Richard Sherman
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The Las Vegas Raiders are doing everything to potentially give former Indiana Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza a chance to succeed in the NFL. With the NFL Draft approaching on April 23, the expectation is that the Silver and Black will take Mendoza with the first overall pick.
Moreover, if Mendoza isn’t ready to start, the Raiders did sign Kirk Cousins to be that veteran to play and mentor Mendoza until he’s ready to go. Las Vegas likely doesn’t want to put out a young QB if they aren’t ready and have a setback in his development.
On the April 10 edition of “The Richard Sherman Podcast,” former NFL player Richard Sherman shared his thoughts on the Silver and Black, noting that the franchise is making a responsible decision.
“He’s great as a mentor to a young quarterback if that’s the role he’s comfortable with, and it sounds like, based on how he’s speaking, he is,” Sherman said. “They brought him in for that, and he’s at a point in his career where he’s getting his money and has his family in a good place. He seems happy to help the next guy succeed and do what he needs to do.
“Does he still have that competitiveness and desire to play? I’m sure he does, but they’re paying him enough to say, ‘Hey, whether you mentor or you play, you’re getting your money. Be good.’ He’s in a great place to do that, and the Raiders are in position to handle it the right way. This is what should have happened with J.J. McCarthy. It’s what happened with Jordan Love. It’s how teams give quarterbacks the best possible chance to succeed.”
Raiders’ Kirk Cousins Talks Fernando Mendoza
During an appearance on “Good Morning Football,“ Cousins spoke about the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and kind of let the cat out of the bag that he and Mendoza will be teammates.
“Honestly, I don’t want to start unless I’m the best option,“Cousins said on the April 8 edition of “Good Morning Football.”“I told Klint the best players should play. As long as that’s the case, I have no qualms with however it plays out. I do think Fernando is going to be a great addition to our team.
“He’s going to have a great future in the league. I have no problem being a voice in the room to help him to the degree that I can. He’s going to have great support all around him from the coaching staff. Being able to watch a veteran quarterback go through his habits, routines, and process can be a great asset for him.”
Fernando Mendoza Gets Compelling QB Comparison
Moreover, ESPN NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. gave an NFL quarterback comparison for Mendoza, and if he is accurate, it would allow Las Vegas to have a guy who can help them challenge for Super Bowls in the future.
“I think what you look at with Fernando is a cross between Peyton Manning and Matt Ryan, “Kiper said during an April 7 appearance on ESPN Radio. “I’m not a comp guy, because we always comp them to the great guys, but yeah, I see a little Peyton in him. I see a little Matt Ryan in him.
“And keep in mind, people think he’s a one-year wonder. He’s not. At Cal, he was a really good quarterback behind a bad offensive line. That’s why he was sacked 41 times. He knew he had to get the ball out quicker, and he improved on that number dramatically at Indiana when he got a little bit more help.”