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OAKLAND – Raiders outside linebacker Khalil Mack’s official stat line doesn’t fully describe his impact in Sunday’s 26-24 victory over the Buffalo Bills.
He had five tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss and three other quarterback hits. Oh, just you wait until the quarterback hurries come out on Monday. There’s going to be a lot of ‘em.
The No. 5 overall pick has made an impact in several games. He has had more sacks in a four-quarter stretch. This, however, might have been Mack’s best game.
The rookie wasn’t in the mood to rank efforts, but he knew Sunday was a good day at the office.
[INSTANT REPLAY: Raiders hold off Bills for third win of season]
“I was trying to get pressure on the quarterback, man,” Mack said. “That’s what I do every week. … you can get double-teams here and there, but even then you have to make plays. That’s what I came here to do.”
Veteran Justin Tuck has mentored Mack in his first season and believes big games like Mack had on Sunday will become a regular occurrence.
“He has a bright future to say the least,” Tuck said. “I can remember being a young stud, and Michael Strahan helped me in the same way (I’m trying to help Khalil). It’s fun to watch him go out there and play, especially with passion he brings. When you’re young, your body allows you to do things that are beyond belief. When you see some things he’s able to do, it’s exciting to think of what kind of player he can turn in to.”
Mack said earlier this week that small numbers in his stat line can be frustrating. He wants do well for the fans and show them he can play, and sacks and tackles for a loss make the biggest impression. He made a few “wow” plays against Buffalo, including a sack in the third quarter that came on 3rd-and-6 from the Bills’ 24-yard line.
“He’s got a lot of gas in his tank, the kid does,” interim head coach Tony Sparano said. “I thought early in the game he was around the quarterback, he was hitting him, and doing a bunch of those things. He came to the sideline after one series where he just made a good hit and forced the ball to go to the ground and I told him, ‘You’ve got this kid guessing right now. You’re going to get there, just keep pushing. You’re going to get there.’ Then he made a big sack out there for us.
“This guy flies around all the time. I think it’s going to be what makes this guy a special player down the road here. He still has a lot to learn obviously, but he’s got a great toolbox.”
