Gawd, are we THAT desperate?

[RiverDog]

To re-sign soon to be 35 Bruce Irvin, who couldn't stop a runner when he was 24?

I know, it's just the practice squad and he's unlikely to play, but Holy cow, if our defense is so bad that it makes this guy at his age look like he could contribute to it...I'm shaking my head in disbelief.

[Hawktawk]

Yeah it’s that bad . What are they supposed to do ? Sit on their hands . Crap out an all star ? It’s what it is . Dunlap helped late last year . The lack of edge pressure is forcing a lot of stunts that leave us vulnerable in the run game as well .

[RiverDog]

Yeah it’s that bad . What are they supposed to do ? Sit on their hands . Crap out an all star ? It’s what it is . Dunlap helped late last year . The lack of edge pressure is forcing a lot of stunts that leave us vulnerable in the run game as well .

Carlos Dunlap is 2 years younger, a two time Pro Bowler, and a fixture on the Bengals DL for 11 seasons. Irvin was a pedestrian player and seldom a starter, made 5 other stops once we rereleased him in 2016 after we had decided not to pick up his 5th year option. Not a good comparison.

I didn't say that they should have 'sit on their hands'. I was merely commenting on the irony and what it says about our defense.

[mykc14]

"Gawd, are we THAT desperate?"

Yes we are...

[NorthHawk]

One of the worst defenses in the league demands grasping at straws.

[Aseahawkfan]

32nd ranked points allowed defense on a Carroll lead team, yes we are that desperate.

[RiverDog]

I've been batting this around with a couple of other friends, and the consensus is that Irvin will see some playing time, which I think to be outrageous. It's bad enough that at 35, he's taking up a valuable practice squad spot, robbing some younger guy at an opportunity to be that 'diamond in the rough' that occasionally is found on a practice squad, but he's going to take playing time away from one of our younger players.

By any stretch of the imagination, Irvin is not a player that is going to turn this defense around, so I don't understand why we're wasting a valuable resource on him.

[NorthHawk]

Are we going back to Pete’s base Defense and not moving towards the 3-4?
Or is he considered experienced enough to be able to play OLB in a 3-4 better than Taylor and/or Mafe?

[Aseahawkfan]

Are we going back to Pete’s base Defense and not moving towards the 3-4?
Or is he considered experienced enough to be able to play OLB in a 3-4 better than Taylor and/or Mafe?

I don't even know what Pete thinks about anymore when it comes to defense.

[Hawktawk]

I've been batting this around with a couple of other friends, and the consensus is that Irvin will see some playing time, which I think to be outrageous. It's bad enough that at 35, he's taking up a valuable practice squad spot, robbing some younger guy at an opportunity to be that 'diamond in the rough' that occasionally is found on a practice squad, but he's going to take playing time away from one of our younger players.

By any stretch of the imagination, Irvin is not a player that is going to turn this defense around, so I don't understand why we're wasting a valuable resource on him.

Whether it’s seen that way by you all Pete saw him as a chance to help right now. Pete wants to win this year . Maybe make Irvin the DC /linebacker It’s not an all pro roster but missed tackles and bad schemes are the biggest problem . In the day Bruce had some game . He had some big games for us . If he can get 10 snaps and be productive who cares about the tail end of the practice squad . Pete knows if it’s a 5-12 rebuild year he won’t be any further part of it . John will . But not Pete .
Maybe this Sunday the light bulb comes on

[RiverDog]

Whether it’s seen that way by you all Pete saw him as a chance to help right now. Pete wants to win this year . Maybe make Irvin the DC /linebacker It’s not an all pro roster but missed tackles and bad schemes are the biggest problem . In the day Bruce had some game . He had some big games for us . If he can get 10 snaps and be productive who cares about the tail end of the practice squad . Pete knows if it’s a 5-12 rebuild year he won’t be any further part of it . John will . But not Pete .
Maybe this Sunday the light bulb comes on

If Pete thinks that Bruce Irvin, who turns 35 in a couple of weeks and has been bounced around the league with 5 different teams in as many years, gives us the best chance of winning, then he's either made some incredibly bad player acquisitions or he needs his head examined.

