Bruce Irvin
The Seahawks finished ninth in the league in total defense and allowed only two 100-yard rushers in 16 games. Chris Clemons led the team with 11 sacks and the inside pair of Alan Branch and Brandon Mebane pressed the pocket. In a pass happy league, Pete Carroll believes you can’t have too many pass rushers and he sees first round pick Bruce Irvin as a sub package edge speed rusher alongside Clemons or opposite him in the nickel. He received the lion’s share of reps at “Leo” end during OTAs. Only time will tell if Irvin was a major reach with the 15th pick in the first round. The former Mountaineer only started six games in his career. He graded out athletically at the top of all defensive ends at the Combine. A size and speed prospect, he needs pro skill development and may need repetitions in a complex scheme. He finishes pursuit on ball away. Bobby Wagner projects to start at Mike linebacker for the departed David Hawthorne who signed with New Orleans after leading the Seahawks in tackles for three straight years. Wagner is a four year starter with experience at all three linebacker spots. He has good overall technique and is physically and mentally tough. Solid in all areas of linebacker play, he is active and outstanding on special teams. After rookie mini-camp the Seahawks felt that Russell Wilson will be in the running for the starting quarterback position. He demonstrated excellent recognition skills and dynamic athletic ability. Suspicions were confirmed that he has a rare mental capacity to absorb a complex offensive scheme. During OTAs he was one of three quarterbacks getting first team repetitions. Robert Turbin was drafted as a physical between the tackles back to spell Marshawn Lynch. He’s a North/South power runner who gets to and through the line with a powerful burst. A compact downhill one-cut runner, he will drop his shoulder and run over a tackler. Although rarely used in the passing game, he did catch four touchdown passes in 17 catches. Jaye Howard has demonstrated first step quickness in recent Seahawk OTAs. He is currently working behind Alan Branch and Pep Levingston. A big athletic man, he can run and has explosive first step quickness. He has experience at both tackle and end in a four man front. In order to hold up inside for 16 regular season NFL games, he will need more lower body strength. In 2011 he was productive with 65 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks. Korey Toomer’s best asset is his speed as he plays fast. A junior college transfer, he tallied 68 tackles and four sacks in 2011. The Seahawks took note of his pro day where he ran a 4.56/40 and had a vertical jump of 42 inches. Against Utah State as a fullback he scored three touchdowns. Jeremy Lane has flashed good ball reactions and quickness in OTAs. Raw but athletic in his play, he has courage to hit on run support. He has decent arm length and jumping ability with a 42-inch vertical jump. A competitor, he is a developing size and speed prospect with ascending skills. He needs work, but has the talent to break in as a nickel corner and core special teams’ player. Winston Guy was drafted to be the third safety in the big nickel sub package. He played in 51 career games for the Wildcats. He had two interceptions and 120 total tackles as a senior. He is versatile, starting his career as a corner, then moving to safety. His senior year he played the hybrid safety/linebacker position. The best thing he does is support the run but needs work on pass coverage. JR Sweezy played defensive tackle at North Carolina State but was drafted as an offensive guard because he fits the profile of smarts and toughness that line coach Tom Cable is looking for. Greg Scruggs was drafted because of his length and versatility, having experience at both defensive tackle and end. Competitive and tough, he missed three games in 2011 with a turf toe injury. He made 19 tackles, including six for loss and had four sacks. His pro day numbers were 6033, 284, 4.79/40, 4.29/SS, 25/BP, 9-10/BJ, arm length 35.5”. He has developmental talent. GRADE: AVERAGE.
Box 235 Hiawatha, IA 52233