Raiderstation

No topic yet for the game I see, so here we go in 15 minutes

Really encouraging on the defensive side today

Goodtimes333 wrote: Thu Aug 27, 2026 10:32 pm On many dropbacks Fernando has had INSTANT pressure. Like, complete f[raiders_icon]ck up protection type pressure. Hes made a few excellent throws and some receivers have had some drops. There's been a few plays where the throw is off or he doesn't step up in the pocket, leaves too early etc. People are gonna compare him to Ty Simpson regardless. Ty has had a good pre season. I'll have to watch the Rams highlights from tonight but it seems like Ty is feasting on the bootleg passes and to the backs. A few really good throws like Fernando also

...I have no idea what Simpson will, or won't be in the end, and until we actually see it play out, the same with Mendoza, but I do have to think that stepping in to the rams offense, and where just about everyone else is on the same page and has a whole lot of snaps under those belt with that offense, when compared to stepping in to our new offense, and with many new faces, and including last few years of draftees who basically have to forget most of what they were told last year, I have to think that even with cousins starting the year with our starters, there will be growing pains.....

Sold My Soul wrote: Thu Aug 27, 2026 9:34 pm On a side note, why is the NFL getting into Ned Yorks personal life while it turned a blind f[raiders_icon]cking eye to Bob Krafts many happy endings massage ventures?

Just another reason I have drifted away from the NFL and all its hypocrisy.

Welcome back, Sir !

Goodtimes333 wrote: Thu Aug 27, 2026 10:32 pm On many dropbacks Fernando has had INSTANT pressure. Like, complete f[raiders_icon]ck up protection type pressure. Hes made a few excellent throws and some receivers have had some drops. There's been a few plays where the throw is off or he doesn't step up in the pocket, leaves too early etc. People are gonna compare him to Ty Simpson regardless. Ty has had a good pre season. I'll have to watch the Rams highlights from tonight but it seems like Ty is feasting on the bootleg passes and to the backs. A few really good throws like Fernando also

Rams have had the same HC for quite awhile now, so everyone on the same page…With the raiders everything is new….so it going to take Menzo a little while to learn it….

Xramfan wrote: Thu Aug 27, 2026 8:06 pm Cousins is better at the moment but his arm looks baked. I don’t see the zip in his throws. Mendo will likely play sooner rather than later

Yep, I figured we'd see him around the second half of the season. Kirk lasting the whole season isn't going to happen regardless of injury or play. I think they're going to want Mendoza to get more than just a handful of starts at the end of the season also. This is what a bridge qb situation looks like

raiders93 wrote: Thu Aug 27, 2026 10:25 pm It’s a case of tell me you didn’t watch the game… without telling me you didn’t watch the game. It’s the same group that calls Jeanty a bust.

Mendoza looks undeniably talented. He’s had a couple rookie mistakes and I’d argue has mostly been let down by the team around him. Unblocked passrushers. Blocks getting missed. Receivers dropping balls.

My level of concern about Mendo is pretty low. The eye test looks pretty encouraging. Geberally what struggles he’s had so far look like inexperience, not inability.

Do you honestly think the kid is where you thought he'd be?

I don't.

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but in his time on the field he's thrown 2 picks that led to 10 points against us and has led drives that netted us 13 points; and that's against 2nd and 3rd stringers. Last night he went 7/14 with a pick, and his safety valve was open on that play. I've always said he should sit and it's clear that he's going to need more time on the bench than was hoped for.

I'm not calling him a bust and neither is anyone else. It's just disappointing that he isn't farther along than he is.

tadow wrote: Fri Aug 28, 2026 12:58 am Really encouraging on the defensive side today

Good point. It's easy to get lost in the negatives. We ran an actual defense and shut SF the f*** down. Throw Maxx into the mix when the season starts and we might not be a complete embarrassment on that side of the ball for once.

When a pass hits a receivers hands and then gets intercepted, for me the INT isn't always on the QB.

It does seem that Mendoza has so much zip on the ball receivers have trouble catching them. But he's throwing in very tight windows and it seems he can't take anything off the throws.

Mendoza's has less than one full game under his belt with a different surrounding cast. When he get consistent play with consistent players he will be fine.

