Malcolm Koonce placing emphasis on mental side of the game heading into Year 4

Patrick Graham is delighted to witness Malcolm Koonce’s emergence as a leader in real-time, a sight that brings a smile to his face.

During offseason training sessions, the Raiders’ defensive coordinator was pleasantly surprised to observe Koonce, who is typically reserved, providing guidance on proper techniques to newly arrived undrafted free agents (UDFAs) while they engaged in individual drills.

Describing Koonce’s approach as authoritative coaching, Graham remarked, “He’s like, ‘Do it this way, try that.’ When you witness that, it demonstrates his mastery of the subject. … As someone who teaches football, I felt a sense of pride and excitement.

Not long ago, Koonce was the one seeking advice from teammates such as Maxx Crosby, with whom he partnered in 11 games the previous season.

Now, after recording eight sacks and forcing three fumbles, Koonce is poised to enter his fourth year as a genuine leader on the defensive side, even though he may not fully embrace the label just yet.

“I’m not sure about being a leader, but I believe that having been here for some time, I have gained a deeper understanding,” Koonce expressed during OTAs on Tuesday. “It feels like just yesterday that I was in their shoes walking into the building. Therefore, I recognize certain aspects that I lacked initially, which I may be able to assist them with.”

As he has progressed over the past three seasons, his approach remains rooted in the mindset of “if it’s not broken, there’s no need to fix it.” He is not inclined to set rigid goals based solely on statistics, as he prefers not to get too far ahead of himself. His primary focus lies in the present moment, consistently working to enhance his skills day by day while maintaining his established training regimen.

While there have been adjustments, they have predominantly centered on the mental aspect of the game rather than the physical. He has dedicated himself to refining his techniques in the film room, methodically analyzing both his own performances and those of other pass rushers in the league.

Reflecting on his preparations for his fourth year, Koonce remarked, “I don’t believe much has changed. It’s mainly about aiming to start strong, maintaining my performance level, and building on what I already know… I observe players throughout the league, particularly those of similar build, to learn how they excel in securing sacks and approaching the game. Additionally, I am focused on remaining fully engaged in my present activities.”

Koonce now finds himself amidst what could arguably be considered the most formidable defensive line group since his arrival in Las Vegas. In addition to his and Crosby’s contributions, the team has welcomed the impressive Christian Wilkins, adding another dynamic presence to the unit.

Despite the heightened potential of the defensive line, akin to his personal approach, Koonce chooses not to be swayed by external hype surrounding the group.

“In my opinion, it’s about staying true to ourselves,” he explained. “Last season, especially towards the end, it was all about embracing our individuality, playing with joy, and simply enjoying the game.”