Does our running game improve with Mendoza?

[STHfrontrow]

Curious to see if our running game will improve with Mendoza under center. Seems teams won't be able to just stack the box knowing that Cousins was really no danger to run.

You higher IQ football guys how do you think Seattle (and other defenses) are going to adjust against the Raiders with a new QB under center?

Will the running game improve?

Discuss

[Rabidraider]

I sure hope not. I dont mind him running for a couple or few first downs when nobody is open but I dont want him to be a "running QB".

Like someone mentioned rookie QBs tend to run when pressured. I expect him to gradually stay in the pocket.

[Marzan]

I think we might see a couple of bootlegs. Mendoza has a quirky running motion but he can move surprisingly well for a guy his size.

[SkullCrusher]

Mendoza will have more yards that both our backs.

Nothing makes a defense crazier than a QB that runs wild.

Watch him on 3rd downs.

50 yards for the rook...

Now he's JC Watts coming out of Oklahoma!

[Oaktownonly]

I would just say could it get worse?

[Rabidraider]

Now he's JC Watts coming out of Oklahoma!

Will Mendoza end up in Congress like JC?

[chucker]

Now he's JC Watts coming out of Oklahoma!

That's a name I haven't heard for a long time. I feel like I'm old in other parts of my life, but I'm just a young fella around here.

[SkullCrusher]

Will Mendoza end up in Congress like JC?

Think higher!

[Attyla]

Think higher!

Pope?

[Rabidraider]

[3rd and Long]

Agreed. Defenses are first going to clamp down on the run game and short passing game, because they'll expect Kubiak to ease Mendoza in and get the ball out of his hands quickly. Ultimately it's up to the Raiders and Mendoza to convince teams to use more resources down the field.

Then we should surprise them and throw a bomb his first snap

[SkullCrusher]

Pope?

Yeah... Pope.

[raiders93]

I will repost in the correct thread.

I may be reading the room wrong, but I feel like the intent of the OP's question was not so much about a QB who can run but rather if the running backs' performance would improve. Again, I could be wrong.

With that, I think they are going to load the box and make Mendoza prove he can run the entire offense as in passes beyond the safety net 5-7 yards. And do I think our RBs will be improved? I honestly don't, at least not at first. I think they will get stuffed and Mendoza is going to need to find the secret sauce that can propel the offense like Cousins had to do because we were ineffective running the ball.

This. I think if you’re trying to make life difficult on a rookie QB… put him in obvious passing situations.

I think Mendoza’s mobility probably changes things more. Not saying you need to play him like Lamar…. But if you’re going to go press man all game long in theory there should be some easy lanes there.