Carolina Panthers: Bruce Irvin is already showing leadership for team

Irvin also plans on making an impact off the field for the Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers and their fans should be excited about the signing of Bruce Irvin. He will bring veteran leadership to the defense and some additional depth to the defensive end position. Another player that should be really excited that Bruce Irvin is in town is Bryan Cox Jr. Although he will probably have to compete with Irvin on the field, he now has himself a mentor he can look up to.

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This was definitely a great signing for the Carolina Panthers in that regard. They brought in someone in Irvin that knows what it takes to win, has been a part of winning teams, and knows how to help foster a winning culture. This is a player that has been to the playoffs five times in his eight seasons and won a Super Bowl. Although he did not have his best season last year, he recorded six sacks and seven tackles. If he can bring that type of production to the Carolina Panthers, then that will certainly be welcome.

Irvin told the media earlier this week that Cox reminds him a lot of a younger Bruce Irvin. That is certainly a good starting point for Cox who looks to make some noise this season now that he has the opportunity with Julius Peppers no longer here. He should figure to be part of the defensive equation for the Carolina Panthers this season as they will certainly have options at defensive end. Not only will they have options, they will have a lot of unproven players such as Marquise Haynes and Efe Obada. They did well in the minimal roles last year, but now they figure to be put to the test quite a bit more. Hopefully, they do not suffer a slump.

"“He reminds me of a Young Bruce,” said Irvin, as noted by The Riot Report. “When I came into this league, I was everywhere as far as staying consistent on the field, learning how to be a pro. I had older guys – Chris Clemmons, Brandon Mebane – those guys really took me under their wing and showed me how to be a pro and molded me to become a good man.“I’m kind of eager to share my knowledge with Bryan and really get to know him, and I’m looking forward to him having a lot of success in this league.”"

Irvin certainly learned from some of the best in the National Football League at the time. The Legion of Boom was a moniker that may have been given to the quarterbacks, but it could have applied to the whole defense. Seattle had an unstoppable defense during the peak of their success, and they instilled fear into the hearts of every offense they faced. Guys like Mebane may have not been recognized by the national media all that often. However, the quarterbacks recognized when Mebane was coming. If Irvin can give some of the knowledge that he has soaked in during his career to Cox, that could be crucial in the latter’s development.

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Cox needs to be able to take the next step in his career. He signed to a new contract a couple weeks ago, and now he has to prove he is worth it. The National Football League is very much a “next man up” type of league. Especially at the defensive end position, where getting to the quarterback is crucial, if you do not do your job, you probably will be replaced. Now, Cox needs to show that he can be a dependable player. Irvin should be able to help him do that.

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