Bear Check Out WVU's Bruce Irvin..................

**soulman** · 03-21-2012, 04:08 PM

Prospect Irvin also would bring baggage to Bears

West Virginia defensive end/linebacker prospct Bruce Irvin does an interception drill at the NFL scouting combine. (US Presswire Photo)

By Brad Biggs, Tribune reporter 9:44 a.m. CDT, March 19, 2012

Lovie Smith was not present at Halas Hall when the Chicago Bears introduced Brandon Marshall on Friday. After trading for a wide receiver, the Bears still need help at defensive end, and that’s likely why Smith was at the West Virginia pro day.

According to the Times West Virginian, Smith and Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin were both on hand Friday, probably to get a close look at defensive end/outside linebacker Bruce Irvin.

The Mountaineers prospect since has run into some potential trouble. According to West Virginia Metro News, Irvin was arrested late Saturday night after he allegedly broke a sign at a Jimmy John’s sandwich shop. He has been charged with destruction of property and disorderly conduct.

On the field, Irvin wreaked havoc in two seasons at West Virginia. The 24-year-old has 22 1/2 sacks. He checked in at the NFL scouting combine at 6-2 1/2, 245 pounds and blazed through the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds. That was one of the more head-turning performances at the combine and now Smith and the Bears probably want to know a little more. Can Irvin bulk up a little more to play defensive end and be more than just a pass-rush specialist? Or is he simply a better fit as an outside linebacker for a scheme like Tomlin and the Steelers employ?

Irvin said he played between 225 and 230 pounds in school, and he had a much more productive junior season when he had 14 sacks and was more of a situational player. So there are plenty of questions to answer, plus ones involving his background. Irvin had a rough past and the latest incident, while it doesn’t sound too serious, also raises more questions.

Irvin was a high-school dropout as a junior and went on to earn a GED before attending Mt. San Antonio College in California. He says he was practically homeless at times being raised in Atlanta.

“I’ve gone over this a hundred-thousand times, I have a different story than a lot of these guys,” Irvin said at the combine. “Grew up in a rough neighborhood in Atlanta, dropped out of high school in 11th grade and got in some trouble, ran with the wrong crowd. Finally saw the light, got my GED, took the test and passed all five parts on the first time.

“(NFL teams) have heard the stories, read the articles. They’re questioning me which I don’t blame. They kinda want to hear it from the horse’s mouth, the whole situation on how it happened. I’m no longer that person who I was, I went by BJ, now I’m Bruce. That’s what I tell them.”

Earlier this month, Smith attended the Georgia Tech pro day and had lunch with wide receiver Stephen Hill.

**soulman** · 03-21-2012, 04:13 PM

NFP Scouting Report;

BRUCE IRVIN OLB, West Virginia

2011 GRADE: 6.7 D P HT: 6-3 WT: 245
Overview

A former high school wide out who dropped out of school because of his involvement in the street life. He got his GED in 2007 and attended junior college in 2009, instantly dominating the competition as a pass rusher. He ended up being Scout.com's number two ranked JUCO prospect.

He's simply a natural pass rusher. He lacks great size and looks a bit narrow through his hips/upper body, but he possesses an athletic build and can really coil up and fire out of his stance. He exhibits natural flexibility in his hips and keeps his base down well off the snap. Plays from a number of stances, but looks comfortable playing with his ball side foot back and exhibits an outstanding first step. He also keeps his base down off the ball, stays low and eats up a lot of grass quickly. Exhibits the speed to routinely threaten the edge, drop his pad level and turn the corner. However, it's his savvy as a pass rusher and change of direction skills that makes him a bear to block. He extends his arms well into contact and loves to reach the edge and re-direct, using his club to slip the block and accelerate quickly inside. Also, he knows how to set up blockers and slow play his pass rush, forcing them to over commit and lunge into contact as he displays impressive short area quickness in order to slip blocks. He gets a bit high when trying to slip, as he has a tendency to hop step toward the edge and lacks ideal power through contact. He can initially be stalled when engaged and lacks ideal power to simply overwhelm on the bull rush as he gets upright. However, when he keeps his pad level down and extends those arms he can create an initial snap.

You can see him turn his speed into power on his outside rush when crashing back inside, and he possesses good natural power in his upper body when working the club move as he can really jar tackles for his size at times. He's a glorified nickel rusher at this stage who isn't asked to play the run game often, but lacks the natural girth to anchor with his hand on the ground consistently at the next level. Nevertheless, he is an excellent run and hit guy with a great first step with "plus" range and works very hard in pursuit. Demonstrates a good motor and the fluidity to breakdown on ball carriers.

Impression: A gifted athlete who has the initial burst to routinely reach the edge. However, lacks ideal size and doesn't have a real sophisticated pass rushing repertoire. Is going to make the move to a 34 OLB at the next level and might need a little time. Reminds me some of the Chris Clemons.

**soulman** · 03-21-2012, 04:15 PM

The guys has some skills as a pass rusher but unfortunately he's a far better fit for a system like Pitt's than ours. A guy like him might be great is you could get him in the mid rounds and use him as just a pass rusher but that's not what we do with DE's and I don't think he'll last that long anyway. Too much potential as a 3-4 guy.

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