APAs folks in Seattle continue to fret about the fact that their favorite football team possibly frittered a first-round pick away on a one-trick pony who won’t be big enough to excel at the NFL level, more evidence emerges that the Seahawks weren’t the only team who believe that Bruce Irvin can play at the next level like the Incredible Hulk.
We reported on Thursday night that at least seven teams regarded Irvin as a top-15 talent, including teams that didn’t plan to take a pass-rusher in round one. Len Pasquarelli of the Sports Xchange reports that several teams had targeted Irvin for selection after the Seahawks at No. 15: the Jets, Bears, Packers, and 49ers.
Pasquarelli also reports something of which we’d heard whispers in the days preceding the draft: The 49ers worked out Irvin last week.
Of course, there’s a chance that the Niners were simply trying to apply the Jedi mind trick to the Seahawks, like many believe the Patriots did to the Jets four years ago with Vernon Gholston.
If so, it worked. If not, it looks like Irvin wouldn’t have been available by the time the 49ers used the 30th pick in round one.
Channel Finder
The pick may have been a little early … but not all that much. This is turning into an urban legend.
Didn’t Carroll say that he’s going to use him the exact same way as he used Clay Matthews at USC?
For those of you too stupid to know anything about most other things, besides your favorite team, maybe that means Irvin is going to be a 3-down player.
Saying he’s going to be a one trick pony seems uneducated if you don’t understand how he’s going to be used.
He doesn’t need to be a classic 4-3 end that needs to stuff the run because that’s not what he’s going to be asked to do.
I’m not sure what the connection is between a guy working out for a team and that meaning he is a top 15 pick.
If anything, the fact that the 49ers took the time to work him out could be more accurately interpreted to mean that they thought he would still be on the board much later in the first round.
Thats enough Florio. We all know you love UWV and you have clearly shown it. Now please…do us all a favor and get off your knees dude.
If he had gone to SF, he would have been a success with a winning structure in place.
Unfortunately for Irvin, he’s in dysfunctional Seattle, which is a house of cards just one tiny breeze away from collapsing.
Now we get to wait to see if it will pan out. Week 1 can’t get here soon enough!
Niners had by far the worst draft. If I were a Niners fan I would say that whoever has final say over the pick selections should be fired.
But since I am not a fan nor a member of the many gangs that support the team, then I will say please let that nimwit keep his job forever.
On a side note, the Niners have officially claimed the title of most mouthy, obnoxious fanbase away from Pittsburgh and New England.
Hairbow will work out anybody he can. He’s a wimp living in fear that this season’s upcoming 8-8 record will get him fired. Back to college ball, crybaby.
Probably were looking at picking him in the 2nd or later considering Baalke and Harbaugh had stated they had already decided on Jenkins the night before and even wrote his name down. I don’t think Irvin will be a bad player. The pick certainly “appears” to be a reach but if he is a solid pass rusher who cares. Even if that’s all he can ever do Sacks can be monumental game changers just like any other big defensive play can
The definition of an NFL “expert” is someone paid to write, blog and/or pontificate their opinion regarding the Draft and their Peers. Lets’ not get too caught up in their opinion as being gospel.
Remember what Mel Kiper reportedly said a few drafts ago: “JaMarcus Russell’s gonna immediately energize that Raider Nation, that fan base, that football team — on the practice field, in that locker room — three years from now you could be looking at a guy that’s certainly one of the elite top-five quarterbacks in this league…you’re talking about a 2-3 year period once he’s under center. Look out because skill level that he has is certainly John Elway-like.”
There are no guarantees, just better chances for success. Picking a player that fits your team positional needs, fits your type of scheme and has demonstrated talent is what the goal should be for each front office. The Draft position is important, only in that you need to select that player in the round that they are available, but would be gone before your next selection. It may be that Seattle did everything right, but unless another team(s) says that they were going to take the same player before Seattle had another pick we will never know for sure.
The Incredible Hulk? That’s Bruce Banner.
i was wondering why Florio was putting so many positive stories out there about this pick, then i remembered Irving went to West Virginia
aaron curry 2.0
We get it, he went early than projected. Most Seahawk fans are excited, not concerned. Move on already.
Harbaugh makes everything better.
“As folks in Seattle continue to fret…”
Nah, not really. Most fans in Seattle know by now that the Seahawks are doing well in their plans to improve the team every year. We look forward this year as last year to the apology by Kiper for lacking the skills himself not to make mindboggling mistakes on his “big board” and continue to parrot others in a non-comprehensive non-professional approach.
kathyisintheroom says:
Apr 29, 2012 6:18 PM
Niners had by far the worst draft. If I were a Niners fan I would say that whoever has final say over the pick selections should be fired.
