Mendoza Mania: Is He The Raiders’ Generational QB Hope?

Mendoza Mania: Is He The Raiders’ Generational QB Hope?

The NFL Combine is buzzing, and amidst the athletic freaks and future stars, one name is sparking intense debate and fervent defense: Fernando Mendoza. The young quarterback, fresh off a standout performance in the Big Ten championship game where he was hailed as the best player on the field, is drawing comparisons to NFL legends and facing scrutiny from some of the league’s most respected analysts. Pat McAfee, a staunch advocate for Mendoza, is pushing back against perceived slights, particularly from figures like Dan Orlovsky and Mel Kiper Jr.

Orlovsky’s Early Take Sparks Debate

The controversy ignited when McAfee, while at the combine, saw a graphic on TV suggesting that another quarterback, Dante Moore, was the number one overall prospect, with Mendoza seemingly lower on the list. This prompted an immediate FaceTime call to Orlovsky, who McAfee playfully accused of intentionally downplaying Mendoza’s abilities. Orlovsky’s defense, that he had only watched the first eight games of Mendoza’s season, drew a sharp retort from McAfee. “If you only watched this amount of games, don’t talk,” McAfee argued, emphasizing that Orlovsky had missed crucial, high-pressure moments in Mendoza’s career.

“I just watched first eight games. When I watch the rest of the games, I’ll have a different take.”

Dan Orlovsky (as recounted by Pat McAfee)

McAfee countered that Mendoza’s performance in the biggest games, on third and fourth downs, and in the red zone, proved his mettle. He highlighted that Mendoza excelled when the pressure was highest and the stakes were greatest, citing his performance in the championship game as evidence.

Mel Kiper Jr. and the ‘Generational’ Label

The discussion extended to Mel Kiper Jr., another prominent draft analyst. McAfee recalled projecting Mendoza as “generational” during the College Football Playoff, only to see Kiper Jr. rank Dante Moore as the top quarterback. This perceived oversight has fueled McAfee’s passionate defense of Mendoza, whom he believes is being undervalued.

Mendoza’s Game: Beyond the RPO

McAfee elaborated on why he believes Mendoza is so special, drawing an analogy to learning to drive. “Indiana didn’t have to put him on the freeway for the first part of the season. It was like we’re just going to drive around the parking lot at school then we’ll go out in the neighborhoods and it was like, ‘Okay, here come the big dogs on the schedule. We got to open this thing up, make big throws,’ and he did that throughout the whole entire process.”

He stressed that while many college quarterbacks rely heavily on RPO (Run-Pass Option) schemes, Mendoza’s ability to consistently make plays on third-and-long, in the red zone, and in late-game situations, where RPOs are less prevalent, sets him apart. “Check, check. He went through all those things,” McAfee affirmed.

The ‘Beers with the Boys’ Intangible

Beyond his on-field prowess, McAfee highlighted Mendoza’s personality and leadership qualities. When asked for NFL comparisons, McAfee pointed to a blend of Matt Ryan’s clutch late-game performance and Philip Rivers’ infectious energy and intelligence. However, the most telling aspect for McAfee is Mendoza’s ability to connect with his teammates off the field.

“He has beers with the boys. Like he is out with the O-line sinking having beers,” McAfee stated emphatically. This seemingly simple act, he believes, answers all questions about whether a highly intelligent, “nerdy” quarterback can fit into an NFL locker room. “The boys will be like, if he’s good, if he has success, he’ll do that. But then if he shows up at a D-line dinner and has some drinks with them or whatever, it’s like he’s already proven that he would do that.” This “nerd with the boys” persona, combined with his talent, is what makes Mendoza, in McAfee’s eyes, a potentially “generational” talent.

Raiders’ Offensive Overhaul: A Path to Success?

Looking ahead, McAfee sees a clear path for Mendoza to turn the Raiders around, provided the team prioritizes offensive talent. “I would go in there and just all the magnets and then I probably don’t use magnets anymore. Dating myself. I’d take all those defensive magnets and just swipe them off the board. Just taking offensive players.” He specifically mentioned the importance of solidifying the offensive line, noting that the Raiders already have a strong left tackle in Kolton Miller and could potentially retain a player like Tyler Linderbaum in free agency.

McAfee drew parallels to the Patriots and Bears, who successfully rebuilt their offensive lines quickly to support their quarterbacks. “The Patriots, I know it didn’t end the way they wanted, they got to the Super Bowl with four-fifths of a new offensive line. The Bears rebuilt the entire interior of that offensive line and made life easier. So, it can happen a lot faster than you think.”

Setting Expectations for Mendoza’s Rookie Year

Even if the Raiders don’t immediately contend for a championship, McAfee suggests that a 5-12 record in the first year, with Mendoza showing consistent improvement and the offense being built around him, would be a success. He compared this to the situation with Drake Maye in New England, where despite a losing record, the rookie quarterback’s development was a positive sign.

“That’d be Drake May, New England basically, year one. Even though we got a whole new coach and him the entire rookie year, Drake was like, ‘Oh yeah, I mean, we’re not winning games right now, but Drake is doing things that we’re liking.'” McAfee concluded, suggesting that a similar trajectory for Mendoza with the Raiders would be a promising sign for the franchise’s future.

Key Takeaways:

• Fernando Mendoza is being championed as a potentially elite NFL quarterback.
• Pat McAfee strongly defends Mendoza against perceived criticism from analysts like Dan Orlovsky and Mel Kiper Jr.
• Mendoza’s clutch performance in big games and his ability to make plays outside of RPO schemes are highlighted as key strengths.
• His “nerd with the boys” personality is seen as a crucial intangible for locker room integration.
• McAfee believes the Raiders should prioritize offensive line talent to maximize Mendoza’s potential.

Source: Is Fernando Mendoza The Right Man To Turn The Raiders Around? | Pat McAfee Show (YouTube)