Andrew Janocko explains why the Las Vegas Raiders’ joint practices with the Houston Texans provided a valuable test that preseason games simply can’t replicate.
The Raiders offensive coordinator spoke positively on Sunday about last week’s joint practices and preseason game against the Texans, saying, “Anytime you can go out and compete, it’s really valuable,” and that the offense “came out and really responded well in those practices,” per Levi Edwards.
The session mattered beyond a normal padded practice. Rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza got extended first-team reps against Houston’s starting defense. That gave Janocko real evaluation tape as the Raiders sort out their quarterback pecking order behind Kirk Cousins.
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On the other side of the ball, the offensive line was tested without starting guard Jackson Powers Johnson, who left practice early, a depth chart wrinkle worth watching given the unit’s importance to protecting whichever quarterback starts Week 1. With Las Vegas in a clear rebuild under new coach Klint Kubiak, joint practices like this one carry extra weight. There are fewer live reps to evaluate roster bubble players than in a normal camp. Competitive work against an outside opponent helps coaches make cuts and depth chart calls with more confidence.
Related: The evaluation stayed incomplete despite the Raiders’ win
Expect Janocko to lean further into extended Mendoza reps in the final preseason outings. The next game, and likely another joint practice, should give him a clearer read on the Cousins to Mendoza timeline before final roster cuts.
How much run should Mendoza get in Las Vegas’ remaining preseason snaps? And does Powers Johnson’s early exit worry you heading into the regular season?
*Top Photo: Getty Images