May 01, 2012

Let Bruce loose

I read that immediately after Seattle had made West Virginia’s Bruce Irvin the 15th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, Mel Kiper, on ESPN, called the pick “mind boggling.” And didn’t he sound oh so smart at that moment?! Thankfully, I didn’t actually watch it. Admittedly, it’s not as though I had a choice as I didn’t actually have access to ESPN’s Draft coverage, but not having that choice only ruled out the inevitable of not tuning in anyway.


I only have access to NFL Network, but don’t read that in the sorry way that it may look. Thank Heavens for NFL Network and not just because it drives me away from Kiper and his inane chatter. No, the network boasts the anti-Kiper in Mike Mayock. Now, Mayock does have his moments, but on almost every occasion he’s measured and articulate, attributes that should (but won’t, sadly) keep Kiper awake at night. And every Seahawks fan should have a not-so-secret admiration for Mayock anyway after his unforgettable “GET OFF ME!!!” and “...ARE YOU KIDDING ME???” after Marshawn Lynch’s 67 yard TD run versus New Orleans on a barmy Wildcard night at Qwest Field in January 2011.
Long has my disdain for Kiper been hard to shake. Shame on all of those that hang on to his every word and I’m in no doubt he was patting himself heartily on the back at his “mind boggling” quip aimed squarely at coach Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider. Well, he would’ve patted himself on the back if he’d been able to get his arm over that preposterous hair of his.
If there is something laughable about Kiper’s dig (and the humour in it is difficult to track down), it’s that more than a few misguided souls actually believe he has more insight into the Seahawks than Carroll and Schneider. I have nothing but pure faith in the Irvin pick and the only person I’ve heard speak positively about it is Charles Davis, Mayock’s partner in Draft crime. He stated the stupidly obvious, but it’s a point that seems to need a sledgehammer nonetheless; Carroll and Schneider are clearly working to a plan and if they see Irvin as an integral cog, then give them OTAs and training camp and at least one season of unleashing their first round pick on the NFL. Heck, the two of them have established an enviable working relationship and yet it’s something that most of those that follow the NFL appear blind to, even seasoned journalists. Davis, I tip my hat to you.

Most Mock Drafts had the ‘Hawks filling their pass rushing need in the first round and when this worst kept secret kept the company of conventional wisdom, we could look forward to Coples, Ingram or Jones donning Nike’s newest and finest. Should he have been available, my personal choice was Kuechly, but what do I know?
Conventional wisdom does not always a good Draft make and we already have an immovable object in Red Bryant at defensive end so was Irvin truly that shocking a pick? Well, yes, but only in as much as the red flags he’d generated for himself off the field. I could give you stat upon stat or misdemeanour after misdemeanour here, but that’d be wasting all of our time. My Kuechly leanings aside, Irvin is a pure pass rusher and little else. We don’t need him defending the run, we want him to get to the quarterback...and fast. And Irvin has a knack for getting to the quarterback...and fast.
Carroll wasn’t coy (naturally) when speaking about Irvin following the conclusion of the first round and of all the quotes, one stood out to me and it’s this: “This is the kind of guy that really puts the fear in the offensive tackles.” Now, how good does that make you feel as a Seahawk?
All of a sudden, defensive coordinators (I’ll spare you the thirteen names for this season) are going to be considering the havoc one man will have the ability to wreak and third down at CenturyLink will be the place to be in 2012.
Without going through the entire Seahawks 2012 Draft class, the one other pick that’s truly enamoured me is running back Robert Turbin in the fourth round. Smashmouth football on offense and the relentless motors of Irvin, Kam Chancellor and Bobby Wagner on defense. The anticipation is palpable and, without wishing precious time away, September really can’t come quickly enough.

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