With The First Pick
Fansided

Why Edge Rusher Khalil Mack Isn’t Dominanting

By Carl Cockerham

Aug 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) attempts to rush past Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) in the second quarter at Oakland Alameda Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) attempts to rush past Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) in the second quarter at Oakland Alameda Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) stands on the field before the start of the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) stands on the field before the start of the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

Bottom Line

The Raiders can’t control when Edwards or Smith can come back but there are some things they can control. You simply don’t put your most dominant player in a position he doesn’t fit in. He’s a dominant 3-4 SAM, just like Taylor was back in his day.

They have the same playing style just like Smith’s playing style is just like Haley’s. We didn’t see Bill Parcells try to turn Taylor into a hybrid like Hayley back in the day. He allowed Taylor to be Taylor, a SAM that can blitz and rush the passer on passing downs.

Parcells also didn’t bring in a cover linebacker at darn-near $10 million a year to play his position. I like Irvin but that was a colossal waste of money. He get’s one on one blocking all day so he should have at least four sacks by now.

Either way, the Raiders need to stop trying to accommodate Norton and his boys from Seattle. The Raiders defense needs to be all about Mack so they should go back to more 3-4 looks. When the Raiders did that last year, the run defense and pass rush improved.

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