It might need solely been a preseason recreation, however Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza had an opportunity to begin his first NFL recreation on Thursday night time in opposition to the Houston Texans.
It didn’t take lengthy for the No. 1 general choose to have an actual welcome-to-the-NFL second.
Fernando Mendoza throws pick-six on opening drive in opposition to Texans
After finishing his second go of the sport for 22 yards to Jalen Nailor, Mendoza’s subsequent go was picked off by Texans rookie linebacker Wade Woodaz and returned 80 yards for a landing.
Mendoza tried to chase Woodaz down, however he was unable to catch him and make the sort out.
Although he was the No. 1 general choose and is coming off one of many best single seasons in latest school soccer historical past, Mendoza continues to be a rookie, and there are going to be numerous rising pains for him this season when he finally sees the sphere. Nearly as good because the Large Ten is, the expertise hole between that and the NFL is gigantic. And that’s nonetheless true in a preseason recreation the place a lot of the Texans defensive starters will not be on the sphere.
All of that could be a large cause why the Raiders have veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins on the roster and are anticipated to begin him in Week 1 of the common season.
The Raiders want Mendoza to be nice for the subsequent 10-15 years, not simply this season. His improvement is a very powerful factor, and generally that comes from sitting and watching. And from making errors.
Mendoza performed a major quantity of the Raiders’ preseason opener in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals every week in the past, finishing 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards, one landing and no interceptions.
