VEGAS SPORTS REPORT: Fernando Mendoza’s Impressive Debut Raises Stakes for Raiders

One of the Las Vegas Raiders’ fastest-evolving storylines ahead of Thursday’s preseason game in Houston against the Texans is the pressure rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza is putting on starter Kirk Cousins.

The No. 1 overall draft pick by the Raiders this past April and a former Heisman Trophy winner played a quarter of the team’s opening preseason game Thursday (Aug. 13) against the Arizona Cardinals, going 10-for-16 in passing for 97 yards, a touchdown, and a very good 100.3 RTG (a quarterback passer rating, using four components: completion percentage, yards per attempt, touchdown percentage, and interception percentage) in four series on offense.

Mendoza Turns Up The Heat

Cousins, signed as a free agent in April to mentor Mendoza, and still slotted in as first on the quarterback depth chart, went 5-for-6, with a touchdown, handling the opening series. 

Mendoza showed enough that head coach Klint Kubiak and his coaching staff are now considering giving him more reps with the first-team offence in practice. 

“We’re going to put a plan together this week,” said Kubiak. “That’s something we’re talking about as a coaching staff right now. Whether it’s Aidan O’Connell, Kirk, or Fernando, I would say all three of those guys deserve first-team reps.”

Rookie Could Earn More Reps

If he starts getting more meaningful reps with the first team this week and impresses again on Thursday in Houston (Aug. 20), the question then becomes how long Cousins remains the starter.

“[Mendoza] is going to continue to get better,” said Kubiak. “I think the thing that stood out for me is we put a lot on his plate, getting ready for the preseason game [which the Cardinals won 27-14], and he went out and executed the way he does in practice. Some guys, they get to the game, things change for them, things move fast, and they freak out. He was the opposite, very calm … getting the calls in. He was seeing coverage well. I like the way he moved in the pocket, got outside and extended some plays.”

Raiders Address Run Defence

Another piece of news on the Raiders’ front: Yesterday (Aug. 15), the team signed free agent defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi, a nine-year National Football League (NFL) veteran who spent the last two seasons with the Texans.

Vegas gave up too much on the ground against the Cardinals (156 yards), so the team brought in the 318-pound run defender to plug a hole there. 

Knights Back Away From Larkin

On the Vegas Golden Knights front, a report by The Athletic’s Michael Russo said the team appears to be out of the running to acquire Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin, who asked for a trade in June.

Rather than a futures package of prospects and draft picks, the Wings are reportedly holding out for a first-line center in exchange for Larkin. That removes the Golden Knights, since they’re not giving up Jack Eichel.

Larkin, 30, had 34 goals and 67 points last season in Detroit, and carries a US$8.7 million cap hit through 2030-2031. 

Earlier this summer, online chatter revolved around the Golden Knights sending the Wings a package including blue-chip prospect Trevor Connelly, draft capital, and salary going back to Detroit. The Golden Knights saw their scoring depth depleted this season when Pavel Dorofeyev was traded to the New York Rangers. That’s why acquiring Larkin made sense.

Unless the Wings drop their asking price, the Golden Knights appear out of the running for Larkin.

NBA Expansion Race Takes Shape

Three groups appear to be leading the way, vying for a National Basketball Association (NBA) expansion franchise in Las Vegas, including one led by Golden Knights owner Bill Foley and another led by former NBA owner Jerry Colangelo. NBA great Earvin “Magic” Johnson is leading another group.

Former Disney Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bob Iger and investor Josh Kushner were also reported to be in the mix for a Vegas franchise, but this week news broke that the pair were purchasing the Los Angeles Lakers for $12.5 billion.

Dana White Gets The Call

Now for another curveball: Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) CEO Dana White revealed he had been contacted by an ownership group asking if he would be interested in joining their bid. 

“They literally reached out to me this morning about it,” he said at the UFC’s Meta Apex facility Monday (Aug. 10). “I wouldn’t say no, but I’m not saying yes either.”