Sack total doesn’t tell the whole story for Bruce Irvin
Dec 17, 2012, 4:33 PM | Updated: 4:36 pm
By Brady Henderson
A few plays in the Seahawks’ 50-17 win over Buffalo showed how pass rushers can make positive impacts even when their efforts don’t result in sacks.
Jason Jones didn’t bring down Ryan Fitzpatrick, but his pressure on one third-quarter passing play kept the Bills quarterback from stepping into his throw. Fitzpatrick’s pass sailed over its intended target and was intercepted by Earl Thomas, who returned it 57 yards for a touchdown.
Chris Clemons had 2 1/2 sacks against Buffalo. Bruce Irvin had none. But afterward, Clemons said Irvin’s presence on the other side is giving Clemons more one-on-one matchups.
Irvin also recovered a fumble that Clemons forced on one of his sacks and nearly returned it for a touchdown.
Irvin leads all rookies with eight sacks, two shy of the goal he says he set before the season. That goal seems well within reach. The Seahawks play their final two regular-season games at CenturyLink Field, where the crowd noise puts visiting teams’ offensive tackles at a disadvantage. Six of Irvin’s eight sacks have come at home.
In the video below, Bob Stelton and Dave Grosby discuss the impact Irvin has had during his rookie season.
You can listen to Monday’s podcast here.