But since I am not a fan nor a member of the many gangs that support the team, then I will say please let that nimwit keep his job forever.
On a side note, the Niners have officially claimed the title of most mouthy, obnoxious fanbase away from Pittsburgh and New England.
————————————————————
I’m a 49er fan and I loved every pick. Don’t know what the point of this comment was because the only person who sounds obnoxious and just plain uneducated is you. Well here’s a free lesson. Trent Baalke is the 49ers GM, he made the picks and I hope he keeps his job for awhile. Aldon Smith who everyone said the 49ers reached on last year had 14 sacks. Bruce Miller was a DE in college, they drafted him and he was a pro bowl fullback last year. Not to mention Culliver and Hunter played great all year and Kaepernick remains to be seen.
As with any draft we’ll have to wait and see, but for what the 49ers lacked last year, I thought they got with in this draft. So, Kathy, dumb statement. Clearly you know nothing about the draft or football in general.
zillabeast says:
Apr 29, 2012 6:13 PM
If he had gone to SF, he would have been a success with a winning structure in place.
**********************
Really?
Does 1 winning season in forever mean “winning structure?
Face it, delusional Niner fans. You are a one hit wonder, much like Vanilla Ice.
Had a nice lil fluky season where things all lined up, but back to reality will happen in September.
kathyisintheroom says:
Apr 29, 2012 6:40 PM
zillabeast says:
Apr 29, 2012 6:13 PM
If he had gone to SF, he would have been a success with a winning structure in place.
**********************
Really?
Does 1 winning season in forever mean “winning structure?
Face it, delusional Niner fans. You are a one hit wonder, much like Vanilla Ice.
Had a nice lil fluky season where things all lined up, but back to reality will happen in September.
———————————————————
Yes, really!
11 starters returning on defense. Add Randy Moss, Mario Manningham, and Brandon Jacobs.
Not to mention Jenkins and James in the draft.
Delusional, how? Saying their one of the top 5 most talented teams in the NFL isn’t opinion, it’s just plain fact.
Alcon Smith don’t even play every down, he “situational”. He comes in on 3rd downs (did you notice after every sack he ran off the field to the bench). So he better be getting 10+ sacks per year. Very surprised 49hers didnt draft a QB! Smith is not the answer and need depth behind Kapernick
The Jets called the Hawks to say they would have taken Irvin at #16. How could the pick be too early?
Ya know whats great.HAWK FANS HATE THE NINERS AND NINER FANS HATE US. gota love the nfl. GO HAWKS
its all good, cuz in 2 years the seachickens will trade Irvin for a 4th round pick just like they did Aaron Curry
There is a big difference between the 30th pick of the 49ers and where the Hawks drafted him at 15. I think my Hawks had a terrible draft. Mark my words, in three years none of the draft picks will be starters.
If you think Niners had a ‘fluke’ season, you really don’t much about football or just jealous/envious what there building in san fran.
bigredjbird says:
Apr 29, 2012 6:51 PM
He comes in on 3rd downs (did you notice after every sack he ran off the field to the bench).
———————————————————–
No, really??? I’d imagine all defensive players run to the bench after a sack on 3rd down…..but yea he played primarily on passing downs last year, this year he’ll be an every down OLB.
The 49ers are fine at QB depth. Had Scott Tolzien on the practice squad and signed Josh Johnson. As for Smith, if he can’t get it done with the talent around him this year, then you’re right he isn’t the answer.
The NFL draft, where 100 players have a “first round grade”.
This is the opposite of Curry though. Curry at #4 was considered the safest pick in the draft.
jeffesky says:
Apr 29, 2012 6:53 PM
Ya know whats great.HAWK FANS HATE THE NINERS AND NINER FANS HATE US. gota love the nfl. GO HAWKS
————-
@jeffesky Untrue! As a 49er fan the only teams I really hate are the Jets and the Eagles (like any sane person)
No reason to bash other teams or a kid who has come from nothing to be a first round selection. I, like a lot of hawk fans have realized that Schneider and Carroll know what they want and know how to get it. The draft last year looked much the same. National media calls into question every pick that doesn’t fall in line with their “big board.” I too criticized our draft last year and have to say they found the guys who fit their scheme, and who offer certain special qualities, that when coached correctly and applied to their principles showed they weren’tp a reach. We paid Big Red to stop the run, we have Clemons as the every down pass rusher with run stopping abilities. What we needed was that extra pass rusher to relieve Red when he isn’t on the field in obvious passing situations. I would rather have the guy with the fastest 20 yard shuttle, and quickest first step I’ve seen in a long time ‘eating up’ qbs, than a guy like coples who would have to play in place of Red to see playing time. Only time will tell, but like Doug Farrar said, “when WVU wasn’t wasting his time as the 5 tech, going against guys who outweigh him by 65 pounds, and was lined up outside the tackle… It’s like watching football porn.” The guy is too fast for the tackle to get set, and if you double team him you have to deal with Clemons. Scheme wise this was the best option.
lionsfan20 says: Apr 29, 2012 6:05 PM
Didn’t Carroll say that he’s going to use him the exact same way as he used Clay Matthews at USC?
