Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza is holding his own against the Houston Texans in joint practices.
The Las Vegas Raiders are conducting joint practices with the Houston Texans this week in advance of their preseason game tomorrow night, and rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza continues to impress, according to multiple reports.
The Texans pass rush certainly sped Mendoza up, according to Sam Warren of The Athletic, but the top overall pick in the draft was able to check plays at the line of scrimmage and hit his hot reads when Houston defenders broke through.
“I thought he did some good things,” Kubiak said. “I look forward to watching the tape. But just he and his teammates, all these young guys that we’re playing, we’ve got to get them up to speed real quick.”
Kirk Cousins took most of the quarterback reps with the starters, but Mendoza did get his shot with the front-liners. Warren also cited a play late in the session when Mendoza rolled out to escape practice, then hit tight end Brock Bowers for the biggest chunk play of the day.
“Brock Bowers, there’s no explanation needed,” Mendoza said. “It’s Brock Bowers, so it made it easier there … It was for sure reassuring that you could go out there and say, O.K., it’s one of the top defenses in the league. At the same time, football is football and if you make your read and you stay disciplined to the process and take what the defense gives you, then you can reap the rewards.”
The rookie also made mistakes, as he got picked by nickel back Jalen Pitre on a crossing route to running back Ashton Jeanty, and the interception wound up being a pick-six. Mendoza said he thought Pitre was further back than he thought and he described the turnover “a great learning experience,” per Warren.
“That’s the beautiful nature of film: you’re gonna be able to go in there, watch and learn,” Mendoza said. “Although I take every practice like a game, there’s no negative repercussions from today except learning experience. You never want to let your teammates down in a red-zone period. But at the same time, it’s the best time for it to happen, especially against another team.”
Mendoza also earned some impressive praise from Texans edge rusher Will Anderson Jr., who praised the rookie’s energy level.
“I’ve got a ton of respect for him,” Texans edge Will Anderson Jr. said. “I loved his energy. I loved how he was cheering on his O-line, cheering his team on. He’s gonna be a really great quarterback in this league.”
