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Oakland Raiders not named Carr or Mack crucial to team’s 2018 success

By Kevin Saito

CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 31: The Oakland Raiders during the national anthem prior to the game against the Oakland Raiders at StubHub Center on December 31, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 31: The Oakland Raiders during the national anthem prior to the game against the Oakland Raiders at StubHub Center on December 31, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Oakland Raiders
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Bruce Irvin

At some point, All-Universe Everything, Khalil Mack, will be back in an Oakland jersey and on the field. Whether it’s with a fat new contract, or playing out the fifth-year on his rookie deal, Mack will be back in the lineup at some point.

For the Raiders to succeed though, they’re going to need a consistent pass rush. They’re going to need to be able to generate consistent pressure on the quarterback – and get that pressure from guys other than Mack.

Which is where Irvin comes in.

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    • One of the first changes Gruden and DC Paul Guenther made, was moving Irvin from linebacker to defensive end. Their belief being that letting him put his hand in the dirt and focus primarily on rushing the passer, rather than worrying about dropping into pass coverage, best utilizes his speed and skills.

    Irvin concurs and has made no secret about being excited to line up across from Mack and get after the quarterback.

    Irvin has never had more than eight sacks in any one season. He has a total of 15 in his two seasons with the Raiders – seven in 2016, and eight in 2017. The 30-year old Irvin though, is looking forward to feasting his season and has set his sights on reaching double digit sacks this year.

    Fun fact – no Raiders player, other than Mack, has had double digit sacks since he came into the league in 2014.

    Which, of course, means that Irvin getting to double digits this year would be a tremendous accomplishment and could go a long way towards putting some actual teeth into Oakland’s pass rush.

    And for the Raiders to have some success, they’ll need to have that – a fearless and ferocious pass rush.

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