Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza didn't have his best performance against the Houston Texans in the second preseason game. But he displayed incredible fortitude in the face of a bloodthirsty Texans defense, and Mendoza overcame a lot of obstacles in the contest.
Of course, though, Mendoza kept things in perspective. He maintained a great attitude on the sideline and was engaged throughout the game, providing energy in the comeback win. And after the match, he spoke to the media with the grace and outlook of a seasoned veteran.
But if you missed his post-game press conference, don't have the time to listen or simply enjoy reading more than listening, then we've got you covered. As we did with Klint Kubiak and with Mendoza last week, here is everything that the Raiders' young quarterback said after the game.
Everything Raiders' Fernando Mendoza said after bumpy showing vs. Texans
When asked about his performance:
“I thought the game was fantastic because we won. At the end of the day, the win is all that matters and we did a great job there on offense and defense playing complementary football in the fourth quarter to dig us out of some mistakes and we ended up winning the game.”
On his interception:
“Yes. It was a play action play and went through my progression. Probably should have checked it down to the flat. Saw the flat player and at that point, I started backing up and threw the checkdown to Mike Washington and it was not a good throw. We weren't on the same page, and it was an interception.”
When asked what he learned during joint practice and this preseason game:
“I came away that there's a lot more learning to do and that although that maybe you had a lot of success at another level, this level is a whole step further and the margins are so small and that one tiny mistake can lead to catastrophe, so I want to make sure that I best serve my teammates and get better from these experiences.”
On his mindset that he "doesn't want any plays back" because they are all learning experiences:
“Yeah, because it's reality, not to get any of those plays back. All you can do is look forward. The only thing I can control at this moment on this podium talking to you is controlling my next play. So, whatever the next play in practice, when we practice next, whether it's the first play I get to play against San Francisco, it's controlling the next play.”
When asked if trying to capitalize on the momentum the team had led to his interception:
“Yeah, I thought it was great momentum. I thought [WR] Jalen [Nailor] made a great catch and the offensive line blocked fantastic and pretty sure [RB Mike [Washington Jr.] -- almost 100% sure it was Mike -- Mike had a great one there on the draw play. Those are two explosive players. At the end of the day, just got to get the ball to your play makers. I don't think I was pushing the NFL because it was a checkdown. If it was a deep shot maybe. But we're not on the same page on the checkdown. Things happen like that. I got to be better for my teammates next time.”
On being the starter and if he knew or how he prepared:
“Yeah. I wouldn't say that it changed my prep at all because whether it was this week or last week I think I got the same amount of playing time and that was the plan going into these games. [Raiders Head] Coach [Klint] Kubiak outlined for the team what the plan was going with to be with the starters, essentially week one, two, and three of the preseason to keep it internally and that was something that I knew going into the game. It was going to be a great experience, first start in the NFL preseason which is always the next step, however, my preparation, I always try to prepare like the starter each and every week.”
When asked if he still felt nervous this week:
“I would say I would classify jitters as over the top. Evidently, you're always feeling your nervous system activating, however, today I thought I saw it very well and evidently there was one unfortunate play, but even that play I thought I saw it well, just didn't make the right throw. So, I thought I saw it well. I was calm overall. All you can do is respond and play the next play. But, yes, overall I felt more composed.”
On Mike Washington Jr.:
“[RB] Mike [Washington Jr.] is evidently a special back on the field and having been able to grow with him both as rookies, he's also a special player but his mentality of always wanting to get better, we both have learning growing points. Being in the backfield with somebody and being able to give a little remark back and forth, have that great communication whether it's about protection, the play, just mentality on how to lead the offense, he's a great guy. All the running backs, I'm so fortunate and grateful to be sharing the backfield with them.”
When asked if Thursday's game is a strong marker for where this team is:
“That's honestly a question for [Raiders Head] Coach [Klint] Kubiak. I have such little experience in the NFL. However, I thought today was a great learning experience and I thought it was great because we got the win. However, yeah.”
On helping coach Klint Kubiak earn his first victory:
“Coach Kubiak is a great leader of men. You can see that by his response, and I think it was great of out team to have that resilience and it comes from the coaches. It comes from the players. It comes from just the entire organization. I think it was an amazing group effort.”
When asked about his sideline interaction with Maxx Crosby following his interception:
“Maxx is a great team captain and a great team leader. He's always encouraging for that resilience because adversity is going to happen and him just saying -- I don't want to put words in his mouth but it was something along the lines of, hey, we got your back, let's go, next play. Just to push the page, move forward and to hear that from a team captain is very inspiring.”
On handling the Texans' defensive pressure:
“Yeah. I think, well, first it's always trusting the offensive line and having that communication with the offensive line. They need to trust you to make the right checks, and we need to trust them to protect, which they do a fantastic job at. Also, for me to work on my pocket movement. [Raiders Head] Coach [Klint] Kubiak, [Offensive Coordinator] Coach [Andrew] Janocko and [Quarterbackers] Coach [Mike] Sullivan, we've identified that I need to work on my pocket movement a little bit, maybe stepping up in the pocket, maybe stepping side to side to gain a little bit more time and try to best serve my teammates and offensive linemen.”
Add us as a preferred source on Google