David Irving would be a perfect fit with the Las Vegas Raiders
By Brad Weiss
The Las Vegas Raiders hosted defensive lineman David Irving on Saturday, and the Silver and Black would be a perfect fit for him in 2020 and beyond.
David Irving‘s journey to the NFL began as an undrafted free agent out of Iowa State, but his next stop could end up being with the Las Vegas Raiders. Out of the NFL since the 2018 season due to issues with the league’s drug policy, Irving was conditionally reinstated by the NFL this weekend, and quickly made a visit to the Silver and Black.
Irving retired from the game due to the league’s policy on marijuana use, and became an activist for cannabis. Now that he is back, the Raiders are a team that would be a perfect fit for him.
Played under Rod Marinelli
The last time we saw Irving playing in the NFL, he was with the Dallas Cowboys, whose defensive coordinator just happened to be the Raiders current defensive line coach. Rod Marinelli was able to get tremendous production out of Irving when he was available, including the young defensive lineman posting seven sacks in eight games in 2017.
Irving is familiar with what Marinelli likes to do defensively, and can come in and join a defensive line group that is coming off their best game of the season in Week 5. With Carl Nassib nursing a broken toe, and Clelin Ferrell playing well inside, Irving would find a soft landing spot in Vegas along a young defensive line, and a mentor and friend in Marinelli.
Raiders have history of helping troubled players
The Raiders have long been a franchise that has had no problem helping players get their life together on and off the field, and we have seen it recently with guys like Darren Waller and Aldon Smith. Since arriving with the Silver and Black, both have gone on to enjoy success, Waller with the Raiders, and Smith with the Cowboys.
This franchise has solid protocol in place to help those who have had their issues off the field, and head coach Jon Gruden is well-respected across the league. If Irving wants an organization that is going to help him in both facets of his life, then it is the Raiders that makes the most sense for him right now.
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Based on what we saw in Week 5, this Raiders defense is trending in the right direction, and if Irving is in shape, and has his life together, he makes perfect sense. This is a team that is a couple pieces away from being a real contender in the AFC, and if he can help them right away, why not take a chance.