Raiderstation

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.

mranquales wrote: Fri Aug 21, 2026 2:39 am Our defense is going to be bottom 5. That's objective reality. Nothing you say will change that.

And no, Benson is not better than Thorton. Thorton looked better in practice and preseason last year.

so he looked better against nobody and then looked better than people who were never NFL caliber to begin with?

Strong statement.

GoodTimeCharlie wrote: Fri Aug 21, 2026 3:20 am Your gift for championing and cheerleading the mediocre is unparalleled. A genuine Oracle of Dullphi.

Oracle of Delphi, nice reference.

This thread was more interesting than game itself.

1. One poster who apparently thinks someone needs to piss in Mendoza’s corn flakes to toughen him up.

2. Another attempting to prognosticate and failing like always.

3. The groupie who still carries a torch for “the other guy” who used to play QB for us. Also reflexively likes any mention or post of him. Truly Pavlovian response.

So pretty much mid season form.

Washington seems to be the hidden gem this draft.

rich72 wrote: Thu Aug 20, 2026 6:30 pm Our entire team is worse than I thought.

No. Our 3s are better then the Texans 3s so at least we have that going for us.

Some thoughts

-Mendo is a hair slow but that can be sped up. I think the pick 6 is just a rough rookie moment. He's clearly pressing and not letting the game come to him and take what the defense is giving him. That will come with time, but his decision making clearly isn't where it needs to be to start yet.

-Jordan Meredith doesn't belong on an NFL roster

-Both Benson and Nailor need to stop dropping the ball

-Mike Washington Jr. would start on about 20 other teams

Defense

-McCollum looked like a solid backup

-Stukes started to flash some potential

-Really hope Cian Slone (Maxx Jr) makes the team

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

For the most part, I saw encouraging plays from a few of our players and some discouraging plays from others but I guess that's to be expected.

I was especially pleased with the running game which is key in order for Kubiak's offense to be successful. The RBs looked good and the OL showed the ability to create lanes for our RBs.

The DL looked good at times against the run which is also key.

Yeah, I know it's preseason, but I see some flashes of improvement over last year's players and coaches.

DrDUne wrote: Thu Aug 20, 2026 6:44 pm La-ooo-bee looks decent

Yea he found the gap a couple times but who was the rb who came across and picked up that saftey blitz beautifully.

Opoponax50 wrote: Thu Aug 20, 2026 7:02 pm That one stung.

Grow a pair FCFS. In preseason, go for it one 4th and 1. Then see how your D does if you don't convert.

meh yea they could of but its preseason and smashing heads for 1 yard? Add punt coverage needs film also with some players counting on it to make the squad. Kubiak will use it to tip the scales.

raiders93 wrote: Thu Aug 20, 2026 7:05 pm Hard to say with backups in but if the starters are anything similar… we might be getting a glimpse of why Mendo should sit. Not because he can’t play. But damn how many f[raiders_icon]cking hits has he taken tonight and how many dropped balls has he had.

Looks like we’re gonna have to score 30 a game with this defence

It wouldn't surprise me if Kurk and Fernando both came out with the 1s in the next game for a series each.

Rick In Bakersfield wrote: Thu Aug 20, 2026 8:10 pm WOO-HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cousins 0-1
Mendoza 1-0 lol

Well, something no one is talking about. Kubiak completely out coached whioever was calling plays for the Texans in the 2nd half. Especially on that last GW drive, I mean, I understand Texans were playing their 3rd string defesne, but Raiders had their 3rd stringers out there as well. Texans let us complete that down and out to the sidelines underneath the coverage for three straight 1st downs and go right down the field. Yes, the Raiders 3rd string out executed the Texans backups but Kubiak put them in a position to win in the end. That is what I thought was just as impressive as AOC stepping up to win the game.

tatalalicious wrote: Fri Aug 21, 2026 4:11 am Fernando played with poise again eventhough his receivers failed him at critical times even on the pick 6, liked how how he didn't flinch when facing pressure and delivered some strikes. Like to see what he can do with a better line and talent at the skilled positions, future looks bright.As bad as our defense played the first half, the dbs played much better this week with some strong tackling especially from Stukes.
This will be a development year for the team. Looks like we may be picking higher in next years draft than I thought, I aint mad about that to be honest.

Good post

WNYRAIDER wrote: Fri Aug 21, 2026 4:17 am ....new players, new system, and the players here from last year, and including some kids with promise, were coached backwards last year, and with Mendoza, you see some good, and obviously, some stuff he has to clean up, though I also think he was also consistently dealing with more people in his space than he could with the starters in front of him.
...either way, realistically, with the new system and coaching, and a lot of moving parts, I wouldn't expect us to get a real sense of what we have at this time, or not, until 4-5 weeks in to the season.

Agree on the time line you point out.
Judging by some of the comments here there's gonna be some telephones a'ringin' at suicide hotline for 5 or 6 weeks as the mgt gets it sorted out, then I think things will smooth out.

I expect the team to be on an upward path as the season wears on.

I can't wait!!!