Bruce Irvin can play in coverage (ask Travis Kelce about that), but he’d rather be chasing quarterbacks.
When he showed up in Oakland, the thought was that Irvin would spend less time in coverage. That didn’t end up being the case, but now with a changing of the guard at head coach (and a new defensive scheme), Irvin is finally being designated as a defensive end.
“That was the best news I heard in a minute,” Irvin said Saturday on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
“I can drop in coverage. I can do it pretty good. But that’s not what I prefer to do so when I got that news that I was strictly a D-End now, that was music to my ears.”
Irvin was a first round pick in 2012, played a key role in Seattle’s Legion on Boom defense, and won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks, but somehow has never managed to make it to the Pro Bowl.
“I really feel like if I get those extra reps I can finally get over this double-digit sack mark and hopefully get to the Pro Bowl,” Irvin said of his newest challenge at age 30.
Despite never reaching 10 sacks in a season, Irvin has always been a reliable pass rusher and has recorded at least 5.5 sacks in five of his six NFL seasons – twice (including last year) recording a career high of 8 sacks in a season.
Not only is he excited about a new role under defensive coordinator Paul Guenther, Irvin says the culture of the team has also made a positive change with the addition of new players and a new coaching staff.
“It’s just a different environment. Guys come in ready to work. It really feels like guys are looking at it as it’s a privilege to be in this building. It’s a great feeling, man, and I feel like we’re going to have a lot if success.”
twitter: @raidersbeat
* all quotes used courtesy SiriusXM NFL Radio
