David Irving Preseason Review

[xwalker]

Will people that were fans of Michael "Irving" call this guy David Irvin?

It's funny that he is the extreme opposite of the player that he is replacing on the roster (Davon Coleman). Coleman was short with short arms. Irving is 6'7-1/2" with super long arms. Both types can have success in the NFL but I thought the contrast was amusing.

I scanned through the preseason games on NFL GamePass for to watch his snaps. I didn't see him on defense in preseason weeks 2 and 3; although he was in as a Field Goal blocker. I didn't watch all snaps from games 2 and 3 so it's possible he played some snaps but I didn't see him.

He did play in games 1 and 4 of the preseason. He came in in the 4th quarter and played about 20 snaps in each game.

He played as a 3-4 DE and he played DT in a 4 man line. In their Nickel they have 2 DTs and stand-up DEs. There was 1 play where they shifted the 3 DL over with a LB on the end which put Irving out in a position similar to a 4-3 DE.

He is an interesting player with his extreme length. They double-teamed him several times but he was still able to have a bit of a surge between the two blockers. While they stop his body, his head and arms are still past the blockers. It is interesting to see some short stubby Guards blocking him. He also came over the top of a Guard on one play to reach for the QB. The QB was over 1 yard away, but he if had been a little closer I think Irving could have grabbed him over the top of this Guard.

When he is stopped he knows to get his arms up to block the passing lane. He did block a kick but he also appeared to get his hand on a pass. The pass was complete so it was not obvious, but he did appear to alter the path of the ball. There were some other times where he was really close to blocking a pass. That is multiple times that he either blocked or almost blocked a pass and we are only talking about a total of 40 plays with about half being runs.

He has decent quickness for a guy his size. It is sometimes difficult to see how quick the long legged guys are because they only have to take 2 steps to some peoples three, but he does cover ground quite well. His pass rushing unlike some players is not about winning on the first step or it's over. He can get off blocks even if his initial move does not win. He does use his length well sometimes bench pressing himself off of blocks.

In run defense he anchors better than you would expect with his height. Somewhat like Randy Gregory in that he can play with leverage and win some of those battles despite being tall and lean. He can get fairly low in his stance. He was lower in his stance than the DL next to him often despite those players being shorter. There were a couple of plays where he initially anchored well but got turned out of the play. One play was particularly ugly. He'll needs to continue to get stronger and different technique might have helped on that play also.

I stated previously there was 1, maybe 2 plays where he was really an outside rusher similar to a 4-3 DE. He looked OK on those but nothing conclusive either way.

It seems that right now Strong Side DE would be his best position here or he could play DT on obvious passing downs. I really think with his arms up he could be really distracting to some QBs. Even if he does not block the pass, it has to be distracting because they'll probably be trying to throw around him.

He did not look lost but he was playing against 2nd/3rd string offensive players. I would think they might make him active this week just because they are short handed at DE. He obviously won't have much time to learn the scheme but it's really not that complicated. It's just an off the cuff opinion but I think he might be more mentally ready for the NFL than what we saw from Ryan Russell last week.

Summary: He could have really high upside or he could get caught in tweener status which could limit him. I don't know if he can be a true outside pass rusher as he seems better slashing though on inside type rushes, but he might not have enough anchor to play DT full time.

I think Marinelli will find a way to make a good player out of him if he has the right mindset.

David Irving
Wingspan 87-3/4" (Tyron's wingspan is 85")
Height: 6074
Weight: 273
40 Yrd Dash: 4.84
20 Yrd Dash: 2.82
10 Yrd Dash: 1.69
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 13
Vertical Jump: 38
Broad Jump: 10'08"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.52
3-Cone Drill: 7.27

 

[Macnalty]

He is worth the value will be surprised if he turns it around with us.

 

[perrykemp]

Will people that were fans of Michael "Irving" call this guy David Irvin?

It's funny that he is the extreme opposite of the player that he is replacing on the roster (Davon Coleman). Coleman was short with short arms. Irving is 6'7-1/2" with super long arms. Both types can have success in the NFL but I thought the contrast was amusing.

I scanned through the preseason games on NFL GamePass for to watch his snaps. I didn't see him on defense in preseason weeks 2 and 3; although he was in as a Field Goal blocker. I didn't watch all snaps from games 2 and 3 so it's possible he played some snaps but I didn't see him.

He did play in games 1 and 4 of the preseason. He came in in the 4th quarter and played about 20 snaps in each game.

He played as a 3-4 DE and he played DT in a 4 man line. In their Nickel they have 2 DTs and stand-up DEs. There was 1 play where they shifted the 3 DL over with a LB on the end which put Irving out in a position similar to a 4-3 DE.

He is an interesting player with his extreme length. They double-teamed him several times but he was still able to have a bit of a surge between the two blockers. While they stop his body, his head and arms are still past the blockers. It is interesting to see some short stubby Guards blocking him. He also came over the top of a Guard on one play to reach for the QB. The QB was over 1 yard away, but he if had been a little closer I think Irving could have grabbed him over the top of this Guard.