For those of you too stupid to know anything about most other things, besides your favorite team, maybe that means Irvin is going to be a 3-down player.
Saying he’s going to be a one trick pony seems uneducated if you don’t understand how he’s going to be used.
He doesn’t need to be a classic 4-3 end that needs to stuff the run because that’s not what he’s going to be asked to do.
________________
For those too stupid to know how to write, it’s generally not a good idea to insult the intelligence of the reader before they’ve had a chance to make a point. It also reflects badly upon the writer to call the reader stupid and uneducated and then make a point that has no logical sense or football sense to it.
Just because Pete Carroll plans to use him as three down outside linebacker does not mean he’s not a one trick pony. It just means that if he is a one trick pony he will fail in that role. Pete Carroll can do whatever he wants with the position: he could use you or me or Tarvaris Jackson or Albert Haynesworth the same way he used Clay Matthews at USC, it doesn’t mean it will work.
So no, it is not uneducated to say that Bruce Irvin is a one trick pony because of how Carroll is planning on using him. It is uneducated to say that because of how Carroll is using Irvin that he is not a one trick pony.
God, I hope I never have to write the phrase “one trick pony” ever again in my life.
snoqualmieterry says:
Apr 29, 2012 6:58 PM
There is a big difference between the 30th pick of the 49ers and where the Hawks drafted him at 15. I think my Hawks had a terrible draft. Mark my words, in three years none of the draft picks will be starters.
================================
30-15=15; yup, your right…..there is a difference. Seattle got the best Pass Rusher. Thanks for noticing and I have your works marked all to hell.
Bruce I. Is overrated and he will be a flop in the next level. Ill bet money he doesnt break Aldon Smith rookie record in sacks! Sea is trying to be S.F with there defense. Sorry you need more than a one trick pony in bruce to come close to 9er defense!
I think you guys got a great pick.the dudes a freakish athelete.if he is put on the edge and in coverage even he’ll make plays.the key to him is to use him in space.i’d have loved for my steelers to get him.
Carroll has admitted that Irvin needs to develop certain aspects of his game. I anticipate that he will be used in much the same manner as Aldon Smith was last year. I believe he was the seventh pick of the draft and nobody seems to think it was a poor selection because he wasn’t an every down player his first year. The niners front office and the Seahawks front office have one thing in common: they know what they are doing.
@kathyisintheroom
People are you are the stupidest NFL fans (and that’s a tough group to get to the bottom of).
When 49er fans say that the team is going to be great forever after one season, it’s ridiculous. One season doesn’t equal a dynasty.
But when you say that it’s a fluky season there is just a much evidence to support your claim as there is the claim you’re disputing.
Basically, you’re a moron. Think for 49 seconds before you post.
Is Bruce Irvin any more of a reach than Ryan Tannehill at 8 to the Dolphins? No one even heard about the guy all year then all of a sudden he shoots up draft boards for reasons I still don’t fully understand. Bruce was a solid pick, and I guarantee if they didnt take him at 15 he would have gone in the next 5 picks. The NFL draft is all about who can get the most hype. I would say Tannehill will be a bust before Bruce “the predator” Irvin
Calling people bust’s before a game is even played is asinine. Niner fans should focus on their team and not Seattles. How about, hope your new WR picked 30th doesn’t compare to the last one you picked that late…Rashaun Woods anyone? And besides 49er lovers, don’t you have something like 7 rb now? Nice draft. You gonna start a new NFL trend? The 5-6 alignment. 5, 5 backs, and Alex Smith.
@kathyisintheroom
Viewed objectively, Niners have a very high quality fan base. At least they don’t have one obnoxious person like you. That’s the major difference from yours.
Ummm. Just call me Mr. Obvious, but…
Just because Petey SAYS he’s going to use Irvin like he used Clay Matthews, DOES NOT mean Irvin is as talented as Clay Matthews.
I’m certain Chuck Noll wanted to use Mark Malone like he used Terry Bradshaw, but that never quite worked out.
Is it just Me or is PFT on a mission to convince people Irvin is not a reach?
What “room” is Kathy in anyway?
There’s a lot of Harbaugh haters out there, but the man has proven to be a great coach at every level.
