How Clemons’ injury impacts Seahawks’ pass rush
Jan 8, 2013, 2:14 PM | Updated: 2:18 pm
By Brady Henderson
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll sounds like he’s leaning toward elevating rookie Bruce Irvin into a starting role now that Chris Clemons has been lost to a season-ending knee injury.
In that case, Irvin would transition from a situational pass rusher to the weakside defensive end, a every-down position in which Clemons has thrived.
Less clear is which player would assume Irvin’s role. Irvin led all rookies with eight sacks, seeing most of his playing time in passing situations opposite Clemons. Fellow rookie Greg Scruggs, a seventh-round pick, is one option. Scruggs had two sacks and six tackles in 11 games.
Danny O’Neil of The Seattle Times and 710 ESPN Seattle discussed this issue when he joined “Brock and Salk” on Tuesday. O’Neil thinks replacing Irvin is the bigger concern.
“I don’t think the drop-off between Clemons and Irvin is as significant as what it does to your depth,” he said.
The video below includes additional thoughts from Brock Huard and Mike Salk on how the Seahawks will proceed without Clemons.
You can listen to Tuesday’s podcast here.
