Raiders’ Kubiak: Mendoza will improve through reps

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak stressed that rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza will improve through repetitions, speaking in a videoconference on Friday. “Reps,” helium said Friday — plainly and simply. Kubiak’s evaluation of Mendoza’s preseason performance Thursday in a 22‑20 road victory over the Houston Texans left him pleased with the young signal‑caller’s third‑down effort, but he also affirmed “that determination are things that we indispensable get corrected that volition beryllium addressed ASAP.” Mendoza threw a first‑quarter pick‑6, finished 8‑of‑15 for 86 yards with downfield looks to wideouts Jalen Nailor and Malik Benson, who also suffered a costly third‑down drop. After the game Kubiak declined to name a Week 1 starter, though he noted that following a 27‑14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals he had said it is Kirk Cousins’ “job to lose.” He doubled down on that stance Friday, explaining “it ne’er benefits a subordinate to cognize they person a spot secured and if there’s ever a small spot of uneasiness astir that, that benefits the full team.” Kubiak suggested Mendoza can still develop from the bench if Cousins opens the season as the starter. He said the quarterback would gain the repetitions needed to sharpen his upside, and highlighted the coaching staff’s experience working with non‑starters. “It