Khalil Mack thinks Raiders’ defense can be as good as Broncos’

Khalil Mack thinks Raiders’ defense can be as good as Broncos’ After a long day of meetings and practice and more meetings, Lee Smith finally would plop down in his hotel room at training camp and open up a bottle of Napa whine. The Raiders’ tight end is often lined up against All-Pro defensive end Khalil Mack in practice, and “I called my wife and complained about it at night,” Smith said, smiling. Mack, coming off a 15-sack season, knows only one speed, and he let Smith and the offensive linemen have it at training camp. There are many reasons why the Raiders are confident that they will make the jump from 7-9 to the playoffs, and the 6-foot-3, 260-pound hurricane is the biggest one. The Raiders open the regular season in New Orleans on Sunday, and many consider Mack a favorite to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors. Last season, his 84 pressures (sacks, quarterbacks hits and hurried throws) led the league, according to Pro Football Focus, and he’s equally good against the run. The Raiders’ offensive linemen love that they don’t have to go against him in games. Mack “bends, he’s about this far from the ground,” said offensive line coach Mike Tice, reaching down and putting his hand about a foot off the ground. Raiders linebacker Malcolm Smith compared Mack to Chiefs Hall of Fame pass-rusher Derrick Thomas. Mack doesn’t back down from opponents who hold or grab his facemask, or when an offensive lineman brings a buddy to stop him. The Raiders signed Irvin from the Seahawks to help pressure the quarterback from the right side and take some attention off Mack. Mack said the Raiders’ defense can be as good as that of the Super Bowl champion Broncos.