Cousins signs with Raiders

[chucker]

I don't love this. I get it, but I don't love it.

[chucker]

And he can QB/coach it on the field until everyone is comfortably up to game speed with it. When it’s running well Fernando can take over. I didn’t want him at firs, but have changed my mind.

I didn't want him either. We'll see how it goes. I think Cousins likely starts game 1, and is likely on the bench by game 6. The odds that he's the starter by midseason are slim to me, and I don't think it's a big deal at all if Mendoza ends up not starting game 1. Obviously the physical tools aren't close to being comparable, but Cousins has seen every NFL defense live, and Mendoza has seen zero. The idea that Cousins is "better" at the end of the preseason even with diminished physical tools (that were never great to start with) isn't actually that far fetched.

For me, a lot of it is about the oline, which I believe will take time to gel. I want Cousins to take the hits early if the oline starts out slow.

[Raiders Baby]

I didn't want him either. We'll see how it goes. I think Cousins likely starts game 1, and is likely on the bench by game 6. The odds that he's the starter by midseason are slim to me, and I don't think it's a big deal at all if Mendoza ends up not starting game 1. Obviously the physical tools aren't close to being comparable, but Cousins has seen every NFL defense live, and Mendoza has seen zero. The idea that Cousins is "better" at the end of the preseason even with diminished physical tools (that were never great to start with) isn't actually that far fetched.

For me, a lot of it is about the oline, which I believe will take time to gel. I want Cousins to take the hits early if the oline starts out slow.

I agree with this.

In operations, one of the hidden ingredients is 'tacit knowledge', the knowledge that employees gain on the job about the little things that make the system work. They know how to manage quirks and idiosyncrasies and have a natural feel for the system. When you replace an employee with a high degree of tacit knowledge, a smart operator knows they must replace more than just the hours that employee filled.

Kirk is rich in tacit NFL knowledge, and tacit knowledge of the system KK runs. He knows what opposing defenses like to do, and the corresponding checks and protections. Mendoza is a far greater talent IMO, but he does not know these things as well as Kirk does.

Which brings me to your second point about the OL. The OL is basically new -- new scheme and 60% new personnel, and one of the returning personnel is still fitting into a new position. Having a QB with low tacit knowledge will only add to the chaos of a new OL learning to play together. I think we will see the OL learn to play together much more quickly if there is a vet in charge.

Once the OL is up to speed, I am fine with Mendoza taking over, regardless of how ready he is. The best way to gain the aforementioned tacit knowledge is to see it live and make mistakes. But I think having a rookie out there on day 1 with a brand new OL is not a recipe for a good start to his career.

In my mind, Kirk's role is mostly to get the offense working the way it's supposed to so that there are fewer moving pieces once Mendoza steps in (and to be a game day tackling dummy until that time)

[Jeevo]

I agree with this.

In operations, one of the hidden ingredients is 'tacit knowledge', the knowledge that employees gain on the job about the little things that make the system work. They know how to manage quirks and idiosyncrasies and have a natural feel for the system. When you replace an employee with a high degree of tacit knowledge, a smart operator knows they must replace more than just the hours that employee filled.

Kirk is rich in tacit NFL knowledge, and tacit knowledge of the system KK runs. He knows what opposing defenses like to do, and the corresponding checks and protections. Mendoza is a far greater talent IMO, but he does not know these things as well as Kirk does.

Which brings me to your second point about the OL. The OL is basically new -- new scheme and 60% new personnel, and one of the returning personnel is still fitting into a new position. Having a QB with low tacit knowledge will only add to the chaos of a new OL learning to play together. I think we will see the OL learn to play together much more quickly if there is a vet in charge.

Once the OL is up to speed, I am fine with Mendoza taking over, regardless of how ready he is. The best way to gain the aforementioned tacit knowledge is to see it live and make mistakes. But I think having a rookie out there on day 1 with a brand new OL is not a recipe for a good start to his career.

In my mind, Kirk's role is mostly to get the offense working the way it's supposed to so that there are fewer moving pieces once Mendoza steps in (and to be a game day tackling dummy until that time)

Yuip, 100%. And watching someone use his tacit knowledge to solve problems and handle situations, and then being able to question him about how, and why, he did what he did, is a better way of learning a lot of things than just being thrown on there.

[GoodTimeCharlie]

[powski]

The fact that Nailor played with Cousins before made him cry laughing emoji? Why would that information crack someone up?

