Well, wasn’t that anticlimactic?
What we have known for months — that the Raiders would select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall draft pick Thursday night — came to fruition.
And now, the question remains … what to do with him?
And now, the answer is simple … slow play things.
It’s why you signed veteran Kirk Cousins. It’s why general manager John Spytek and coach Klint Kubiak have said often it’s not their preference to start a rookie quarterback to begin the season.
There is so much for Mendoza to learn. So many nuances — hey, what about that part about being under center? — for him to practice and perfect.
Cousins is the ideal sounding board and teacher for all of it. He can tutor Mendoza on what it takes to be an NFL quarterback. From the tiniest of details to major differences between here and Bloomington.
Fans undoubtedly will want to see Mendoza on the field sooner than later. They’ve waited a long time for this. For the promise only a top choice — especially at the game’s most important position — can generate.
They’ll want to see him play like, right now. But if folks in charge are smart, and they appear to be so, they’ll let the rookie sit behind Cousins to start.
Then, see how the season plays out over the first several weeks. See where the Raiders go as a team, how Cousins is performing. See how Mendoza is developing.
Look. He’s going to be the guy eventually. The Raiders know it. Cousins knows it. Mendoza knows it.
But you want to give the latter the best chance to succeed when it’s time. You want him more than ready before taking the reins. You want him confident in every phase.
It was by far the right pick to make for the Raiders. You’re talking about a future potential franchise quarterback. Someone who could quite possibly lead the organization to consistent contention in the AFC West and in line for annual playoff berths.
Just make sure he’s ready when handing him the keys.
There’s nothing wrong with slow playing this.
In fact, it’s the right move.
Ed Graney, a Sigma Delta Chi Award winner for sports column writing, can be reached at egraney@reviewjournal.com. Follow @edgraney on X.
