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Ryan McFadden
multiple authors
Henderson, Nev.– Fernando Mendoza passed through the glass doors of las vegas raiders‘ training facility with a big smile, very happy that his lifelong dream has turned into reality.
But Mendoza had a great understanding of the burden that comes with being the first pick in the draft and the Silver and Black’s new franchise quarterback.
On Mendoza’s first day as a member of the Raiders, the South Florida native was welcomed by franchise veterans such as Jim Plunkett, Marcus Allen, Tim Brown and Fred Biletnikoff.
They served as mementos of the organization’s successful past. And on Friday, he looked at Mendoza, who was not born when the Raiders last won a playoff game (the 2002 AFC Championship Game on January 19, 2003), with the hope that he could help restore the organization’s long-lost winning culture.
“It is a great responsibility but also a great honor,” Mendoza said during his introductory press conference. “The Raiders are a historic franchise and one of the faces of the NFL, and I feel like, again, I need to prove it and earn it every day.”
Raiders coach Clint Kubiak, general manager John Spytek and the rest of the franchise are confident that Mendoza is the right player to lead the franchise to continued success.
Kubiak said Mendoza’s skill set could fit into any offensive system in the league. Mendoza is a winner, having led Indiana to a 16-0 record and a national title in his lone season in Bloomington.
Everything Kubiak had studied on Mendoza was solidified during his Pro Day earlier this month.
“The way he ran that pro day, he put pressure on his teammates, told them what routes they were running and how accurately he threw the ball,” Kubiak said. “And then took him upstairs and talked to him about football and heard him talk about the game and how quickly he picked up things.
“We already liked how he played the game on film, but seeing him in person was really helpful, and it gave us a chance to see film on a lot of other guys. We knew we had that guy.”
Mendoza’s preparation is another reason why Las Vegas believes it has selected the right player to lead the franchise. This is also Mendoza’s superpower, which can help him see the field sooner.
Mendoza said he reached out to former NFL quarterback Brian Griese to learn under-center concepts that he would use in Kubiak’s offense. Grizz played for denver broncos Kubiak’s father, Gary, was the offensive coordinator when he also spent three seasons as quarterbacks coach. san francisco 49ers.
“I needed some guidance on how to become the best NFL quarterback, not just get to a pro day or the combine, [but] For September, [or] Whenever NFL happens in October, December [starting] Quarterback,” he said.
Mendoza’s welcome in Las Vegas didn’t just include greeting former players. Mendoza received text messages from Raiders defensive end after his name was called at the top of the draft Thursday night max crosbyleft tackle colton millerCenter tyler linderbaum and quarterback cancer cousin.
“It’s been a whirlwind the last few hours, but Kirk sent me a really nice message,” Mendoza said. “[I’m] I look forward to working with them, learning from them, and not only are they great teammates that I will learn from, but also great coaches.”
