Here’s what defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake had to say about the Raiders:

Q: What’s your assessment of Raiders tight end Brock Bowers?

A: “It’s very smart by their coaching staff to target him. He is extremely talented. Ball skills. Ball awareness. Tracks the ball. Once he gets his hands on the football, he’s such a big target, very rangy. And now he can stick his foot in the ground and he gets vertical. He’s a matchup nightmare.”

Q: What’s your assessment of the Raiders’ rushing attack?

A: “Yeah, they’re a group of running backs that have played well. I think they’re still trying to find a rhythm of who that guy is going to be. So, we’ll end up seeing multiple running backs especially since the last four weeks with their new offensive coordinator has taken over, Scott Turner. We’re ready for whoever they put back there.”

Q: How much of a factor is Raiders tight end Michael Mayer?

A: “Yeah, so it’s interesting. Very unique about this offense. They really have two pass-catching tight ends. Normally, there’s one tight end that’s usually more the big, the blocking guy. He’s going to be in protection. And then every once in a while, catch a pass. But then you have the pass-catching guy. And really, both of these guys, Mayer and (Brock) Bowers, are elite at catching the football. But they’re also physical enough and big enough to also block in the run game. So, they’re two very, very talented players.”

About the Author

Keep Reading

Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, here speaking to the media in January, has two 2025 first-round draft picks on his defense in Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Featured

UPS driver Dan Partyka delivers an overnight package. As more people buy more goods online, the rapid and unrelenting expansion of e-commerce is causing real challenges for the Sandy-Springs based company. (Bob Andres/AJC 2022)

Credit: TNS