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

[Attyla]

Brady was in his second year when he took over for Bledsoe. I think a rookie QB learns a lot in one year being on the bench.

They do and it was never going to be a perfect comparison hence my precursor statement. But a rookie can also learn a lot on the field. But the point was more about when Mendoza goes in. I know there is a strong group of people who want him to sit until the situation is perfect, but you find out a lot about a player when the situation is not perfect. Look no further than Ward vs Williams.

[mranquales]

The Raiders are a WR1 away from being a playoff team. Mendoza will be fine when it's his turn.

Brady was in his second year when he took over for Bledsoe. I think a rookie QB learns a lot in one year being on the bench.

I stated this before, but Brady is a very bad example. First off, he was a sixth-round pick who was just happy to be there. Yes, he spoke with confidence, but no one (including him) expected that he would take Drew Bledsoe's spot.

Second, Brady was thrown into the game in the absolute worst circumstances for a QB-- being the substitute starting QB for a playoff contending (and eventually SB winning) team while in the hunt. It would be like Mendoza taking over for an 8-2 Raiders team with an injured Kirk Cousins. The ultimate level of pressure.

I don't like when people use Brady and Aaron Rodgers as an example of sitting.

Mendoza being a first overall should not be sitting the entire rookie year. As soon as he's no longer star stuck of being in the NFL, he should be out there.

[Attyla]

The Raiders are a WR1 away from being a playoff team. Mendoza will be fine when it's his turn.



I stated this before, but Brady is a very bad example. First off, he was a sixth-round pick who was just happy to be there. Yes, he spoke with confidence, but no one (including him) expected that he would take Drew Bledsoe's spot.

Second, Brady was thrown into the game in the absolute worst circumstances for a QB-- being the substitute starting QB for a playoff contending (and eventually SB winning) team while in the hunt. It would be like Mendoza taking over for an 8-2 Raiders team with an injured Kirk Cousins. The ultimate level of pressure.

I don't like when people use Brady and Aaron Rodgers as an example of sitting.

Mendoza being a first overall should not be sitting the entire rookie year, as soon as he's no longer star stuck of being in the NFL, he should be out there.

Not sure what the you are talking about. It was game 2 of that year and they were 0 for the year and losing that game. They were not in any hunt. The previous year they were 5-11, the year before that 8-8. But you did get one thing right. He was a 6th round pick. But my point is you expected to be ready when your number is called. Brady was. Mendoza needs to as well. And what you "like" is irrelevant considering when you turn around and make something up like you just did. And again, you are wrong. Brady was a big program QB and he told Kraft the first time he saw him that Kraft would not regret taking him. Brady fully expected to take over for Bledsoe given that Bledsoe's numbers had been declining season over season.

[Attyla]

Belechick, also, was in his first year. They were not preseason favorites to even make the playoffs. Let alone even have a winning record. That played out but Brady played well enough to keep the job, and that was pretty unheard of back then. The saying was that you do not lose your job to an injury the next year when you return. Bledsoe's declining skills coupled with the games Brady navigated made that a farce. I actually wish Bledsoe had returned. We likely win the SB if that does not happen.

[RunOverByHubbard]

Take your foot off the gas pedal gentlemen. While most #1 overall QB picks do start their first game/season, the coaching staff is not starting Mendoza for good reasons. Our offensive line performed OK against the Dolphins, probably one of the 2 or 3 worst teams in the league. I am perfectly willing to wait until the line is a cohesive, effective unit. Also, there are a lot of complaints here about our WR corps. Should we wait to see how that develops? Should we wait until Bowers is back which could be a while? Finally, Attyla, Mendoza looked good at time in the preseason but also played like a middle round draft choice rookie at others. I can wait and live with Cousins.

[mranquales]

Belechick, also, was in his first year. They were not preseason favorites to even make the playoffs. Let alone even have a winning record. That played out but Brady played well enough to keep the job, and that was pretty unheard of back then. The saying was that you do not lose your job to an injury the next year when you return. Bledsoe's declining skills coupled with the games Brady navigated made that a farce. I actually wish Bledsoe had returned. We likely win the SB if that does not happen.

