Mendoza ‘Geeked Out’ Meeting Tom Brady in Vegas Visit

Mendoza ‘Geeked Out’ Meeting Tom Brady in Vegas Visit

Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza is set to visit the team’s facilities as the offseason workouts begin. Mendoza, who is reportedly working with Brian Greasie and getting a head start on the playbook, will have the chance to meet key people within the organization. This visit is crucial for him to get acquainted with his new teammates and the team’s operations.

While Mendoza won’t be attending the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, choosing instead to celebrate with his family in Miami, his focus is on preparing for his professional career. Some might see celebrating in Miami as a great option, akin to the US Men’s Hockey team’s celebrations.

Under Center Transition a Key Focus

A significant aspect of Mendoza’s transition to the NFL is adapting to playing under center. Last season, the Seattle Seahawks, where Mendoza spent time, utilized snaps from under center more than most teams, ranking second in the league in that category. While most college programs, except for service academies like Army, Navy, and Air Force, primarily run plays out of the shotgun formation, this switch is a common challenge for all graduating quarterbacks entering the NFL.

Despite the potential initial hurdles, the expectation is that Mendoza will become comfortable with the under-center snaps by September. The focus will then shift to mastering the nuances of the Raiders’ offensive system. This is where the addition of veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins becomes vital. Cousins, who has extensive experience in this offense, can provide invaluable guidance.

Brady’s Presence Adds Intrigue

During his combine meeting, Mendoza had a memorable 15-minute session where he facetimed his childhood idol, Tom Brady. Reports indicate that Mendoza was incredibly excited, or as Peter Schrager put it, “absolutely geeked out” during the call. Adding to the excitement, Tom Brady is expected to be present this week during Mendoza’s visit to the Raiders.

Brady’s not going to be calling the plays. Brady’s not going to be coaching this team. But to have Tom Brady invested in you as a quarterback, it raises your expectations. And I think he is internally motivated. He doesn’t need that.

Schrager noted that this is a significant moment, as Mendoza will be the first quarterback drafted by a team associated with Tom Brady and also the first for head coach Clint Kubiak. Many are placing their hopes and reputations on Mendoza’s success, especially after his performance with Signetti at Indiana, where he helped elevate a good team to a championship level. The hope is that he can bring similar success to the Raiders, who struggled last season.

Cousins’ Role in Development

Kirk Cousins’ presence is seen as a huge factor in easing the pressure on Mendoza and allowing him to develop. While it’s not guaranteed that Cousins will start Week 1, his experience is immense. Having played for 13-14 years in the NFL, Cousins has seen a wide variety of situations. Unlike Mendoza, who possesses natural talent like his size (6’5″, 236 lbs), a strong arm, and accuracy, Cousins has built his career on diligent preparation and superior processing skills.

Cousins’ ability to process information quickly and his experience in managing the game under pressure, even if he isn’t as elusive as players like Lamar Jackson, can teach Mendoza invaluable lessons. Schrager believes Cousins can teach Mendoza how to maximize the 8-15 seconds a play allows, potentially separating a good quarterback from an outstanding one, which is exactly what the Raiders are hoping for.

Steelers Face Draft Dilemma

Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers, hosting the NFL Draft, hold the 21st overall pick in the first round, along with multiple picks in the second, third, and fourth rounds, giving them a total of 12 selections. The question for the Steelers is whether to use these picks to trade up for specific players or to utilize all their selections to build depth.

With key defensive players like Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt aging, the Steelers desperately need to inject youth into their defense. The team’s ownership is unlikely to allow for a complete rebuild, meaning they must proactively address needs through the draft. Building depth appears to be the more prudent strategy over chasing a few difference-makers.

Quarterback Question Looms in Pittsburgh

Despite the need for defensive talent, there’s a growing sentiment among fans and analysts that the Steelers must address their quarterback situation. The frustration after their playoff loss to the Houston Texans was palpable, with calls for changes at multiple levels of the organization. The team has often found itself in a “gray area,” picking late in the draft without a clear future at quarterback.

The prevailing thought is that to win at a high level in today’s NFL, elite quarterback play is essential. The Steelers need to decide if they will pursue a proven veteran or take a swing on a college prospect with the potential to become a franchise quarterback, much like Dak Prescott. The team’s current draft position is partly a result of past successes, including the presence of Aaron Rodgers, which has kept them out of the top quarterback-needy conversations in recent years.

Source: Fernando Mendoza 'absolutely geeked out' over meeting Tom Brady 🥹 – Peter Schrager | NFL Live (YouTube)