The pair spent three seasons together in Seattle playing for the Seahawks under then-linebackers coach Ken Norton, Jr., and Smith knows exactly the type of player Irvin is and what he can bring to the table for the Raiders.

"[He's a] strong, fast, just really physically impressive, smart player," Smith said about Irvin. "He's not going to make mistakes. He's a smart football player. He's going to get after the quarterback rushing, and he's going to make big plays in big situations. He's one of those guys that you can expect when the game's on the line, he'll bear down and be really close to the quarterback and he'll get him."

Were the Raiders an improved team in 2015? Yes.

Did they reach all their goals in the process? No.

Heading into 2016, expectations surrounding the team are high – as they should be – but even after an impressive haul in free agency, Smith knows that Super Bowls aren't won on paper, they're won the field in the fall.