Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis said he is not pushing the coaching staff to play rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick. In an interview with CNBC set to air Thursday, Davis said, "From me, there's absolutely no pressure whatsoever."
Davis noted that quarterbacks in the 1960s often waited years for a chance to start, contrasting that with today's expectation to play top picks immediately. He said the Raiders are fortunate to have veteran Kirk Cousins bridge the gap, allowing Mendoza to learn the speed and intricacies of the pro game without being rushed onto the field.
"I've seen quarterbacks get fast-tracked onto the field and they may do well, but they don't learn all the intricacies of footwork and everything else it takes," Davis said. "So they're limited in their development, maybe throughout their career. I'm really happy with the way it is with Fernando right now and we'll see what happens."
Davis praised Mendoza's off-field presence and work ethic, saying, "I tell people jokingly that if he can play football, he's going to be amazing. Because he's got every other intangible you could want in a person. He's a hard worker. He's a sponge." Davis added that Mendoza is working with minority owner Tom Brady on several things.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
English (US)·