Raiders Go To Texas Tonight, The Game Day Thread

[Attyla]

So here is another look at the new team, and hopefully the view is better, especially on the D.

What are you watching, what are you wanting, and most importantly we need to get out of there without harm to anyone.

Time to see more, and hopefully a few of the youngsters start to shine.

[KillerRaider30]

Question, did Mendoza go in with the starters (like Cousins did) vs AZ? Asking for a friend

This was Fernando's first start.

[mstrbass2000]

It's Mendoza's job to take care of the ball. We said it with previous qbs and blamed them, Fernando is no different. To me the ball was a little late and you can't be careless with throws into the middle of the field. A learning lesson for both players. Sit in the zone, be on time & accurate with throws in the middle of the field

thrown late and behind after making all of his progressions...you know the kids gonna review this play 100 times or more to correct that mistake ...i wish he would have taken off more

[mstrbass2000]

The hysterical part is people who gave a pass to Carr after nine years of (at best) mediocrity.

They can share their opinions when nine years have lapsed.

kirk cousins is way better then carr ever was and fernando is gonna be better then kirk soon imo

[mstrbass2000]

Jalen Nailor
Las Vegas Raiders Primary Logo
LV
Wide Receiver
#9
Player Stats

Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said the team is still trying to find a wide receiver who is “accountable and can help us on Sunday.”
He punctuated his point by saying only, “still looking.” Kubiak’s ambiguous phrasing could suggest that the Raiders are seeking a wide receiver via trade, but it can also be read simply as an indictment of players like Jalen Nailor, Jack Bech and Malik Benson. None of the three turned in a great game last night, while Tre Tucker was given the night off. Tucker makes for a boom-bust FLEX option in an underwhelming position group. - Nic Bodiford
45m ago
Source: NBC Sports’ Pro Football Talk

[mstrbass2000]

Malik Benson
Las Vegas Raiders Primary Logo
LV
Wide Receiver
#19
Player Stats

Raiders WR Malik Benson caught 1-of-5 targets for 18 yards in Thursday’s preseason game against the Texans.
Benson had an up-and-down night, with more down than up, unfortunately. On one play, the rookie wide receiver secured a contested, leaping grab downfield. He also dropped a pass near the first-down marker, and later had the ball punched out of his hands by a Texans defender. He was attempting to secure the pass while turning upfield at the same time on both plays, and may have let his focus drift toward the big play and away from sound fundamentals. Still, QB Fernando Mendoza is giving him chances to make plays. Benson can probably be left undrafted in 12-team leagues, but monitor his development over the next week. - Nic Bodiford
51m ago

[mranquales]

He's some objective truths that everyone loves: Kirk Cousins is a mediocre QB.

The Atlanta Falcon's, have an elite TE. His name is Kyle Pitts. Is Brock better? Of course, but as I've stated before, the gap between good players is not very wide, and what mostly separates them is situations and opportunities, not skill. Josh Jacobs is proof that situations can make a player look better than he actually is.

Kyle Pitts plays alongside Drake London, an objectively elite WR1. Drake London demands the majority of the targets on offense. If Kyle Pitts were on the Raiders as the defacto number 1 option, there's no doubt in my mind he would put up close to what we expect Brocks numbers to be. If Brock were traded to a team with an elite WR1, his numbers would go down.

The Atlanta Falcons also have an elite RB. His name is Bijan Robinson. Objectively better right now than one Aston Jeanty.

The Atlanta Falcons (Kirk Cousins former team), have a better offense than the Raiders. Hell, they have a better defense than the Raiders. They are a better team than the Raiders. The Atlanta Falcons are not rebuilding, they are a playoff team, pending any decent QB play. Kirk Cousins could not consistently provide them that, even though he played with a much lighter load on the Falcons.

I say all that to say: Kirk Cousins is one year older, on an inferior team, playing the most physically demanding sport, with more responsibility than the year prior. Raiders fans are not being whiny nor summoning Nostradamus with the understanding that it's going to be a long, grueling, boring season with Kirk at the helm. Watching Kirk struggle does not make for great viewership.

Yes, Mendoza does have some growing up to do but watching him grow up on the field before our eyes makes for more exciting football on Sunday, and there is nothing wrong with a Raider fan who would prefer to watch that. Especially those who don't believe it will ruin his development.

I don't believe that sitting on the bench, watching the game for an entire year on the weekend, while throwing weak monotonous passes to the 2's and 3's during the week makes you a better player. That's a silly superstition. Mendoza is the most talented QB on the team, therefore he should play. It's really that simple.

[HesterLayes]

No one got hurt….that’s big

Only thing I didn’t agree with is that the starters on the oline need to be playing together

[raiders93]

This isn’t scientific and obviously fairly subjective but Mendoza has it … whatever it is. To me at least he looks like the best player on the offence pretty easily.

Honestly the hardest part of evaluating him this preseason is that he just hasn’t had a ton of help. O-line barely holding up. Receivers dropping passes. It’s not like we’ve really seen Mendo drop back, have time, and find open targets. For the most part it’s Mendo drops back, has to escape pressure or get rid of it as he’s getting hit, and thread a needle.

[Xramfan]

Mendo started yesterday but he wasn’t playing with the 1’s. No Brock, no Jeanty, majority of the oline sat I think.

[DanKD]

Mendo started yesterday but he wasn’t playing with the 1’s. No Brock, no Jeanty, majority of the oline sat I think.

Our entire starting offensive line sat unless rogers beats out JPJ. We need to upgrade on Meredith at least he sucks at center

[FlyBono24]

Pretty sure we’re making progress. Only about 7 players away from being about 8 players away from being a really solid team.

Absolutely!! People need to stop being so negative.

This team is on the rise, we are only about 1-2 years away from the start of our 5-year rebuild.

[powski]

Approximately 59% of the players who play in pre-season games will end up on the 53 man roster.

So 41% of the players aren't good enough to be 3rd string on an NFL team.

[Arsenal Raider]

This isn’t scientific and obviously fairly subjective but Mendoza has it … whatever it is. To me at least he looks like the best player on the offence pretty easily.

Honestly the hardest part of evaluating him this preseason is that he just hasn’t had a ton of help. O-line barely holding up. Receivers dropping passes. It’s not like we’ve really seen Mendo drop back, have time, and find open targets. For the most part it’s Mendo drops back, has to escape pressure or get rid of it as he’s getting hit, and thread a needle.

Yep, it's a liability having him out there with the backups. He should either be with the starters or safely on the bench

[Xramfan]

Absolutely!! People need to stop being so negative.

This team is on the rise, we are only about 1-2 years away from the start of our 5-year rebuild. :party:

There are intelligent critiques and concerns.......

and there are petulant gibberish rants with snot bubbles exiting the nostrils

You typically define the latter

[powski]

If Meredith makes the team, I hope someone asks why a top 10 rated Guard in 2024 gets immediately, permanently moved to Center where he is objectively, proven terrible. He seemed good in 2024, now he seems like a pure cut. But that's a strange career path. Maybe the rating from 2024 is overrated, I don't know. He didn't seem to be a problem at Guard though.