Bruce Irvin Brings Ruggedness, 'Low-Key Starstruck' by Coaches

Bruce Irvin is ready to set the tone on defense.

The Detroit Lions wanted to bring in a veteran pass-rusher who possessed a rugged attitude and had something to prove. 

Bruce Irvin had a desperate need to prove he could still contribute for a team in need of help on defense. 

At 36-years-old and not having played a snap since January of this year, thoughts that his time in the NFL might be over started to creep in. 

“Man, I just kept working out and just trying to stay ready," Irvin told All Lions after his first practice in Detroit. "It’s been hard, just the uncertainty of it, going to work out every day and not knowing. It was tough, but fortunately I’ve got a great wife who continues to push me every day and I got kids who I was trying to get away from every day.”

Linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard helped open the door for Irvin to secure a workout this week. The two used to be high school football teammates in Stone Mountain, Georgia. 

“It was cool, man. I went to high school with Kelvin Sheppard, so a lot of familiarity there. But it was great, they didn’t kill me (during the tryout). A couple drills and I was good," Irvin said. "Really a great staff, a bunch of ex-players. So it’s really cool to be around.”

Early impressions

Detroit features a significant amount of young players on defense. Irvin believes he can add veteran leadership who brings a ruggedness and an attitude necessary to excel on defense. 

“From afar, I just know it’s a lot of young guys. Not really a leader, especially in the D-line room. They need an alpha, they need a guy who’s been in the league, who’s been around some things, not only in the locker room but been through things in life," said Irvin. "That’s just me, from the first couple days that’s what I’ve noticed, but overall, it looks like a good group. They work hard, just gotta get in here and we need a little more. If we want to get to where we want to go, we need a little more."

A true alpha 

Irvin expressed he wanted to be viewed as an alpha, noting, "I’m an alpha, hell yeah. Hell yeah, I’m an alpha."

On the field, opponents can expect a player who isn't likely going to exchange jerseys in public at the end of a game. During a game, Irvin brings a physical style of play that has allowed him to remain in the league since 2012. 

“Just physical, talks s**t. Always gets the last shove. I ain’t helping nobody off the ground. If we ain’t got on the same color jersey, I ain’t helping nobody up. Accountability, including myself," Irvin said. "The way I practice, stand on what I say. If I’m telling you to do something, I gotta make sure I’m presenting it and doing the same thing. This is pretty much lead by example, man. Controlling your attitude, being where your feet are every day and coming here to work.”

While away from the game this season, Irvin struggled to find the same level of satisfaction he experienced when he was able to sack a quarterback on the field. 

“I told my wife the other day, probably two weeks ago, before I knew I had any chance of playing again, I said, ‘Baby, I don’t think I found a high yet that feels better than sacking the quarterback.’ That’s just, I don’t know if I’ll ever experience that type of high outside of football," Irvin expressed. "It’s just something about rushing the passer, man. It’s a unique position and obviously, you can play til you’re 40. 

"I’m 36 and I’m still playing. It’s a unique position, man. If you keep yourself in shape and take care of your body you can play for a really long time.”

Bruce Irvin takes down Purdy! #Seahawks #SuperWildCard

📺: #SEAvsSF on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/96NMtTe9OX pic.twitter.com/EaMFyuxzws

— NFL (@NFL) January 14, 2023

Being starstruck by Lions coaches 

Upon arriving and meeting the coaching staff, Detroit's newest pass-rusher was in awe of the former NFL players who were now part of the coaching staff. 

“He’s real, he’s real," Irvin said, when asked about his first impression of Detroit's defensive coordinator. "I remember watching Aaron Glenn growing up. Aaron Glenn, Dre Bly, Antwaan Randle El, Mark Brunell, I was low-key starstruck seeing all these dudes yesterday. But AG, he’s a real guy. 

"That’s what you want. He don’t sugarcoat it, he tries to keep the play-calls short and sweet so guys can play fast. That’s what you want man. I don’t ever want a coach that’s gonna sugarcoat it and pat me on the back, hug, ‘Bruce, you’ve got 55.5 sacks, so we’re gonna let you get away with this.’ No, coach me, get on my ass and treat me the same as you’re gonna treat an undrafted free agent. That’s the biggest thing that I respect about AG, he treats everybody the same. He’s a player’s coach and he’s real.”

Expectations 

It is not likely Irvin will debut this week against the Bears. Head coach Dan Campbell indicated the veteran was in amazing shape, but still needed to get acclimated and get into football shape. 

Irvin is hoping on Thanksgiving to be able to begin the process of establishing what he can bring to Detroit's defense. 

“I haven’t had on no pads since Jan. 8, in the playoffs, that was the last time. For me, just trying to get in football shape as fast as I can and hopefully I can contribute on Thanksgiving," Irvin said. "Whether it’s five plays, 10 plays, 15 plays, in some type of way. Being out there and just being able to contribute and establishes my name again and letting people know that I’m 36, but I still can play. I can get out there. So, first things first, getting in shape and running around with these guys and hopefully by Thanksgiving I’ll be ready to get in there.”

In practice, Irvin will get a up close look at the top offensive line in the NFL. 

Working in practice against top players allows defensive linemen and linebackers to be able to take advantage of less talented players on the opposition. 

“Big dudes, man. Deck, he’s been in the league a minute. He’s done a lot of great things in this league. Penei Sewell, he’s a baller," said Irvin. "So, I think that’s gonna help me even more, being that those guys are top caliber tackles in this league. 

"It’s just only gonna push me every day to work hard and work my craft so when Sunday comes, and it’s a guy who ain’t as good as Decker, it’ll be easy for me because I’ve been practicing against him the whole week. So this guy’s nothing compared to (Decker). That’s really a good thing that our O-line is so solid.”

Super Bowl story 

Irvin was part of the Seahawks team that dominated the Broncos to cap off the 2013 season with a championship ring. 

"The ring was cool," Irvin explained. "People always ask me about the ring. I’ve said, ‘The ring was cool, but being financially stable is much better than a ring.’ But the ring is cool, it’s extra. My experience, we just got on Denver’s butt quick. 

"By the second quarter, they were asking us when we were gonna go party after the game. By the end of the second quarter, they were asking us, ‘Where y’all going.’ Then Percy (Harvin) came out and put the icing on the cake with the kickoff. It’s kind of like how I feel about the Bears," Irvin commented further. "I feel like they’re better than their record, so if we go out here and play to their level, it’s gonna be a long night for us. But if we go out here, we get on them fast and we make them quit, we’re gonna have our way with them. It’s just about starting fast and once you’ve got a team down, keep ‘em down and step on their necks.”