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The Las Vegas Raiders have done a fantastic job easing rookie No. 1 overall quarterback Fernando Mendoza into their program. Typically, top overall picks are under immense pressure immediately. The Raiders signed veteran Kirk Cousins to help alleviate that, and his relationship and familiarity with new head coach Klint Kubiak makes him a legitimate candidate to start in Week 1.
There are undeniable benefits to the Raiders beginning the campaign with Cousins as their starting quarterback. It would allow Mendoza to do some developing behind the scenes and away from the scrutiny he'd be under on a weekly basis as the starter. The NFL rarely takes that route with quarterbacks nowadays, but there's nothing wrong with sitting and learning.
If Cousins does start versus the Miami Dolphins in Week 1, attention will immediately shift to when Mendoza makes his inevitable debut. Unless the Raiders are serious playoff contenders with Cousins, the expectation is that Mendoza would eventually replace him in the lineup. The Raiders won't want to end his rookie season without seeing him at all.
Typically, the bye week is ideal to prepare a rookie for his first career start. The Raiders' bye isn't until Week 13, so in that scenario, Mendoza would make his debut versus the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 14. That would give Mendoza only five weeks as the starter, so Kubiak would have to decide if that sample size is large enough to assess his rookie campaign.
If the Raiders prefer to insert Mendoza in the lineup earlier than that, you'd attempt to identify a weaker matchup on the schedule. Unfortunately for the Raiders, those are difficult to identify on paper. Perhaps it's the New York Jets in Week 8. That matchup is followed by three difficult defenses in the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos, though.
If Cousins is the Raiders' Week 1 starter, Coach Kubiak will have a difficult decision to make regarding when to play Mendoza.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Which matchup on the schedule should Fernando Mendoza make his debut?
Continue reading...
There are undeniable benefits to the Raiders beginning the campaign with Cousins as their starting quarterback. It would allow Mendoza to do some developing behind the scenes and away from the scrutiny he'd be under on a weekly basis as the starter. The NFL rarely takes that route with quarterbacks nowadays, but there's nothing wrong with sitting and learning.
If Cousins does start versus the Miami Dolphins in Week 1, attention will immediately shift to when Mendoza makes his inevitable debut. Unless the Raiders are serious playoff contenders with Cousins, the expectation is that Mendoza would eventually replace him in the lineup. The Raiders won't want to end his rookie season without seeing him at all.
Typically, the bye week is ideal to prepare a rookie for his first career start. The Raiders' bye isn't until Week 13, so in that scenario, Mendoza would make his debut versus the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 14. That would give Mendoza only five weeks as the starter, so Kubiak would have to decide if that sample size is large enough to assess his rookie campaign.
If the Raiders prefer to insert Mendoza in the lineup earlier than that, you'd attempt to identify a weaker matchup on the schedule. Unfortunately for the Raiders, those are difficult to identify on paper. Perhaps it's the New York Jets in Week 8. That matchup is followed by three difficult defenses in the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos, though.
If Cousins is the Raiders' Week 1 starter, Coach Kubiak will have a difficult decision to make regarding when to play Mendoza.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Which matchup on the schedule should Fernando Mendoza make his debut?
Continue reading...
