MORGANTOWN —
You’ll pardon me this morning for jumping ahead of myself, but considering that the subject of this piece is Bruce Irvin, it doesn’t pay to dawdle.
You are already somewhat familiar with this newcomer to the West Virginia University football program, my compadre Mickey Furfari having written an introductory column earlier this week. There was every intention in this little corner of the world to wait until Tuesday, when Mountaineer coach Bill Stewart takes the muzzle off his newcomers and allows them to talk.
The problem is that following WVU’s first scrimmage of camp on Saturday afternoon, we no longer can sit on what well may be the biggest story of this camp.
Bruce Irvin may be just that good.
First off, he is a physical beast, part linebacker, part down lineman, a refuge from California, where he played on a national championship junior college team, spending so much time in the opponent’s backfield that the opponents almost had to retire his uniform jersey.
Here at West Virginia, in order for you to identify this blur of a pass rusher, his number is 11.
Not that Jeff Braun knows it. He was the offensive tackle on Irvin’s side and it was in many ways important for him to show well in this scrimmage, as the right tackle spot has been identified as the most worrisome on the offensive line.
This was no contest.
All Braun knew was that he felt a welcome breeze on the first couple of pass plays as Irvin went by him almost before the snap count from the quarterback had reached him.
Twice, early on, he ventured into the backfield to destroy a play, leading Stewart to marvel, “Bruce Irvin is a man out there. He pass rushes. He dents the pocket. He gives tremendous effort. I like the way his motor runs. Please, put that down. I like the way 11’s motor runs.”
It is quite a motor, to be sure, one not to be found outside the ranks of NASCAR.
His presence, along with much heralded linebacker J.T. Thomas on that side, and speed rushing Julian Miller in the middle of what WVU is referring to as its 4-0 defense, meaning four down linemen on passing downs, could make quarterbacks an extinct species in the Big East by season’s end.
Noel Devine, who found himself in a situation of trying to block him, understands.
“I don’t think I’ve seen anything quite like that,” Devine said. “I blocked a couple of times and he’s got strength and quickness.”
That is like saying the gun is loaded.
“He’ll definitely help us out in the 4-0,” said Thomas. “He’s a speed player and the pass rush is his thing.”
What does an offense do as it calls a pass play with Irvin and
Thomas coming together from one side and Miller coming up the middle? There are not enough blockers to account for all that and you won’t see them missing many tackles when they get back there.
Who do you block with Thomas and Irvin playing games on that side?
“Who?” said Thomas. “I don’t know who you would pick.”
This, of course, was only part of the show in the initial scrimmage. Like any good coach, Stewart was sparse handing out praise as he understands the goal is to be good on Sept. 4, not Aug. 15.
“As we said early in the week, much talent, much confusion,” he said.
Perhaps it is Stewart who was confused, for there was a lot to like. To begin with, Devine broke loose on a 79-yard touchdown scamper, cutting off behind the block of a pulling guard and fullback Ryan Clarke.
“That play is designed to have that happen,” Devine said. “I would be surprised if that play doesn’t get positive yards every time.”
Much attention, of course, went to the quarterback position, where Geno Smith takes over with a pair of freshmen behind him and other than the normal mistakes that come early in the year, it was a great debut for all.
Smith completed 9 of 10 passes for 61 yards, Barry Brunetti 4 of 4 for 45 yards and Jeremy Johnson hit 3 of 3 for 7 yards. If you are counting, that is 16 of 17 passes, which offers hope that the Mountaineers will have a ball control passing game to go with the threat Devine offers.
Oh, Stewart didn’t like some of the sloppiness, not breaking on the ball, penalties, a mess up on a snap exchange, but if you don’t make mistakes in practice you can’t correct them.
On balance, it was a nice way to begin the summer for the Mountaineers.
E-mail Bob Hertzel at bhertzel@hotmail.com.
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