I might be able to buy the notion that Irvin was signed to the practice squad as insurance in the case of injury, but not to replace active players at a position group that is completely healthy.

[Hawktawk]

I hear he’s being expected to be playing 10 or 15 snaps as a rotational player . He’s reportedly in good shape. Brock and Salk like the acquisition , like Bruce , think he’s always been a great versatile athlete . But again they liked Hurrt as did I, very excited about him so ….. people forget Irvin’s role in the 2013 nfc title game spying on Kap and shutting down his runs after he gashed us the entire first half . I didn’t like bringing in AP for the same reason but it was good for the running back room . When you have the worst defense in the league , worst of the Carroll era , one of the worst I’ve seen ever anywhere especially considering the support the offense has given them it can’t hurt to bring in a vet whose won something to help mentor these guys . Hopefully he gets a strip six and someone will still say a blind squirrel finds an acorn

[trents]

But guys, you got this all wrong. Pete says he picked him up to inspire the young linebackers on the team and provide mature, veteran leadership. It's just like what they did with AP.

[RiverDog]

But guys, you got this all wrong. Pete says he picked him up to inspire the young linebackers on the team and provide mature, veteran leadership. It's just like what they did with AP.

I would say that Adrian Peterson has just a tad more credibility than Bruce Irvin. I can't imagine some young linebacker looking at Irvin's career and saying to themselves "gee, I want to be just like him!" They probably had to google his name when they learned of his signing.

[TriCitySam]

So as usual, we don't understand what Pete's plan is. Irvin did spend some time with Sean Desai in Chicago in this defense. Report is:

"Irvin could end up being as much a teacher as a contibutor". "I'm not asking him to come out here and give speaches and stuff like that. As long as he breaks them down every once in a while, we will be in good shape. He will have an effect. He's been around enough, he cares a tremendous amount about excellence, the style of play, and playing tough". Makes sense.

[Hawktawk]

So as usual, we don't understand what Pete's plan is. Irvin did spend some time with Sean Desai in Chicago in this defense. Report is:

"Irvin could end up being as much a teacher as a contibutor". "I'm not asking him to come out here and give speaches and stuff like that. As long as he breaks them down every once in a while, we will be in good shape. He will have an effect. He's been around enough, he cares a tremendous amount about excellence, the style of play, and playing tough". Makes sense.

Yeah . What he said . AP worked , I didn’t like it nor did certain other posters when he was brought in but I no problem admitting being wrong . Irvin has a ring and played on one of the premiere defenses of the modern era. He’s gonna contribute with his leadership and maybe make a play or 2.

[Aseahawkfan]

But guys, you got this all wrong. Pete says he picked him up to inspire the young linebackers on the team and provide mature, veteran leadership. It's just like what they did with AP.

We all know inspired speeches are make defenses great.

[Hawktawk]

But guys, you got this all wrong. Pete says he picked him up to inspire the young linebackers on the team and provide mature, veteran leadership. It's just like what they did with AP.

We all know inspired speeches are make defenses great.[/quote]


As has been pointed out AP was roundly criticized when brought in but he helped the guys with his preparation and leadership . Pete actually said he doesn’t expect a bunch of speeches , just leadership and helping with technique etc . Kind of a coach on the field . We need coaching . There’s personnel issues for sure but they are panicking and blitzing gaps all day and running themselves out of plays . On Hills long house call we had guys 3 yards in the backfield while he’s breaking the line of scrimmage . Playing out of control . Out of position . Missed tackles including by well paid guys expected to be team leaders . Hopefully Irvin can help . Something needs to. We’re wasting a tremendous opportunity in a down year for the league .