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Bruce Irvin has high praise for Khalil Mack

Chicago Bears v Seattle Seahawks

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 27: Linebacker Bruce Irvin #51 of the Seattle Seahawks looks on prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at CenturyLink Field on September 27, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

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The Raiders spent big back in March and are thinking big as the 2016 season approaches.

Bruce Irvin, one of the team’s new acquisitions, hasn’t been shy in talking about the team’s goals, and Irvin told the team’s official website he’s very much looking forward to playing opposite a “beast” in All-Pro pass rusher Khalil Mack.

“We watched a lot of Oakland film in Seattle, so I would watch Khalil, and the guy is on his way to becoming one of the best rushers in the league – if [he’s] not already,” Irvin said. “I think me being on the other side of him, I’m going to benefit a lot and get one-on-one situations, and I have to win those matchups.

He’s just a freak, man. He can play the run. He can rush. He can do all types of stuff, [he’s] the kind of guy you want to play with.”

Irvin has already dubbed he and Mack as “The Slash Brothers.” Irvin had 5.5 sacks last year for the Seahawks and has 22 in his four-year career. Mack had 15 sacks last season and has 19 in his two-year career.

The Raiders added Irvin, safety Reggie Nelson and cornerback Sean Smith to their defense via free agency, so expectations are high. The praise for Mack isn’t new, either. Raiders linebacker Malcolm Smith recently compared Mack to Hall of Fame pass rusher Derrick Thomas.