Seahawks DE Bruce Irvin could see some time at outside linebacker.

"Athletically, absolutely," GM John Schneider said, when asked about the ability for Irvin to play linebacker. "But really, as a pass rusher he needs to improve his game as well. And I'm sure he'd tell you the same thing." Both Irvin and Cliff Avril are expected to see time at strong-side 'backer and "Leo" pass rusher. SLB K.J. Wright could then move to the weak side.

Rookie DE Bruce Irvin will start Sunday's Divisional playoff game against the Falcons.

The Seahawks lost their best end Chris Clemons to a torn ACL and meniscus in last Sunday's win over the Redskins. "This is Bruce's opportunity. This is what we drafted him to play and we'll see how he does," coach Pete Carroll said. "We expect him to do really well as he steps up." Irvin can certainly fill Clemons' shoes as a pass-rusher, but his ability to hold up in the run game is a question.

DE Bruce Irvin has set the Seahawks' rookie record for sacks with eight.

Irvin was widely panned as a massive reach when the Seahawks took him at No. 15 overall. But he's ended up playing well while appearing on 43 percent of the defensive snaps, backing up Chris Clemons at the "Elephant" spot and getting to the quarterback as a third-down specialist. "He's had a very good year, and he's a factor and you can tell (opponents) are doing things to take care of him protection-wise," coach Pete Carroll said.

Seahawks first-round DE Bruce Irvin had two sacks in Week 5 and is up to 4.5 for the season.

Perhaps Irvin wasn't such a reach at No. 15 after all. The Seahawks have already posted 16 sacks in five games this year after managing just 33 all of last season. Irvin's burst off the edge as a situational pass rusher has been a big part of that. Tom Brady and the Patriots offense will have their hands full with this swarming unit in Week 6.

Coach Pete Carroll brushed off first-round DE Bruce Irvin's zero sacks or tackles through three preseason games.

Seahawks first-round DE Bruce Irvin has been "the talk of training camp because of his quickness off the edge and his long wing span."

Defenses are going younger and quicker around the league, and Irvin is an elite athlete with rare speed for an edge rusher. The Seahawks drafted Irvin to have the kind of impact that 49ers pass-rusher Aldon Smith did as a rookie in nickel and dime packages. He's one of the reasons we're high on the Seahawks as a sneaky fantasy defense this year.

Two NFL general managers tell the National Football Post that they had Seahawks first-rounder Bruce Irvin rated as the best pass rusher in the draft.

The question is whether Irvin will be limited to a situational role if he doesn't develop coverage and run-defense skills. "He's not a finished product," Seattle GM John Schneider acknowledged. "He's like a lump of clay. He has a lot of work to do, don't get me wrong. But he is a guy the coaches think they can mold. His change of direction testing was phenomenal. His movement skills are phenomenal."