Raiderstation

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

Dis SF play tbier starting defense in the 1st Q?

I gotta give Kirk Cousins props. The thought of bringing him on was a no in my mind due to assumed contract demands. It's pretty obvious he has full control of the offense & looks very comfortable in it. Thats probably an excellent pickup for the Raiders regardless at this point. Fernando will be alright, but it's going to help him to sit for a little bit. If Kirk does really well and stays healthy as the starter, so be it.

Mike Washington is the real deal. I'm excited for the ground game. It's pretty obvious to me that the Kubiak wide zone is going to improve running the rock by quite a bit.

The Las Vegas Raiders chose to play their starting units for the first two series, the 49ers gave all of their regulars the night off. The game was treated strictly as a showcase for second- and third-string players fighting for depth positions and the final spots on the 49ers 53-man roster.

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.

In my opinion I think you aren't seeing the big picture. Hes not only a rookie but as someone above mentioned he is stepping into semi chaos. Yes we hope this is the beginning cleaning up decades of dysfunction but it will still take a good part of this year going into next year before there will be continuity and stability.

Do you see there is a difference between entering the Raiders org today vs if he was entering KC`s camp or the Rams or others that have had winning records with a HC thats been on the same team more than 2-3 years? Again as somebody above mentioned, those teams are already on autopilot and just need a few of the new guys to step in and learn........vs an entire roster all beginning at the same time.

Also, one of his picks was not his fault (and I actually think his first pick was not on Fernando as well).

Hellbound wrote: Fri Aug 28, 2026 6:40 am 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

My expectation is that he would show more than he has--some "Holy shit, did you see that?" moments. Not a lot, just a few--say 2-3, along with a competent grasp of the basic playbook. expected him to look good against the other teams' 2nd and 3rds.

To be crystal clear as I can be, I'm not calling him a bust; that would be absurd. What I am saying is that he's farther behind the curve than he should be. It's entirely possible that things will suddenly click for him and he'll be ready to go. It's what happened with John Elway and I think it's entirely possible for him.

Raidernation1979 wrote: Fri Aug 28, 2026 8:37 am Gotta block it better. One in this game was a corner blitz. That’s just perfect playcall vs a play action

If we're thinking of the same play, Gannon called that an error on Mendoza's part for not understanding what he was looking at. That is, he should've seen that defender, identified the issue, and changed up part of the blocking scheme based on a correct read. Rich essentially called it a learning moment.

If we're not thinking of the same play, never mind.

Xramfan wrote: Fri Aug 28, 2026 1:22 pm In my opinion I think you aren't seeing the big picture. Hes not only a rookie but as someone above mentioned he is stepping into semi chaos. Yes we hope this is the beginning cleaning up decades of dysfunction but it will still take a good part of this year going into next year before there will be continuity and stability.

Do you see there is a difference between entering the Raiders org today vs if he was entering KC`s camp or the Rams or others that have had winning records with a HC thats been on the same team more than 2-3 years? Again as somebody above mentioned, those teams are already on autopilot and just need a few of the new guys to step in and learn........vs an entire roster all beginning at the same time.

I hear ya', and I don't necessarily disagree. However, he doesn't appear to have the basics down very well, which indicates he's behind the curve. I do think he'll eventually catch up to a degree where he can be more accurately evaluated.

Opoponax50 wrote: Fri Aug 28, 2026 2:24 pm If we're thinking of the same play, Gannon called that an error on Mendoza's part for not understanding what he was looking at. That is, he should've seen that defender, identified the issue, and changed up part of the blocking scheme based on a correct read. Rich essentially called it a learning moment.

If we're not thinking of the same play, never mind.

I think we are. Yes those are things rookies learn at this level

Post game pressers
coach Klint


Kirk


Fernando

SkullCrusher wrote: Fri Aug 28, 2026 7:00 am 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.

If I’m evaluating Mendo I’d say the bad is he can leave the pocket too early at times and has generally been pretty aggressive throwing into tight windows. The good I’d say is he looks like an NFL QB. He gets through his reads, he generally hasn’t made many bonehead decisions, his accuracy is as advertised, his pocket awareness has overall been pretty good and honestly he’s way more athletic than was advertised. I’d also say his pure arm talent is markedly better than what was advertised.

With Mendo he just needs reps and more from the cast around him.

Take any of the top 20 WRs in the league and thwy make the catch Nailor dropped that ended in an int for Fernando.

Haven't seen this formation in decades.
Where's the blitz coming from?

KillerRaider30 wrote: Fri Aug 28, 2026 6:45 pm Take any of the top 20 WRs in the league and thwy make the catch Nailor dropped that ended in an int for Fernando.

Nailor is starting to look like that gimmicky-end around-reverse-sweep type, with an occasional go route.

I can’t get his weak sauce patty-caking with the DB on one of Mendo’s sideline back shoulder throws out of my mind. He was busy crying for PI before the ball had even arrived. You gotta block out the defender or high point or those won’t work. Nailor showed he’s not the guy for that play. Be nice to see those with Bowers.

It’s early, but I’d sure like to see what Kubiak sees in the dude.

Nailor could end up being a bust of a signing. I have not been impressed thus far