Raiders coach Klint Kubiak drops stunning plan for Fernando Mendoza, starters in preseason opener
Fernando Mendoza will receive an extended look in his Raiders preseason debut.Head coach Klint Kubiak said Las Vegas plans to play its starters Thursday against the Arizona Cardinals and that Mendoza will receive “plenty of experience” in his first NFL game.Kubiak did not specify how many series each quarterback will play but said the Raiders have a plan for distributing snaps among their first-, second- and third-team units.Kirk Cousins is the unquestioned starter, for now.
Mendoza is listed directly behind the 15-year veteran on Las Vegas’ first unofficial depth chart, ahead of Aidan O’Connell and undrafted rookie Jacob Clark.The starters playing should not mean a heavy workload for Cousins.At 38 and with limited mobility, Cousins has little to gain from extended preseason exposure.
A few series would allow him to re-establish rhythm in Kubiak’s offense before giving way to Mendoza, while reducing the risk of an unnecessary injury before Week 1.Mendoza has already received an unexpected taste of leading the first-team offense.He worked with the starters Saturday after Cousins was held out of team drills following a practice altercation with Maxx Crosby.
Mendoza responded by throwing three touchdown passes during the scrimmage period.Quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan has praised the rookie for correcting mistakes as the Raiders add layers to Kubiak’s offense.Mendoza brings an accomplished résumé after transferring from Cal to Indiana, winning the Heisman Trophy and leading the Hoosiers to a national championship.His first live NFL action will test his command of the huddle, ability to process professional coverages and composure when defenders are allowed to drive him to the turf.The Raiders do not want to expose Mendoza too soon behind a team coming off a 3-14 season.
They also cannot develop him entirely from the sideline.Thursday will not determine when Mendoza replaces Cousins.It will provide the first public evidence of how close he is to sta...