I'm glad he's going to be #2 for a while.

Opoponax50 wrote: Fri Aug 28, 2026 5:33 am Do you honestly think the kid is where you thought he'd be?

I don't.

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but in his time on the field he's thrown 2 picks that led to 10 points against us and has led drives that netted us 13 points; and that's against 2nd and 3rd stringers. Last night he went 7/14 with a pick, and his safety valve was open on that play. I've always said he should sit and it's clear that he's going to need more time on the bench than was hoped for.

I'm not calling him a bust and neither is anyone else. It's just disappointing that he isn't farther along than he is.

Not sure what your expectation is of him. He's a rookie with not very good talent around him not to mention a new coaching staff/scheme. It's going to take a bit for him. He's flashed his potential and continues to work to improve. Not sure what more you could ask from him. Just because he was the top pick or most "pro ready" qb in the draft doesn't mean he's ready for the big leagues

SuperRaider wrote: Fri Aug 28, 2026 12:23 am At the moment Menzo does not really have good line in front of him for protection….the LT and C could get a starting job on most teams in the NFL but the LG, RG and RT might struggle to make the starting lineup on most of the NFL teams today….but once the starting lineup get maybe 4 to 6 games under their belt; they might improve…….

Gotta remember the raiders were the worse team in the NFL in 2025…and the only thing that they improved on for line was get a probowl center which is good; but the raiders did not do anything for the LG, RG and RT spot except go with last year rosters which could get better, but they need playing time first…..

Since he didn't take big hits but some hits certainly in the preseason, it's probably for the best it was a bit spotty. He needs to see that (he did) and work quicker.

If this were a real game hopefully the 1rst string line would do better, but I hope Klint would alter play-calling to match the situation.

Mendoz'a signature back shoulder pass, did he complete one of those this preseason? Not even saying that's on him, but I remember incompletion after incompletion.

Rabidraider wrote: Fri Aug 28, 2026 5:44 am When a pass hits a receivers hands and then gets intercepted, for me the INT isn't always on the QB.

It does seem that Mendoza has so much zip on the ball receivers have trouble catching them. But he's throwing in very tight windows and it seems he can't take anything off the throws.

Mendoza's has less than one full game under his belt with a different surrounding cast. When he get consistent play with consistent players he will be fine.

I'm glad he's going to be #2 for a while.

I was a little surprised by how small Nailor is. (Most sites say 6’0”, one says 5’11”, so maybe even 5’10”) Mendo’s pass was a bit behind and high, but a true #1 would have snagged that. Nailor is much more a Shaheed (SEA, former NO) in Kubiak’s O than a JSN. We simply don’t have a JSN, and won’t until the 1st or 2nd round of next year’s draft.

Thats just the way it goes when you’re rebuilding. Maye and the Pats had a helluva run and a cupcake schedule last year. Can’t wait until we experience the same. What I was getting at though is he’s finally throwing to a #1 in this his third year. Mendo will get a true #1 to throw to next year. A young one he can grow with.

It’s gonna be bumpy, but after not just years, but fk’n decades of “retooling”, has-beens, and never-was’s, I’m still fuckin’ here. Raider for life. Got our franchise QB. Got our Coach. Soon enough, we’ll have our f[raiders_icon]cking Raiders back where they belong.

I love/hate the under center play action. I understand why you do it, but how many times have we already seen Mendoza play action with back to defense, then turn around and have a defender in his face immediately.

Raider_Dave wrote: Fri Aug 28, 2026 8:33 am I love/hate the under center play action. I understand why you do it, but how many times have we already seen Mendoza play action with back to defense, then turn around and have a defender in his face immediately.

Gotta block it better. One in this game was a corner blitz. That’s just perfect playcall vs a play action

SuperRaider wrote: Fri Aug 28, 2026 4:40 am Rams have had the same HC for quite awhile now, so everyone on the same page…With the raiders everything is new….so it going to take Menzo a little while to learn it….

They got a Brady Pats era wet dream back in Dean Connors whose basically a wide receiver/RB all in one also whose been kicking ass. The Rams just have an excellent thing going. A 5th round pick for them may as well be a 2nd for most other teams. They just don't miss