Pick Six: Michael Mayer turning the corner to play this Sunday

Nov 15, 2024 at 04:00 PM

Levi Edwards

Digital Team Reporter

1. An anticipated return for Michael Mayer

Tight end Michael Mayer was activated off the Reserve/Non-Football Illness list earlier this week, and has been a full participant in practice each day. While Mayer has been ruled questionable for Sunday, Head Coach Antonio Pierce said he's "trending up" to appear in his first game since Week 3.

"Just getting him back to par with our team, obviously a new offensive coordinator there with Scott Turner and just getting back in the fold – we want to be smart with it," Pierce said Friday morning. "But obviously, Mike is a big part of our plans this year, this week and the future so the more we can get him the ball, the better."

Mayer started coming into his own near the end of his rookie season, totaling 145 receiving yards, 14 catches and two touchdowns in his last five games played in 2023. With Brock Bowers also in the fold at tight end, the two can begin to showcase the dynamic duo they were drafted to be for the Raiders. Additionally, Mayer's time away from the field has put him in a good mental space to head into the latter half of this season.

"The No. 1 important rule is that football's not bigger than life. It isn't, and it never has been," said Mayer. "I just needed to figure some things out. That's what I did, and I'm on my feet again. I feel great. I'm sleeping well. I'm doing all the things that I need to be doing to set myself up for success and help the team. Whatever they ask me to do these next eight, nine, 10 weeks, 11 weeks – [I'll] do it for 'em."

2. Father and son collaboration

As Scott Turner is getting acclimated to being the team's interim offensive coordinator, he has a strong support system around him consisting of his father, Norv Turner.

After receiving the promotion, Scott personally asked Antonio Pierce if they could bring in Norv to be a senior advisor, with the Raiders head coach obliging with ease. Pierce said he's had respect for Norv as a coach dating back to his playing days with Washington and the New York Giants.

"They know each other. I think more importantly, Scott listens to Norv, and that's going to be good for the Raiders," Antonio Pierce said Friday morning.

The elder Turner has nearly 40 years of coaching experience in the NFL, including stints as a head coach with the Oakland Raiders, Washington and the San Diego Chargers. This includes 118 career wins as a head coach, regular season and postseason.

"He has such a wealth of knowledge," said Scott Turner on his father. "We were joking about it and I was telling the guys that he was calling offensive plays in the NFL from 1991 to 2019, and he only missed one year. He missed 2017. So, you have somebody that has done that. He had the number one offenses in three different decades. And he's my dad, so we like being around each other. We lost some coaches on offense, so just another set of eyes. He knows how I see football because I learned most of it from him. So, being able to have him at practice every day, not just watching the games from afar or whatever, and helping just with input is invaluable.

"And then, for a personal note, obviously it's good to have him around. And my kids are fired up to have their grandfather around."

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3. True speed

The main theme among the building heading into Miami has been speed. The Dolphins have plenty of it.

Explosive plays have come in bunches for Miami over the last two seasons, with Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Raheem Mostert and De'Von Achane leading the way. Last season they ranked first in total yardage (6,822) and second in points per game (29.2). The Raiders have first-hand experience dealing with their speed, with the Dolphins racking up 422 total offensive yards in their Week 11 encounter in 2023.

"You've got to find a way to match up with their speed, whether it's staying on top, or you can run with them, you've got to figure out a way," said defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. "It's true speed out there on the field at a number of positions. ... I don't care how fast it looks, whether it's run and shoot, whatever they want to call the different offenses, NFL football is a physical game, especially as you start to move into November. And we're starting to ramp up to after Thanksgiving and you can't ever forget the physicality of the game."

The Raiders defense should have a sense of confidence going into the game considering they've allowed only 10 completions of 25+ yards this season, tied for the second fewest in the NFL.

4. Putting pieces together upfront

Next-man up mentality will be at the forefront for the Raiders offensive line this week.

Pierce stated Friday that center Andre James (ankle) and guard Cody Whitehair (ankle) are doubtful for Sunday's game. Additionally, tackle Kolton Miller (ankle) is questionable after being a limited participant at practice throughout the week.

The offensive line will lean on Thayer Munford Jr., Jordan Meredith and rookies Jackson Powers-Johnson and DJ Glaze against the Dolphins. Meredith and Powers-Johnson have been performing at a high level in relief of recent injuries, with the rookie from Oregon sliding over from guard to center and not allowing a single pressure in Week 9 against the Bengals. Additionally, Meredith in his three starts this season has received a 84.5 offensive grade from Pro Football Focus while allowing only one pressure in 152 pass-blocking snaps.

"[H]opefully what we've seen with DJ Glaze and Munford and Kolton Miller, I think Jordan Meredith we haven't talked enough about him, but Jordan's done a hell of a job filling in, and the way he's been playing, he's earned the right to be a starter going forward. So you feel comfortable with the guys you got there," said Pierce.

"You just hate that we keep changing all these pieces along the offensive line, because at some point, you'd like just to have five guys there, continuity, chemistry. That's really the glue to our team, when you can have that. So something we're working on consistently."

5. Jumpin' Jack is back

Jack Jones snagged two highlight reel interceptions returned for a touchdown in 2023, picking up another one in Cincinnati two weeks ago.

Now the Raiders cornerback is one of five players in NFL history to record 4+ interceptions returned for a touchdown in his first three seasons in the NFL. It was his first interception of the season while also being tied with Jakorian Bennett for the team-high in passes defensed (eight). With tough matchups against Hill and Waddle this Sunday, the Raiders defense will need Jones at his best.

"Our team needed that game for him. Confidence is up," Pierce on Jones. "Obviously, Jack doesn't lack ability or awareness or play-making ability. It's just, when you're a player of his caliber and you're used to making plays and you don't get those plays, you tend to get down on yourself, like there's not opportunities. But there has been opportunities, and [two weeks ago] he made the most of them and gave us a chance to have a chance to maybe have a comeback. But he's been in really good spirits this week. It's really good to see him smile again and just be happy. And that always comes with making plays."

6. 'The Condor' keeps flying

Maxx Crosby is embarking upon another impressive milestone after moving to third-all time in sacks in franchise history.

With one more tackle for loss, Crosby would be one of four players in NFL history (since at least 1999) to reach 100 tackles for loss in his first six NFL seasons, joining J.J. Watt (133), Aaron Donald (117) and DeMarcus Ware (101). He'd also join Watt and Donald as the only three players in the NFL since 1999 to record 100+ tackles for loss in their first 92 career games.

The edge rusher is currently sixth in the league in tackles for loss (11) and recorded a tackle for loss and 1.0 sacks against the Miami Dolphins last season.