Raiders season is slipping away its time to see what Fernando Mendoza can do
The Raiders need to start asking themselves what they want to salvage from this season.A fading chance at sneaking into the playoffs?Or something that could actually help them become a playoff team for years to come?After four consecutive defeats, including Sunday’s 35-21 loss to the Rams to fall to 3-4, the conversation about turning the offense over to Fernando Mendoza needs to become considerably more serious.Perhaps as soon as this week, as the Raiders begin preparation for a trip to New York to play the Jets.This has nothing to do with blaming veteran Kirk Cousins for the losing streak.
The Raiders have spread responsibility for that across too many positions and meeting rooms to pin it on the quarterback.This is about priorities.And whether preserving whatever remains of a playoff chase should outweigh getting the first overall pick, and presumed future face of the franchise, meaningful experience.It was clear Raiders coach Klint Kubiak contemplated a change Sunday against the Rams.But as the Raiders cut into the deficit in the second half, the possibility of a comeback meant staying the course with Cousins.That explains the immediate decision.
The bigger one still awaits.Asked about Mendoza’s timeline and making the switch, Kubiak said all options are on the table.“I think at this point we’re thinking about everything,” said Kubiak.“How to fix our problems.
How to fix our issues in the red zone, in the third quarter.Personnel, scheme.
We’ve got to talk about all of it.”As they should.Four consecutive losses demand a hard look at the entire operation, including whether it’s time to turn to the quarterback they drafted first overall to lead them out of the wilderness.At some point, the Raiders have to stop protecting the possibility of this season at the expense of preparing for the next one.
And all the others after that.They are getting awfully close to that point.And spare me the frightened question about whether putting Mendoza into a...