[Rabidraider]

The fact that Nailor played with Cousins before made him cry laughing emoji? Why would that information crack someone up?

I guess he is laughing because no one see's how good Nailor and Cousins will actually be this year.

Nailor is going to be sneaky good I think. He could be our #1 and not know it yet.

[Willmark]

What I think people are having a hard time with is Kubiak’s offense isn’t centered on A WR1. Sure it would be nice to have but his scheme is to continually keep the defense guessing wrong and get the ball to the mismatch. Whether that’s RB1, WR5 or TE3 it doesn’t matter.

[Hellbound]

I guess he is laughing because no one see's how good Mailor and Cousins will actually be this year.

Nailor is going to be sneaky good I think. He could be our #1 and not know it yet.

For all intents and purposes Bowers is the number 1 receiver and Nailor basically has Bech as his competition for being the #1 wr so it's not very far fetched as implied

[GoodTimeCharlie]

What I think people are having a hard time with is Kubiak’s offense isn’t centered on A WR1. Sure it would be nice to have but his scheme is to continually keep the defense guessing wrong and get the ball to the mismatch. Whether that’s RB1, WR5 or TE3 it doesn’t matter.

I agree it doesn’t have to be a Justin Jefferson, but he does like route-running/precision. At least that’s what I seem to pickup looking at MINN, NO, and SEA during his time coaching there. Each WR room is pretty different, but what all his “WR1-ish” guys have had is excellent route-running ability. Jefferson/Olave/JSN.

He seems to like at least one speed guy as well, but his speed guy doesn’t necessarily have to be his “WR1-ish” guy. I just don’t know if our speed guys, Thornton/Tucker fit the bill. Thornton has a long way to go before he’s even decent at route-running, and Tuckers probably too short.

Edit: Anyone with a quick list of all the players coming out that the Raiders have visited in-person or online?

[Willmark]

I agree whoever is our WR1 this year is likely name only compared to the league.

[Goodtimes333]

I agree it doesn’t have to be a Justin Jefferson, but he does like route-running/precision. At least that’s what I seem to pickup looking at MINN, NO, and SEA during his time coaching there. Each WR room is pretty different, but what all his “WR1-ish” guys have had is excellent route-running ability. Jefferson/Olave/JSN.

He seems to like at least one speed guy as well, but his speed guy doesn’t necessarily have to be his “WR1-ish” guy. I just don’t know if our speed guys, Thornton/Tucker fit the bill. Thornton has a long way to go before he’s even decent at route-running, and Tuckers probably too short.

Edit: Anyone with a quick list of all the players coming out that the Raiders have visited in-person or online?

Tre Tucker too short?? What the hell. There's this guy named Tyreek Hill, don't know if you've heard of him. He's an inch taller than Tre. Tre Tucker has already proven he's a deep threat on dog shit offenses with awful coordinators

[GoodTimeCharlie]

Tre Tucker too short?? What the hell. There's this guy named Tyreek Hill, don't know if you've heard of him. He's an inch taller than Tre. Tre Tucker has already proven he's a deep threat on dog shit offenses with awful coordinators

He’s no Hill. He is 5’9”, too short. You can fanboy all you want, but if you look at Kubiak’s history with WR1, 2, and 3, i.e. his main starters, Tucker is an outlier. Doesn’t mean he’ll be cut, so no need to get your f[raiders_icon]cking panties in a bunch.

[DanKD]

Tucker is decent. The issue is either he has a meh year and we move on or he has a really good year and we have to pay him 30 million when he's not a top 30 nfl wr

[KillerRaider30]

For all intents and purposes Bowers is the number 1 receiver and Nailor basically has Bech as his competition for being the #1 wr so it's not very far fetched as implied

Where I agree w you the Raiders need a second receiver who can break man coverage.
Right now Brock is the only one can at a high rate and they cant continually feed him the ball.
There going to need that second player at the x position outside the hash.

[Goodtimes333]

He’s no Hill. He is 5’9”, too short. You can fanboy all you want, but if you look at Kubiak’s history with WR1, 2, and 3, i.e. his main starters, Tucker is an outlier. Doesn’t mean he’ll be cut, so no need to get your f[raiders_icon]cking panties in a bunch.

Refer to where I said he was Hill. Your statement was about height so I talked height alone. You said Tre was too short to fulfill his role which is hilarious. Oh, and when asked what players come to mind as far as talent on the team already, the first name Klint Kubiak brought up was Tre Tucker. To say he's too short for this or that is outlandish is all I'm saying.