The fact that he beat USC and Carroll that many times while turning around what had been a struggling Stanford program was nothing short of amazing.
Only a great coach can make that happen.
The Niners’ comeback vs. the Saints in a classic playoff game validated their season. 14-4 is no fluke in today’s NFL.
With Harbaugh at the helm, the Niners will just get better and better because he’s a team first coach and players love him for it, which is not the case with most NFL teams.
The Niners won last year because they finally got the right coach to match with a great defense and make Alex Smith look respectable at QB, which is hard to do.
No one knows about the draft until 2-3 years down the road. The first two picks by SF were about helping the offense, which is what we needed. Criticizing that at this point is absurd.
Irvin could end up being just what the Hawks want: a guy who can sack the QB, which is worthy of a top 15 pick in any draft. In today’s Brady-Eli-Big Ben NFL you have to get guys who can sack the QB.
It was already well-known the Niners were interested too.
If I were a Hawks fan I’d hate Harbaugh too, but I love the fact that he coaches the Niners.
The good times are back. Great coach, great team and a new stadium on the way.
Sweet.
If Irvin is still a Seahawk when the Niners open the new stadiun in 2014, then it was probably a good pick.
Sounds like a good rivalry is brewing, which you have to love. Reminds me of when the Rams were still in LA-Anaheim and Walsh and Montana were working their magic in SF.
If it is PFT’s attempt to ‘mission’ for Bruce, I’ll take it, bacause it is the first time Mike Florio even acknowleded that we even play football out here.
As for the pick, we’ll know in about 6 months. It took about that much time to know that Curry was a bust. We’ll revisit at our off-week.
And there is a lot of 2nd guessing on the Seahawk boards, and there should be. Except for our #2, who was at least predicted to be mid second, drafting Irvin, a short QB and a duplicate running back to Beastmode, didn’t exactly fill any gapping holes in the rest of the team. (O Line being the most obvious need)
js
Irvin was not a reach. He is the pass rusher Seattle has needed for a long ass time now. I don’t see how anyone can straight faced call him a reach when he is exactly what they wanted and needed. There is not a single Seattle fan who is going to care one iota if he is a “one trick pony” as long as he keeps doing what he does…eating QB’s. Keep on hating you’re only going to fire the team up even more. I say team, because Irvin isn’t the only one hearing the criticism. Say what you like about Seattle more fuel for the upcoming season. I can’t wait till they start passing out the crow and humble pie you all will be feasting.
@jeffesky
Sorry to burst your bubble…. but the Niners have stronger rivalries with like 5 to 7 other teams besides the Seahawks.
O-line isn’t an obvious need for the Seahawks because I can list it out. Okung, Moffit, Carpenter, Unger and Giacomini. Until Carpenter is healthy we have Deuce and McQuiston
As my username suggests I am a WVU fan, but I am also a Niner fan. That said I am going to defend the Hawks here and bash WVU a little.
Before Irvin came to WVU he was recruited and was going to attend USC but grades derailed that scholly. (yes its easier to get into WVU than USC).
It is unfair to call Bruce a “one-trick pony.” We ran a very unorthodox 3-3-5 Defense. In order to get the best front 6 on the field Irvin was placed at the DE position. His primary role, and the other two guys with their hands on the turf, was to maintain the LOS so that the smaller LB’s and DB’s could blitz more freely.
Rodriguez’s staff never really taught him how to play the position. He did what he did off pure talent, which is remarkable for someone who is outweighed by his opponent by an avg of 50 lbs.
I’m not real clear on Carrol’s Defense but as I understand it the LEO position requires a very athletic LB, one that has the speed to cover the slot and TE but also will convert to the 7 technique on blitzing downs or Nickel packages on the LOS.
With his classic OLB size of a 3-4 Defense coupled with his experience as a DE he seems to be the perfect fit for that position.
And as far as his past is concerned. Yes he was a bad apple at one point. But unlike most that travel that road he conquered a second chance and changed his life around. And has not been in any trouble since, not at the JUCO schools or in Mo’town. That little incident after the season was blown completely out of porportion.
He is not Pacman Jones, he is not a headcase, this is a good kid and a good football player. Seattle is lucky to have him.
Won’t be big enough???
Irvin is the same size (one inch shorter) and weight as Javon Kearse was coming out of the combine. Their combine performances were nearly identical save that Irvin is faster on most of the drills and on the 40. Even with his injuries, Kearse played 11 years in the league. I’m not worried about this guy.
@kathyisintheroom is a bitter Saints fan, pay little attention to her.
calling the niners last season a fluke is about as dumb as calling the seahawks reigning superbowl champs. Its just wrong.