Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza received to attempt one thing new on Saturday. He took first-team reps, which is clearly very worthwhile observe for a rookie quarterback attempting to make the leap from school soccer to the NFL.
Due to Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins and defensive finish Maxx Crosby getting right into a bodily battle on Friday, the Raiders made Cousins and Crosby skip Saturday’s observe. That gave Mendoza the flexibility to take these worthwhile first-team reps.
So, how did he do? It is definitely completely different throwing to guys like Brock Bowers and Tre Tucker than school gamers, so there is a studying curve.
Raiders’ Fernando Mendoza has to brush up on one facet of his sport
Levi Edwards of the Raiders’ official website reported that Mendoza “had his ebbs and flows” throughout Saturday’s observe, “however confirmed his arm expertise with landing passes to Bowers and No. 1 in pink zone interval.”
Nevertheless, there’s one space for enchancment that stands out: mobility.
“A noticeable issue with Mendoza underneath middle is his mobility,” Edwards mentioned. “His pocket presence has made leaps and bounds since OTAs, as he works to evade strain from the line of defense and hold his eyes downfield. His potential to keep away from sacks resulted in just a few constructive performs on checkdowns.”
After observe, nonetheless, Raiders quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan had glowing phrases for Mendoza, calling him a “very diligent, tireless employee.”
“The whole lot that has been mentioned, that is been portrayed about him so far as the kind of younger man he’s, is true after which some,” Sullivan added. “He is somebody who actually loves the method.”
So, mobility is a matter, however that is the case for a lot of skilled quarterbacks who aren’t cellular, too. Mendoza will both enhance on his mobility or turn out to be a quarterback recognized for being extra of a pocket passer.
