Oakland Raiders edge rusher Bruce Irvin has been a consistent sack producer in his first two seasons with the team. He’s recorded 15 over his first 32 games and matched his career-high with eight last season.
Irvin did that type of damage despite going out into coverage at times at outside linebacker for former head coach Jack Del Rio. But with Jon Gruden and defensive coordinator Paul Guenther now in charge, Irvin will be asked to do what he does best, which is get to the quarterback. The Raiders expect that change will result in a lot more sacks for him this season.
Article Continues Below“I knew he was a really gifted rusher,” Guenther said per Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com. “… Just coming here, I thought his best assets for us was to go forward rather than go backwards. He’s done a good job with what we’re asking him to do in the base fronts. Obviously, we know what he can do as a pass-rusher. Hopefully, we can get him over a double-digit [sack] mark this year. That’s the goal for him.”
Irvin has also brought up the fact that his new role within the Raiders defense this season could lead to him finally reaching that coveted double-digit sack number.
The Raiders rely heavily on the duo of Irving and Khalil Mack to provide pressure on the quarterback. The Raider pass rusher with the next-closest sack total aside from the two of them last season was Mario Edwards Jr. with 3.5.
A lot will be riding on Irvin’s shoulders to deliver what’s expected of him. But if he successfully meets that goal of getting to 10-plus sacks this season, the Raiders defense will be all the better for it.