan to convert defensive end Bruce Irvin into a linebacker for the 2013-2014 season. Irvin will now lineup up as the strong-side linebacker in the Seahawks defensive system.

Irvin was the Seahawks first round pick in 2012, as they selected the versatile defensive player 15^th overall. He led all rookies with 8 sacks last season to contribute among the 4^th ranked defense in the NFL.

Coach Pete Carroll will use Irvin in a hybrid-role in the Seahawks shape-shifting defense. Aside from being the team’s “Sam” linebacker in the 4-3, Irvin will also continue to get snaps at defensive end in nickel formations. This will allow the team to fully utilize Irvin’s pass-rushing ability and speed.

Carroll has claimed since draft day that Irvin is a “carbon copy” of Broncos linebacker Von Miller. Irvin now has a chance to prove Carroll’s claim, as he will be used in a very similar way. Carroll claims that Irvin is a versatile player and should have no problem with this transition.

Carroll said, “He’s really fast. He’s 250 pounds, and he’s exactly fitting the right kind of body type to play outside backer in the 3-4 system. We’re a 4-3 personnel system that plays 3-4 looks. He’s extremely valuable for us.”

Yet Irvin still has plenty to prove before he can show the world that he is a good outside linebacker. He will be serving a 4-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy for the use of Adderall. He will likely make his return on October 6^th in Indianapolis against the Colts.

He will have to beat out Malcolm Smith for this position when he returns, but this really shouldn’t be any issue for Irvin. He will have all of training camp and the preseason to work at his new position. Odds are he will be ready to take on the starting role as soon as the suspension is over.

Irvin probably won’t record 18.5 sacks and 6 forced fumbles like Von Miller did last season, but he’s probably destined to be one of the better outside linebackers in football.

In terms of fantasy football, the Seahawks are likely going to be a top-5 D/ST option. Yet with the utilization of Bruce Irvin, as well as bringing newcomers Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett up to speed in the system, the Seahwaks have the capability of being one of the top 3 D/STs in fantasy.  Look for the Seahawks defense to improve as the season goes on, as they come into full strength with the return of Irvin and fellow teammate Chris Clemons.

Seahawks Champion PED Drug Culture in Seattle

Seattle defensive lineman, Bruce Irvin, became the seventh Seahawks player to test positive for PED’s (Performance Enhancing Drugs) since 2011.

Only the Washington Redskins have racked up more drug suspensions than the Seahawks and that’s only because “Adderall Advocate” Richard Sherman beat his drug suspension on a technicality.

The Redskins and the Seahawks are far and away the undisputed PED-Kings of the NFL with 7 suspensions for Washington and 6 for Seattle, while no other team has more than four.

As long as the league pussy foots around with 4-game suspensions for guilty players, Pete Carroll and the “Seadderall Seahawks” will keep popping the pills and running wild on the field.

Carroll calls the rampant drug use on his team a “League Issue.” This comes as no surprise as Carroll has been abusing the college and professional level rules since he started coaching.

He’s always been one of those coaches who can turn a blind-eye towards any type of outrageous or illegal off-field behavior and there’s no reason or motivation for him to change now.