Bruce Irvin was back on the practice field Wednesday after serving a four-game suspension for violating the league’s policy on performance enhancing drugs, and it’s safe to say the Seahawks are excited to have the 2012 first-round pick back on the field.
How excited? Well when linebacker coach Ken Norton Jr. spent a few minutes after practice talking about Irvin, he said the word excited or exciting 13 different times in just under three minutes.
We’ll save you all 13 of those, but Norton said of Irvin, “It’s like having a new toy. It’s really exciting. We’re going to put him right in there, you’re going to see him right away. There’s no waiting. He’s just going to jump right in there and play, and we’re really excited to get him going.”
Irvin is playing a new position this year, moving from defensive end to strongside linebacker, and while there are a lot of similarities between the two in Seattle’s defense, he and his coaches both admit there’s still learning to do. Even so, Irvin will be in the game-plan this week, according to Norton.
“Absolutely,” Norton said. “That’s Bruce Irvin, are you kidding me? He’s a first-round pick, that guy does everything. When you look up the pictured of a linebacker, his face shows up. We’re really excited, he’s going to do it all. He’s going to be rushing the passer, he’s going to be playing the run, he’s going to be buzzing to the flats, he’s going to be flying around… We’re really excited to have him, and you’re going to see what we’ve been missing come Sunday.
Norton added they’ll be careful not to put too much on Irvin’s plate this week, but said, “We’ve got a plan for him, and he’s going to shine.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
