Klint Kubiak sees steady progress from Fernando Mendoza, but the Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback faces a crucial preseason test that could reveal just how far he’s come.
Kubiak said Mendoza will get significant playing time in Thursday’s preseason game, calling it an important step in his development. “He’s going to get plenty of experience in the game,” Kubiak said. “Looking forward to seeing him out there with his teammates. A lot of guys that we need to evaluate, but he’ll get plenty of reps.”
Kubiak has been encouraged by what he has seen from Mendoza throughout training camp. He pointed to his preparation as a foundation for his on-field progress. The coach was careful to note that translating meeting-room concepts to live-action situations remains an ongoing process, but said Mendoza has adapted well.
The growth is obvious for Fernando Mendoza…
“I just see he’s continuing to grow,” Kubiak said. “It’s been a really impressive training camp as far as how he’s prepared, and then he goes out there to practice, and things don’t happen on the drawing, on the paper, and in the playbook exactly how they do on the field, so I think he’s done a good job of adjusting.”
Kubiak also emphasized a broader standard he holds for all of his players, one that applies directly to a rookie still working through the growing pains of camp.
“With all of our players, we just ask that as they gain experience and they make mistakes, they don’t make the same mistake twice,” Kubiak said. “I think that he’s done a good job of that.”
The next challenge, according to Kubiak, will be facing live pressure for the first time in a game setting, something that cannot be fully replicated in practice.
“Now it comes to live bullets with a live pass rush,” Kubiak said. “And that’ll be a whole other animal.”
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All eyes will be on the Raiders’ rookie…
Kubiak left open the possibility that the rookie could see time alongside some of Las Vegas’ starting offensive line, but he declined to detail the plan for distributing Mendoza’s snaps on Thursday.
“It could happen that way,” Kubiak said. “Again, all the starters are going to play, so he could get some reps with a few of those guys. But I just don’t want to talk about how we’re going to play those guys.”
For now, Kubiak’s message on Mendoza is one of measured optimism. He’s a quarterback making the expected strides of a rookie, with the real evaluation still ahead once the game begins. Thursday will reveal a lot more than any presser can, that’s for sure.
*Top Photo: Ramble Illustration/Getty Images