It's Malcolm Koonce's Time to Shine for the Raiders

Las Vegas Raiders' Chandler Jones' status for Sunday is up in the air and Malcolm Koonce will have to step up.

The Las Vegas Raiders entered this season with an emphasis on the defensive line. After two seasons playing behind multiple veterans at his position, there is no better time for the emergence of Malcolm Koonce than right now. 

Koonce is primed and ready to step up as he enters his third season in the league and second season under Coach Josh McDaniels.  Koonce has spent the offseason working on every aspect of his game.

"Paying attention to my stance, getting off the ball," Koonce said. 'Things that take no talent to focus on or key in on." 

Koonce's two coaching staffs in his first two seasons in the NFL made last year one for learning, but prepared him for this season. He will use the knowledge gained last season, as he will undoubtedly see the field more this season than at any other point in his career. 

"I definitely feel more comfortable in the system it's my second year in the system," Koonce told SI. "It's the first time since I've been in the same system for two years. So, it felt good." 

While there has been a learning curve, Koonce has looked to those around him to help him transition into a productive player for the Raiders' defensive line. 

"I've learned from pretty much everyone through this building," Koonce told SI. "Not even just the older guys, some of the younger guys. In order to be in this business, you have to be a sponge to everybody around you."

What is unique about what Koonce showed during this preseason, when he showed that he can impact the opposing offense, even if his play doesn't necessarily show up on the stat sheet. 

Koonce understands there are multiple ways to impact the game. He registered only a handful of tackles during in the preseason, but he had multiple pressures. He'll look to have a similar impact this week in Denver.

"If we just play our game and rush how we know we can rush, I think we can have a good day," Koonce said.

The defense's success will not be entirely dependent upon Koonce's play, but it'll be imperative for Koonce to have a good season. Based on his play this preseason, he looks like he's ready to do so. 

The combination of him and Tyree Wilson will have to be prepared for more snaps than they or the coaching staff may have initially expected -- both this Sunday and this season. 

The Silver and Black open the regular season at the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Sept. 10, at 4:25 p.m. EDT/1:25 p.m. PDT.

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