Last week, the Las Vegas Raiders' No. 1 pick, quarterback Fernando Mendoza, got his chance to step on the field for a preseason game, getting some time against the Arizona Cardinals. The celebrated rookie may not have started the game, but in his time on the field threw 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown. Unfortunately, he was on the losing side and accepted responsibility afterward, saying he failed his teammates.
Former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III was impressed with what he saw from the rookie and had a message after his performance. "First of all, Fernando, we love ya. Please, for the love of God, do not stand up at the press conference after you have a solid outing in a preseason game that you didn't even get to play the entirety of the game and tell the team you let them down," Griffin said.
"What you showed them is you should be the starting quarterback," he said on his podcast. Read more: Joe Burrow Sends Strong Message to Bengals on Super Bowl LXI Griffin praised a throw Mendoza made to a Raiders receiver between three Cardinals defenders off a play action. He explained it wasn't just the pass itself as much as "how he got there." "We also talk about the four S's.
You show the ball, you snap, you shrink, and then you set up. Those four S's on play action will get the defense to bite on almost every single play action phase," he said. "When he made that throw with anticipation, touch, and with zip- Oh my God, it was so good!" Griffin said, adding, "That to me shows that Fernando Mendoza should be the starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders." Mendoza will get another chance to shine on the football field on Thursday night.
The Raiders have their second preseason game, this time taking on the Houston Texans. Head coach Klint Kubiak indicated several days ago that Mendoza would get a lot of reps in their Week 2 matchup, suggesting he might make a strong case to be the team's starter. Earlier this week, the 's Josh Dubow reported that BetOnline's over/under for Mendoza's first start is Week 8, which would be a game against the New York Jets.
It seems the Raiders will opt to ease the rookie into the regular season, as they also signed veteran Kirk Cousins to lead the squad, and he's currently QB1 on the depth chart. That gives Mendoza a solid mentor to watch and learn from until he steps in as the starter. More news: Cardinals React to Trey McBride’s Big Move on NFL Top 100 List For more about the Las Vegas Raiders and the NFL, visit Newsweek Sports.
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