New Raiders linebacker Bruce Irvin and defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. go way back. The pair worked together in Seattle, when Norton Jr. was his position coach, and developed a familial bond.
Irvin was drafted No. 15 overall in the 2012 NFL draft, an edge rusher/end from West Virginia turned into more of a complete linebacker under Norton’s tutelage. Norton helped Irvin get on the correct path and away from off-field issues that were part of a four-game suspension in 2013 for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
“He’s a great guy, one of the main reasons that I decided to get here,” Irvin said Thursday night in a conference call.