Fernando Mendoza didn’t field a snap with the first-team offense Thursday night for the Las Vegas Raiders in his preseason debut against the Arizona Cardinals at Allegiant Stadium. Quarterbacking the second team, Mendoza presided over four possessions — leading the Raiders on a scoring drive.
And perhaps he’s on his way to more first-team reps in practice.
Speaking to reporters via videoconference Friday, Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said he’s discussing with his assistant coaches how he wants divvy the first-team reps. Kirk Cousins quaterbacked the first-team offense to a touchdown Thursday on the opening drive and has handled the first-team snaps in practice, save for the snaps last Saturday amid suspension for a dust-up with defensive end Maxx Crosby.
Mendoza led the first team Saturday and “played good football” Thursday per Kubiak, who reassessed his showing (10-of-16 passing for 97 yards, a passing touchdown, six rushing yards and a sack) after reviewing the footage before the videoconference.
“We put a lot on his plate … getting ready for this preseason game and he went out and executed the way that he does in practice,” Kubiak said. “Some guys they get to the game and things change and it moves fast and they freak out. He was the opposite. He was very calm. He was getting the calls in. He was seeing coverage well.
“I like the way he moved in the pocket. Got outside and extended some plays. … The things that he did in the game are the things that I’ve seen him do in practice. So, he’s consistent. The consistency from the position is important.”
Expressing excitement about his debut, Mendoza mostly lamented his performance, harping on the mistakes he made instead of highlighting the quality reps. He said he planned to review the game tape after leaving Allegiant Stadium and Kubiak said the best quarterbacks he’s been around tend to function as their harshest critics.
“They put the finger on them before they put it on their teammates,” he added, noting Mendoza is “going to continue to get better.”
Here are other takeaways from Kubiak’s videoconference:
Cornerbacks challenged
The Raiders tasked their cornerbacks with covering the Cardinals man to man and were exposed by Arizona in the first half Thursday for 15-of-15 passing.
Second-year corner Darien Porter and rookie Hezekiah Masses are competing to start with Eric Stokes. Kubiak said “we have some decision to make so it’s important that we see these guys cover.”
Porter got beat by Arizona wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. for a score on a crossing route through the back of the end zone, for which his dive couldn’t breakup the completion from quarterback Jacoby Brissett. Raiders rookie Jermod McCoy got beat for touchdowns on two fade patterns (Simi Fehoko and Jalen Brooks from Garner Minshew) with the second-team defense in his first football game in more than 18 months.
But Kubiak was nonetheless pleased McCoy played after exhaustive rehab from a torn right ACL.
“I still can’t say enough great things about what he’s done to get himself physically to this point,” Kubiak said. “I’m really proud of him. And last night, he got back to football and go a few thrown on him.
“But he’s going to better for it. So, we’ll just keep improving.”
Absences explained
Wide receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr. and cornerback Decamerion Richardson didn’t play Friday, but Kubiak expects their returns. Thornton has been dealing with an undisclosed injury but figures to play in the preseason, Kubiak said.
Richardson missed the matchup for the birth of his child, Kubiak added.
On to Houston
The Raiders continue their three-game preseason Thursday at the Houston Texans.
Before that, they’ll practice Tuesday with the Texans in their lone joint practice of training camp.
Kubiak said the offensive line is going to get some great work” against Houston’s vaunted front while “being out there in a different kind of heat will be a great challenge for us in our conditioning.”
Contact Sam Gordon at sgordon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BySamGordon on X.
Up next
■ Who: Raiders at Texans, exhibition
■ When: Thursday, 5 p.m.
■ Where: Reliant Stadium, Houston
■ TV: ESPN
