The Raiders were active in free agency this offseason and the additions of players like linebacker Bruce Irvin, guard Kelechi Osemele and cornerback Sean Smith promise a higher level of talent across the roster than they had last season.
For linebacker Malcolm Smith, that talent is just part of the reason to have higher expectations about how this year will play out in Oakland. Smith sees a second year under coach Jack Del Rio, defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. and offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave is “definitely key” for the coming year because the team has taken its lumps and found ways to “put guys in the best position.”
“I feel like we’ve taken a big step, especially in the offseason, just learning, increasing our football knowledge,” Smith said on Sirius XM NFL Radio with Mike Keith and Bill Polian. “That was one thing we had in Seattle was a really high football IQ as a team. That’s something Jack’s preaching and, obviously, Ken Norton as well and then coach Musgrave. I think that’s going to take us to the playoffs. That’ll be the difference making our season this year.”
A high IQ is great, but it never hurts to have some physical might on your side as well. The Raiders have that in Khalil Mack, who Smith compared to Derrick Thomas while saying his presence is “just going to make things better” for everyone on the Raiders defense.
The additions to the unit can do the same for Mack and that balance bodes well for the defensive future in Oakland.