When he is stopped he knows to get his arms up to block the passing lane. He did block a kick but he also appeared to get his hand on a pass. The pass was complete so it was not obvious, but he did appear to alter the path of the ball. There were some other times where he was really close to blocking a pass. That is multiple times that he either blocked or almost blocked a pass and we are only talking about a total of 40 plays with about half being runs.

He has decent quickness for a guy his size. It is sometimes difficult to see how quick the long legged guys are because they only have to take 2 steps to some peoples three, but he does cover ground quite well. His pass rushing unlike some players is not about winning on the first step or it's over. He can get off blocks even if his initial move does not win. He does use his length well sometimes bench pressing himself off of blocks.

In run defense he anchors better than you would expect with his height. Somewhat like Randy Gregory in that he can play with leverage and win some of those battles despite being tall and lean. He can get fairly low in his stance. He was lower in his stance than the DL next to him often despite those players being shorter. There were a couple of plays where he initially anchored well but got turned out of the play. One play was particularly ugly. He'll needs to continue to get stronger and different technique might have helped on that play also.

I stated previously there was 1, maybe 2 plays where he was really an outside rusher similar to a 4-3 DE. He looked OK on those but nothing conclusive either way.

It seems that right now Strong Side DE would be his best position here or he could play DT on obvious passing downs. I really think with his arms up he could be really distracting to some QBs. Even if he does not block the pass, it has to be distracting because they'll probably be trying to throw around him.

He did not look lost but he was playing against 2nd/3rd string offensive players. I would think they might make him active this week just because they are short handed at DE. He obviously won't have much time to learn the scheme but it's really not that complicated. It's just an off the cuff opinion but I think he might be more mentally ready for the NFL than what we saw from Ryan Russell last week.

Summary: He could have really high upside or he could get caught in tweener status which could limit him. I don't know if he can be a true outside pass rusher as he seems better slashing though on inside type rushes, but he might not have enough anchor to play DT full time.

I think Marinelli will find a way to make a good player out of him if he has the right mindset.

David Irving
Wingspan 87-3/4" (Tyron's wingspan is 85")
Height: 6074
Weight: 273
40 Yrd Dash: 4.84
20 Yrd Dash: 2.82
10 Yrd Dash: 1.69
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 13
Vertical Jump: 38
Broad Jump: 10'08"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.52
3-Cone Drill: 7.27

Wow thank you xWalker.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Thanks x.

 

[Bullflop]

He's raw and likely somewhat of a developmental project but his upside seems promising. I'm sure the C'boys will do whatever they can to add bulk, muscle and strength to his physique as he progresses in their defensive system. He'll be fortunate to have someone like Marinelli to counsel him in the ways of excellence. I would think Rod is probably drooling at the mere thought of having someone with his measurables to work with. It would, indeed, be intriguing to see him inserted as a situational DE.

 

[cowboys1981]

Great analysis and our FO did good in bringing him in. I really liked him as a late rd pick and I'm glad he made it to big D where he'll fit right in.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Strikes me as a "Chris Canty" type.

 

[xwalker]

Strikes me as a "Chris Canty" type.

Yes, that thought crossed my mind but I don't think Canty was ever a consideration to play as a 4-3 DE even if he had been drafted by a 4-3 team; whereas, Irving might be a Strong Side DE here. He might have a little Too Tall to his game.

 

[Kaiser]

I thought Irvin Irving looked good tonight for a rookie that had been in this scheme for a week. Anything that him, Gregory and Ryan Russell do this year is gravy but next year all three of those guys are going to be solid contributors. You saw how much better DLaw looked tonight with an offseason under his belt and the year of experience in the system. Give them a year to learn the system and hit the weight room and Gregory, Russell and Irving are all going to be good players - and Gregory will probably be a great one.

 

[KLJ]

I thought Irvin Irving looked good tonight for a rookie that had been in this scheme for a week. Anything that him, Gregory and Ryan Russell do this year is gravy but next year all three of those guys are going to be solid contributors. You saw how much better DLaw looked tonight with an offseason under his belt and the year of experience in the system. Give them a year to learn the system and hit the weight room and Gregory, Russell and Irving are all going to be good players - and Gregory will probably be a great one.

we're always a year away.. great

 

[Kaiser]

we're always a year away.. great

You might have missed this, but we have 7 guys on the depth chart of those three (or 3 in Gregory's case).

 

[Kaiser]

BTW, for the people who thought cutting Devon Coleman was a boneheaded move - he hasn't been picked up by another team, even for a practice squad. Swapping him out for Irving was a good move.

 

[cowboys1981]

Not to knock Russell, but Irving showed out more with his limited play time than he did. Keep him active next week.

 

[SportsGuru80]

Irving has the makings of a real star, he is going to be a playmaker... You can see it.

 

[MrMom]

He was a bright spot for the defense tonight. Flashed more than once.

 

[xwalker]

Not to knock Russell, but Irving showed out more with his limited play time than he did. Keep him active next week.

Yep, I said in the review that I had a feeling that Irving was more NFL ready than Russell. I still think Russell has good physical ability, but he was lost when he played. Irving on the other hand jumped right in and made plays. Some players just take longer to learn than others (see Claiborne, Morris).