Trayvon Mullen got the word from Rod Marinelli and it did nothing to shake his confidence heading in to Saturday night’s game against the Miami Dolphins.
“I know I’m a great player,” Mullen said Wednesday in a teleconference. “I play hard, I go out there, I put it all on the line and I play to win. I play hard and aggressive and things happen. I know I’ve got to get better and learn from it.”
Mullen, the Raiders’ second-year starting cornerback, was whistled for four penalties for 58 yards in a 30-27 loss to the Los Angeles after having just three penalties in his previous 13 games.
The last penalty was the most costly, a pass interference penalty against Jalen Guyton good for 20 yards in the Chargers’ game-winning drive in overtime. In the third quarter, Mullen was called for two enforceable penalties on one play — a pass interference and a facemask against Guyton good for 28 yards. Since the Raiders forced a punt on the possession, they weren’t costly.
A pass interference flag while defending Mike Williams against Mullen, however, gave the Chargers a first-and-goal from the 1 on a third-and-9 play. Kalen Ballage then scored on a 1-yard run before halftime.
Marinelli’s style with the media is build up his players in terms of heart and effort while saving his more direct critiques for film sessions. No frills, no fluff.
“It’s our job as teachers to help him,” Marinelli said. “It’s a coach working with a player, a player working with a coach and playing within the rules. I love how competitive this guy is, and he’s been really good at times this year. Just helping him clean some of this stuff up. First, you bring it to a man’s attention, then you help him correct it.”
Mullen termed Marinelli’s coaching style as “very aggressive,” noting “he just wants us to go out there and play with passion, show that we care about the game and want to win.”
At 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, Mullen has the classic build of a long cover corner. His eight tackles against the Chargers, including one for a loss, indicate he’s willing to mix it up physically.
According to unofficial statistics from profootballreference.com, receivers covered by Mullen have been targeted 76 times with 47 completions for 558 yards and five touchdowns. He has a pair of interceptions. The numbers aren’t great, but keep in mind cornerbacks on the Raiders often suffer because of the lack of a pass rush.
“It never gets to me mentally,” Mullen said. “I know I’m a good player. I know what I bring to this team and I know what I’m going to do every week.”
After taking over for defensive coordinator Paul Guenther, who was fired after a 44-27 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, Marinelli had little more than a walk-through before taking over against the Chargers. His mission statement was hustle, effort and gang-tackling.
“I thought it was an improvement,” Marinelli said. “It was really solid. Want more still . . . we’ve got to eliminate mistakes, eliminate some big plays, eliminate penalties. That’s coaches and players, working together. I just thought they showed a ton of heart in that game toward the end and I just really loved how they kept playing, but we got the win.”
Linebacker Raekwon McMillan, who had a season-high 42 snaps with Nicholas Morrow out with a concussion said Marinelli simplified the game plan with a short week.
Former Raiders linebacker Will Compton, on his recent podcast “Bussin’ With the Boys,” said he thought there were issues with information overload under Guenther.
“You want guys to be able to communicate quick, and understand what’s happening and what the offense is doing to them right out of the huddle,” Compton said. “You don’t want a lot of the stuff in your head . . . you’re thinking, you’re double thinking more like should we have this check, is it that check. There was just a lot going on.”
Nick Kwiatkoski was added to the COVID-19 list, meaning the Raiders will be without one of their better defensive players against Miami.
That could mean another game with more action for McMillan, as Morrow didn’t practice Wednesday after being limited on Tuesday. Morrow missed the Chargers game with a concussion.
McMillan came to the Raiders from Miami in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick and will face his old teammates.
“It’s a lot of familiar faces, but it’s just another game for me,” McMillian said. “Of course I’m going to be excited to see those guys and play against them. Some of my longtime friends are there. But I’m just ready to compete and get a win.”
Cornerback Isaiah Johnson came off the COVID-19 list although it’s not clear if he’ll be available to play against Miami. Wide receiver Henry Ruggs, safety Erik Harris and cornerback Daryl Worley are all on the COVID-19 list. The Raiders hope to gain some clarity on Ruggs’ situation Thursday to determine if he’ll be available against Miami.
— Safety Johnathan Abram (concussion) was a full participant and should be available to face Miami. Same goes for Hunter Renfrow (concussion) and running back Jalen Richard (sternum).
Defensive end Clelin Ferrell (shoulder) has not practiced this week and could miss his second straight game.
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