Las Vegas Raiders quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan was able to get a long look at national champion and Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza during the pre-draft process and had a pretty good idea what the franchise was getting in the No. 1 pick.
Nothing has been surprising to Sullivan in his first few weeks working with Mendoza in the building.
“Everything about that young man is as advertised,” Sullivan said Tuesday during OTAs at the team facility.
He credited Mendoza for coming in and getting to work immediately after the Raiders picked him at the top of the draft, as expected.
“He’s someone that loves the game, that is passionate about it, that is really consumed with it in the right way,” Sullivan said. “It’s not about the accolades that come with being a No. 1 pick or notoriety or anything other than just a humility to know he has a lot of areas he needs to improve on and he’s taking them on one by one. We’re systematically trying to do everything we can to encourage that growth and development. It starts with his attitude and that’s been tremendous so far.”
Much of the talk has been about Mendoza’s need to work on playing from under center after not being asked to do that very often in college.
Sullivan, however, said that’s true of most players entering the league in the modern era. He’s not worried so much about those things because he has seen how dedicated Mendoza is and believes it’s only a matter of hard work and repetition. What he has witnessed is a meticulous approach to getting better in all aspects of quarterback play.
“It starts with his approach as a player, which makes all of that go so much more smoothly,” Sullivan said. “He’s focused just on the process. He’s not concerned with anything other than, ‘How can he push off and not pivot on his first step? or ‘How can he have consistent timing in a particular pass concept?’ Those are the things he is focused on and that makes it easier. This is not a young man focused on anything other than getting better every day.”
Sullivan has also been pleased with the role of Kirk Cousins and Aidan O’Connell, who have aided Mendoza in his transition to the NFL.
“Kirk is a true pro and a good person, a good man,” Sullivan said. “He’s been very helpful in the room. Aidan has been tremendous as well. He’s very, very smart and really been able to fit in well within this system. Those guys know what it takes. They’ve been in tight games and they’ve been in two-minute drives. That perspective is one they can share with the young guys.”
‘Thank you, Lord’
Ronell Williams was already excited about taking on the role of linebackers coach for the Raiders even before they landed standouts Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker in free agency.
Then, he was thrilled.
“Thank you, Lord,” Williams laughed when recalling the moment he found out. “You feel like you must be living right. But truly to get the talent we have and the depth that we’re growing and developing is a true joy. Something every coach would be grateful for.”
Williams has been on the defensive staff, including working with linebackers, with the Eagles the last three years where he got to know Dean.
But the depth and versatility of the group is what really his him optimistic.
“The guys have been hungry and attentive and intentional about it all from Day 1,” Williams said. “That’s been the best part. Nobody is taking anything for granted. Everybody is working day in and day out, really attacking the weaknesses and sharpening the strengths.”
‘Silent confidence’
Raiders defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator Joe Woods has been impressed by rookie Jermod McCoy.
The cornerback was a top-10 talent who fell to the fourth round because of long-term concerns about his injured knee and the Raiders know they may have gotten a steal if he can stay healthy.
“I think he has a chance to be a really good football player,” Woods said. “He’s great. He doesn’t say a lot, but he has that silent confidence about him. He’s very smart. Answers a lot of questions when I ask him directly. He’s been out there on the field so I had a chance to see what kind of athlete he is just going through some of the drills.”
Woods said he has had some great conversations with McCoy, who now has to put the disappointment of the draft process behind him and work on becoming an NFL cornerback.
“I think his confidence is really good,” Woods said. “I think the main thing is just him getting back to 100 percent. I think that’s what he’s working toward and I think he’ll get there. We just have to be patient and he has to be patient. But he’s improving every day and I’m excited to really get going with him when we get back to training camp.”
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.
