Sep 21, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back Shane Vereen (34) is tackled by Oakland Raiders line backer Khalil Mack (52) and safety Charles Woodson (24) during the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooer-USA TODAY Sports
Bottom Line
If high draft picks are going to make an impact on your football team, they need to be put in position to do so and Mack is no exception. The switch Tarver made to the 3-4 is the equivalent of Hue Jackson implementing power blocking for running back Darren McFadden in 2010. In their first full game using the 3-4, the Raiders defense went from giving up 200 yards per game to 76 yards rushing.
The Raiders would be No. 6 in the NFL in run defense if that was their average as Mack is now second in the NFL in tackles for a loss. His pressures and hits on the quarterback helped the defense get off the field on third down against the Patriots too. As far as sacks go, their going to start coming in bunches, especially when the Raiders get healthy at corner.
The tighter coverage is going to make it difficult to throw the ball in just one second as opposing teams have been doing. That’s going to make the Raiders a dangerous team after the bye because the defense is going to keep games close. All because the Raiders have themselves an impact player that they drafted in the first round this year.