RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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The Silver and Black have a golden rule.
In developing a plan to bring along their future franchise quarterback in Fernando Mendoza, the Las Vegas Raiders have emphasized patience. The No. 1 overall pick isn't being hurried into the starting lineup, with veteran Kirk Cousins claiming the first-string reps in training camp. That setup has promoted an atmosphere of tolerance from first-year coach Klint Kubiak, who has permitted his young players to sort out issues in real time during practices.
But one message from the coaching staff has been clear throughout the summer: All mistakes should be learned from, and none should become habitual problems.
By that measure, Mendoza's preseason debut was a success.
His first work in a game setting in Aug. 13's tilt against the Arizona Cardinals wasn't without its share of slip-ups or setbacks. The Heisman Trophy winner's first throw was a backfoot heave out of bounds with coverage clamped down on his receivers, and his first drive stalled out after just six plays and 11 net yards.
Yet Mendoza carried over the theme of resiliency that has colored his early acclimation to the NFL.
On a night in which Kubiak followed through on his pledge to give the top pick extensive work, the quarterback finished 10-of-16 passing for 96 yards and one touchdown. More importantly, he calibrated his internal clock to largely keep the opposing pass rush at bay. After coming from an Indiana offense that afforded him easy solutions on his first read, he worked through his progressions, albeit to mixed results. And he fired tight-window throws – including on his first touchdown pass , a 6-yard strike to Jack Bech on third-and-goal – without veering into recklessness.
Above all, though, he avoided repeating errors. And he even found a way to push through when circumstances were far from ideal.
Mendoza still seems a long way from closing in on Cousins for the starting gig. For the time being, though, a franchise that has been stuck in a series of perpetual resets seems to have a path forward with its prized pick.
Here are more key takeaways from Mendoza's first game action:
Climbing out of deep holes could be challenging
Between its league-high 64 sacks surrendered and an inert running game, last year's Raiders offense frequently submerged itself into depths from which it could not escape.
Kubiak's attack is largely built around avoiding such scenarios. The ask of Mendoza will not entail having him bail out the rest of the unit on third down. Thursday's performance, however, reinforced the rookie's need to stay on schedule.
Mendoza's only grimace-inducing moment of the night came on a second-and-18 play on his second drive. In trying to check down to fellow rookie Mike Washington Jr., he led the running back into a massive hit from cornerback Denzel Burke, who was waiting in the flat. The Raiders then played it safe on third-and-long, waving the white flag with a draw.
Mendoza excelled at Indiana in obvious passing situations, with his back-shoulder connections becoming his signature throw. At least for now, though, the quarterback is still trying to find his place within the offense before he can truly lift it up.
No major hiccups with the basics
For whatever ups and downs Mendoza experienced, he managed to steer clear of any major gaffes.
The offense seemed to get set up without too much trouble, with no delay of game penalties on the night. Aside from one false start, the pre-snap process looked relatively seamless.
The under-center work figured to be a point of emphasis, given both Mendoza's lack of experience in that area and his new scheme's reliance on play-action looks. Though he also a heavy dose of shotgun snaps, Mendoza managed to get clean exchanges when under center.
His best throw of the evening even came on the kind of decisive dropback the team is eager to see more of. He kicked off his second drive by firing a tight-window throw off play-action to sixth-round rookie receiver Malik Benson – with whom he's formed a promising connection in camp – for 19 yards.
Cousins serves reminder of his value
With his one-day practice absence last week after getting into a training camp skirmish with Maxx Crosby , the 15-year veteran quarterback temporarily ceded first-team reps to Mendoza. On Thursday night, he made sure not to leave the door ajar.
The offense was supremely clean in Cousins' lone drive, with a 13-yard touchdown to tight end Michael Mayer capping the 10-play, 68-yard march.
There was nothing dazzling about the effort, but the heightened level of efficiency – particularly in all operational elements – drove home the value of leaving the offense in the hands of a capable caretaker until Mendoza is fully ready.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fernando Mendoza's Raiders debut proved Kirk Cousins value – and that's OK
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