Brady wasn't supposed to play until Bledsoe retired. That's the point.

Brady started the 2000 season as the fourth-string quarterback, behind starter Drew Bledsoe and backups John Friesz and Michael Bishop; by the end of the season, he was number two on the depth chart behind Bledsoe.[109] During his rookie season, he was 1-for-3 passing, for six yards.[110] Tight end Rod Rutledge caught Brady's first and only completed pass of the season in a 34–9 loss to the Detroit Lions.[111][112]

Nothing about that says Brady was thought of as the heir apparent.

Also, Bledsoe came in in relief for Brady in the AFC Championship game and was able to lead the Patriots to victory, so let's not act like Brady was carrying bums. They were analytically expected to win 10 games that year.

[Attyla]

Brady wasn't supposed to play until Bledsoe retired. That's the point.



Nothing about that says Brady was thought of as the heir apparent.

Also, Bledsoe came in in relief for Brady in the AFC Championship game as was able to lead the Patriots to victory, so let's not act like Brady was carrying bums. They were analytically expected to win 10 games that year.

ok, no they were not. They were projected 3rd in their division. And they were "not in the hunt' as it was game 2 and they had lost game 1. Again, they had won 5 games the previous year. Bledsoe was showing the wear and tear that would ultimately capsize his career. Brady took the job and kept it. And you make it sound like Bledsoe came in because Brady was playing poorly. Not the case. He came in because Brady got injured.

And frankly that is bullshit. Brady was not supposed to play until Bledsoe retired? If that were the case Bledsoe would have gotten his job back. Didn't happen. That is just you trying to revise history. And yea, Brady saying it was the best decision Kraft had made was actually a screaming endorsement on Brady's part about his opinion of himself and by default Bledsoe

[rich72]

Mendoza still needs more practice taking snaps under center instead of shotgun. Kubiak likes under center, so Mendoza needs to work on that more. Hes ready though if Cousins goes down, but Cousins may have just been a little rusty, he still helped win us the game. Granted Miami is expected to get the #1 pick in the draft. We will know alot more after the game tomorrow, ill give Cousins a chance though. Mendoza will get his chance eventually, no need to rush him out there if we dont have to.

[mranquales]

ok, no they were not. They were projected 3rd in their division. And they were "not in the hunt' as it was game 2 and they had lost game 1. Again, they had won 5 games the previous year. Bledsoe was showing the wear and tear that would ultimately capsize his career. Brady took the job and kept it. And you make it sound like Bledsoe came in because Brady was playing poorly. Not the case. He came in because Brady got injured.

And frankly that is bullshit. Brady was not supposed to play until Bledsoe retired? If that were the case Bledsoe would have gotten his job back. Didn't happen. That is just you trying to revise history. And yea, Brady saying it was the best decision Kraft had made was actually a screaming endorsement on Brady's part about his opinion of himself and by default Bledsoe

He didn't get his job back because you ride the hot hand and the team had already rallied around Brady at that point. If Bledsoe doesn't get hurt, Brady doesn't play. It's that simple.

Drew Bledsoe was the first overall pick in the 1993 NFL Draft and for the next eight years was considered the face of the Patriots franchise. During his nine-year Patriots career, he broke the Patriots’ career passing records for attempts (4,518), completions (2,544) and yards (29,657). Bledsoe still holds the Patriots’ single-season passing records for attempts (691) and completions (400) and is the only player in franchise history to pass for over 400 yards multiple times (4). He still holds the NFL record for attempts in a season (691 in 1994) and both attempts (70) and completions (45) in a game against Minnesota in 1994 that sparked a seven-game win streak, propelling the Patriots to their first playoff berth in eight years. Bledsoe led the Patriots to the playoffs four times in his first six seasons, helping the team earn back-to-back division titles and three consecutive playoff berths for the first time in franchise history. In 1996, he guided the Patriots to their second AFC Championship in franchise history and a trip to Super Bowl XXXI. Bledsoe is the only quarterback in NFL history with four seasons of at least 600 pass attempts, including three straight from 1994-96 with the Patriots.

