Ken Norton Jr.'s task of revamping the Oakland Raiders' defense may be easier than anticipated.
Norton was named the Raiders' defensive coordinator on Feb. 6, after coaching the Seattle Seahawks' linebackers from 2010-2014.
Oakland has built its defense around a pair of promising linebackers in Sio Moore and Khalil Mack, and Norton swooned about the latter Monday.
"I've been very, very impressed," Norton said to ESPN's Michael Wagaman about Mack. "One thing I have with my linebackers at Seattle, we do a great job of just watching other players across the league to see what they do well."
Mack graded out as the best 4-3 outside linebacker in the league according to Pro Football Focus.
"Khalil Mack is a guy, with Bruce Irvin and the rest of my SAM linebackers, guys on the strong side, just watched his explosion, his speed, his combination of size and his strength … He's a really smart player and he loves playing ball. I've done really well with young men who have a knack of making plays and really love playing football."
Norton is uniquely qualified to rate Mack's credentials, being named to the Pro Bowl three times and winning three Super Bowls during his playing career with the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers.
