On to the Chargers.

[RaiderandBulldog]

After a successful week one win, the Raiders are going to their second home at the Chargers this week.

View from the enemy

https://www.thepowderblues.com/forum/fo ... gers-forum

[raidersince63]

it is different.

No, it's not...geez, if he admitted he's not where he needs to be, it means he's not ready. Quit playing word games/semantics.

[Attyla]

No, it's not...geez, if he admitted he's not where he needs to be, it means he's not ready. Quit playing word games/semantics.

no it is not the same. And no I am not playing anything. Mendoza has a standard for his play level and he did not measure up to that. It is not the same as him saying he is not yet ready to play in the NFL.

[Raidernation1979]

We got to see Mendo throwing picks in the preseason...he's not ready, and even said so himself.

I would love to see him say he isn’t ready. He always says he needs to improve, get better, needs to learn more. At no point has he said he isn’t ready.

Manning broke the INT record as a rookie. I’m all for Mendo sitting IF cousins is playing well. We won this past week. Cousins was great in throws less than ten. Horrible on throws over 10. If that trend continues I’d rather see Mendo play and take his lumps than watch an old work out Kirk be below average

[NoThanksSir]

I personally believe that we could have won Week 1 with Mendoza behind center based on how well the OL played. This also is more of a commentary on Kirk's abilities at this stage in his career than anything. That being said I do think Mendoza needs some more time to develop and I love that we have the luxury to give him that considering how long it's been since we had a PREMIUM investment at the position.

[raidersince63]

At no point has he said he isn’t ready.

So if he says "...I am nowhere near where I need to be." You think that means he believes he's "ready?"

[Attyla]

I personally believe that we could have won Week 1 with Mendoza behind center based on how well the OL played. This also is more of a commentary on Kirk's abilities at this stage in his career than anything. That being said I do think Mendoza needs some more time to develop and I love that we have the luxury to give him that considering how long it's been since we had a PREMIUM investment at the position.

I agree he could have won that game. I am not sure how much longer he needs to sit. I am not at practice or in the QB room. Kirk's weak arm will be concerning if we play from behind which we could see even next week.

[RaiderandBulldog]

Coverage map for this week

https://506sports.com/nfl.php?yr=2026&wk=2

[Attyla]

I would love to see him say he isn’t ready. He always says he needs to improve, get better, needs to learn more. At no point has he said he isn’t ready.

Manning broke the INT record as a rookie. I’m all for Mendo sitting IF cousins is playing well. We won this past week. Cousins was great in throws less than ten. Horrible on throws over 10. If that trend continues I’d rather see Mendo play and take his lumps than watch an old work out Kirk be below average

I think you put it better than I did

[NoThanksSir]

I agree he could have won that game. I am not sure how much longer he needs to sit. I am not at practice or in the QB room. Kirk's weak arm will be concerning if we play from behind which we could see even next week.

I'm going to be at the Jets game so I'm selfishly hoping by then. I think the earliest we could see it is Week 6, especially if we struggle with the gauntlet of opponents between now and then. That would give Mendoza back to back home games against good teams before the schedule softens up a bit.

[raidersince63]

I personally believe that we could have won Week 1 with Mendoza behind center based on how well the OL played. This also is more of a commentary on Kirk's abilities at this stage in his career than anything. That being said I do think Mendoza needs some more time to develop and I love that we have the luxury to give him that considering how long it's been since we had a PREMIUM investment at the position.

Yeah, the OL did look encouraging but will they be that good vs the Chargers?...I dunno but we'll find out shortly. But if their performance continues, and we keep winning, Kubiak will be faced with a decision of either starting Mendoza or keeping Cousins out there as long as we are winning and maybe giving FM some spot snaps during a game.

I know most everyone is anticipating Mendoza's coronation and I am too and the sooner the better...guess we'll just have to wait till Kubiak finally makes his move.

[Attyla]

I'm going to be at the Jets game so I'm selfishly hoping by then. I think the earliest we could see it is Week 6, especially if we struggle with the gauntlet of opponents between now and then. That would give Mendoza back to back home games against good teams before the schedule softens up a bit.

Some of that will depend on stuff like if we go on a tear (not likely in my opinion) or injuries particularly the line. I look at Caleb Williams and ask myself if his disaster of a rookie year hamstrung him and safely say no. Lawrence has been through hell and has survived quite nicely. Why not Mendoza, his intellect is surely on our above the level of those two guys. I would love to see him against the Jets, that should be a fun game.

[NoThanksSir]

Some of that will depend on stuff like if we go on a tear (not likely in my opinion) or injuries particularly the line. I look at Caleb Williams and ask myself if his disaster of a rookie year hamstrung him and safely say no. Lawrence has been through hell and has survived quite nicely. Why not Mendoza, his intellect is surely on our above the level of those two guys. I would love to see him against the Jets, that should be a fun game.

Yea you hit the nail on the head, the health of the line will play a big part in when he starts. I don't think a bad season or throwing INT's ruin young QB's, but getting hit absolutely does. I think there is a reality where we play above expectations, win some games we shouldn't, and Mendoza still ends up starting by week 8. Especially if Kirk's play is as polarizing as it was week 1 and he's throwing picks with a clean pocket.

[Attyla]

Yea you hit the nail on the head, the health of the line will play a big part in when he starts. I don't think a bad season or throwing INT's ruin young QB's, but getting hit absolutely does. I think there is a reality where we play above expectations, win some games we shouldn't, and Mendoza still ends up starting by week 8. Especially if Kirk's play is as polarizing as it was week 1 and he's throwing picks with a clean pocket.

Hits ruined David Carr no doubt. But for every David Carr there are multiple Aaron Rodgers who holds the record for most sacks ever. Brady was sacked over 500 times. I actually looked at the list of career sacks and most of those guys are on the list for two reasons, they were successful and could take a hit. Mendoza could use some extra weight so he can absorb the punishment but I think given time he will. I had to go to the 41st guy on the career sacks list before I did not recognize a name. Norm Snead?

[RaiderandBulldog]

[SkullCrusher]

Hits ruined David Carr no doubt. But for every David Carr there are multiple Aaron Rodgers who holds the record for most sacks ever. Brady was sacked over 500 times. I actually looked at the list of career sacks and most of those guys are on the list for two reasons, they were successful and could take a hit. Mendoza could use some extra weight so he can absorb the punishment but I think given time he will. I had to go to the 41st guy on the career sacks list before I did not recognize a name. Norm Snead?

Certainly a QB can survive it, I just don't know why I would knowingly put them through it, I want the QB to age like Brady. Sometimes you don't have a choice, injury or literally no one else worth mentioning that would ever start above your top pick. We do have a pretty good series of circumstances to let this breath a little. The oline keeps it up for a couple more weeks, I'm all about getting him out there. I really don't even want to see if Kirk can win a lot of games, I'm all in on seeing a more modern day Franchise QB play for us before I die. That's what we signed up for with the first pick. I have patience if it makes sense.