Mack will have ‘a lot of catching up to do' learning new Raiders defense

ALAMEDA – Khalil Mack wasn’t present for the Raiders latest OTA session. No shocker, there.

The elite edge rusher has skipped the entire offseason program waiting for a big-money contract extension to get worked out. Both Mack and the Raiders want a deal done, but pacts of this magnitude often take time.

Mack isn’t risking injury before something gets locked down. To this point, he hasn’t missed anything mandatory. The offseason program is voluntary, though he could be subject to fines for missing next week’s three-day mandatory minicamp.

It’s uncertain, yet unexpected for Mack to show up without a contract. Even that’s of little concern in the grand scheme, considering Mack’s work ethic and commitment to maintaining peak physical condition.

These spring sessions are more important than usual, however, with defensive coordinator Paul Guenther installing a new scheme.

“He’s going to have a lot of catching up to do,” Guenther said Tuesday. “We’re going to have to have a plan for that for sure. Really, I’m really concerned about the guys that are here now working.”

Guenther hopes Mack will be back working with his team soon, but doesn’t know when that will happen.

“He’ll have to work that out. I don’t get involved too much,” Guenther said. “Like I said, I coach the guys that are here.”

Mack is set to play the 2018 season here on a fifth-year team option worth a fully guaranteed $13.84 million. He’s set for unrestricted free agency after that – the Raiders have franchise tags available at that point – but no one expects a contract impasse to last that long.

The Raiders hope to get a deal done before training camp begins in late July, which is possibility. The team finalized long-term extensions for Derek Carr and Gabe Jackson after the offseason program ended last year.

Guenther is excited to add Mack to his defense, and has worked on creative ways to get him one-on-one matchups. That, Guenther has said, is as good as a blitz. The Raiders added talent to the defensive interior and an improved edge rotation to help take attention away from Mack, the former NFL defensive player of the year.

PRACTICE NOTES

-- Undrafted rookie Eddy Pineiro was featured exclusively during a field goal drill during Tuesday’s OTA where attempts started short and continually moved further back. The Florida alum was pretty accurate – he only missed two – during this session, where he flashed a strong leg. Pineiro put one attempt on the Raiders performance center roof, well behind goal posts he split.

Incumbent Giorgio Tavecchio watched while Pineiro took every rep, working with rookie punter, holder and fellow Florida alum Johnny Townsend. Tavecchio fared well last year, but it’s clear Pineiro will be given every chance to earn the kicker job in 2018.

-- First-round rookie Kolton Miller took quite a few first-team reps at left tackle, a position open with Donald Penn limited in his return from foot surgery. He took a few on the right side, a new development in sessions open to the press, but that spot was primarily anchored by third-round rookie Brandon Parker.

Breno Giacomini will have an inside track to the right tackle job, but Parker will compete heavily for it this summer.

-- Receiver Amari Cooper was back practicing after suffering a hamstring strain on May 22. He was working on the side last week during a session open to the press.

-- Receiver Martavis Bryant and left guard Kelechi Osemele were not present for Tuesday’s voluntary OTA session.

-- Defensive lineman Fadol Brown stood out in team drills.

“He’s been real active in there,” Guenther said. “He’s learning the defense. Just the technique and the footwork of everything we’re asking him to do. He’s going to surprise some people I think this year.”

-- Receiver Ryan Switzer is already a favorite of this coaching staff, and could be an offensive weapon if he performs well this summer. He and Dwayne Harris seem to be the frontrunners to return punts.

-- Veteran middle linebacker Derrick Johnson has taken second-year pro Nicholas Morrow under his wing, something that could significantly aid the coverage linebacker’s development.

-- Instead of running an OTA practice on Thursday, the Raiders will host a 7-on-7 prep passing league tournament at their Alameda complex. Raiders players will coach prep teams.

-- Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther said Maurice Hurst (Michigan) is a bit ahead of fellow rookie draft pick P.J. Hall (Sam Houston State), in large part due to his experience at a larger school.

-- The Raiders secondary had a strong practice Tuesday, highlighted by a pair of interceptions. Daryl Worley jumped a route and picked Connor Cook. Marcus Gilchrist nabbed an EJ Manuel pass tipped by Rashaan Melvin and returned it a great distance, sparking a huge celebration among defenders.