Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said he will not hold back the playbook for rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza when he makes his first start Sunday against the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium. The move comes after the team traded veteran Kirk Cousins to Minnesota on Tuesday, thrusting the No. 1 overall pick into the starting role.
"I'm very comfortable running our playbook with Fernando," Kubiak said. "He's been through every situation that (Cousins) has been through in training camp and during OTAs. He just hasn't had the game reps, but we're not going to ask him to do anything that we haven't done in practice." Kubiak added that Mendoza has exceeded expectations and shown he is ready physically and mentally, noting his teammates recognize his preparation.
Kubiak highlighted Mendoza's progress in accuracy, command of the system, huddle operation, two-minute drills and situational football. "His most important piece of production is his ability to throw a football accurately and make good decisions, and I've seen those two things really jump out," Kubiak said. The coach expects Mendoza to lead the offense and the team on Sunday.
Mendoza acknowledged his growth since the offseason, referencing quarterback coach Mike Sullivan's comparisons to "Spring Fernando." "I believe one of our mottoes in the quarterback room is to always stay ready and always stay prepared," Mendoza said. "And that's something that all three of the quarterbacks, when we were all here, we always, all three of us, prepared like the starter."
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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