Stop trying to discredit and change history to fit your narrative. Brady was NOT expected to play. Brady was NOT drafted to be the starting QB. Tom Brady IS a bad example for a QB sitting. End of discussion.

You can have the last word though.

[KillerRaider30]

I would like to see a more complete team before Mendoza takes over.
Another free agency
Another draft
Another OTA
Another mini camp
Another camp
Another 3 preseason games.

Everyone is learning this system and Kubiak is learning how to be a HC.

Management is learning where the team needs help.

If sitting is productive then sitting longer is more productive.

There's players who succeed as rookie QBs and there's an equal amount who dont.

Last thing I want is Fernando to go in week 5 and end up 1-11 because he's making fatal mistakes.

Kubiak himself said what Fernando needs.
Another 3 preseason games; and everyone is on board excluding an injury to Kirk.

[Attyla]

He didn't get his job back because you ride the hot hand and the team had already rallied around Brady at that point. If Bledsoe doesn't get hurt, Brady doesn't play. It's that simple.



Stop trying to discredit and change history to fit your narrative. Brady was NOT expected to play. Brady was NOT drafted to be the starting QB. Tom Brady IS a bad example for a QB sitting. End of discussion.

You can have the last word though.

The hot hand won 5 games, and I would love to know how that is rallying around a player. Five games is not winning you popularity contests. But that was good enough to unseat Bledsoe. And yes, Brady was not expected to play, but injury changes that. Just like Brady going down in the playoffs. But you have conceded you were wrong that the Patriots in 2000 were projected as a playoff team so I accept that tap out. And finally, before my ultimate comment below, I never changed history. Brady was convinced he would take Bledsoe's job based on skill. That is entirely why he told Kraft what he did. Brady is a great example of my point.

Ironically, you end your comments with end of discussion followed by me be granted the last word.

[Reno Hightower]

We have speed. Tucker is fast. We have 3 guys With 4.3/4.4 speed.

Not trying to get in a pissing match with you. We are all entitled to our opinions but I have seen so many track stars come and go over the years that I really do not get too enamored with forty times. We have some young WR's with speed, Rod Barksdale, Jessie Hester, Louis Murphy and Chaz Schillens to name a few. I was really high on Denarius Moore but none of the aforementioned stepped up and became consistent play makers, although they had nice moments. In fact the last young receiver we had that had the potential to be truly elite was Jerry Porter but as his career evolved it was obvious he was a role player. Pulling his Rolls Royce into Al's parking spot kind of did him in as a Raider.

I didn't mention DHB for obvious reasons.

[chucker]

I would like to see a more complete team before Mendoza takes over.
Another free agency
Another draft
Another OTA
Another mini camp
Another camp
Another 3 preseason games.

Everyone is learning this system and Kubiak is learning how to be a HC.

Management is learning where the team needs help.

If sitting is productive then sitting longer is more productive.

There's players who succeed as rookie QBs and there's an equal amount who dont.

Last thing I want is Fernando to go in week 5 and end up 1-11 because he's making fatal mistakes.

Kubiak himself said what Fernando needs.
Another 3 preseason games; and everyone is on board excluding an injury to Kirk.

I absolutely don't want to wait for another FA or draft before Mendoza starts. I am patient for now, but I believe that the best way to get him ready for 2027 is for him to get significant playing time this season. I think Cousins' limitations will afford him that chance. The 2026 season is really the preseason tuneup for 2027. And actual 2027 preseason games just don't give a player the same experience as 2026 regular season games will.

I couldn't disagree more with your post...... assuming that Cousins doesn't magically and surprisingly have a great season.

[vtraider]

I see AOC is ruled out for tomorrow. Something about a personal matter. Not that I expected to see him. But just in case of emergency

[Attyla]

I see AOC is ruled out for tomorrow. Something about a personal matter. Not that I expected to see him. But just in case of emergency

his moustache comb got a knot?