The Raiders believe they have found a franchise quarterback in Fernando Mendoza and based on the talk out of training camp in recent weeks, it sounds like they have found a young receiver connection for Mendoza, too.
Raider Nation Radio host Q Myers talked about rookie wide receiver Malik Benson his podcast on Monday and said the chemistry between Mendoza and Benson continues to build “very quickly.”
“As much as I talk about Brock Bowers is always open, I’m never surprised when I see a Fernando Mendoza to Malik Benson pass. I’m never surprised anymore. That just looks like a connection and a chemistry that is really, really building very quickly, and you saw Benson on Sunday working with the 1s and the 2s,” Myers said on the Locked on Raiders podcast.
But as Benson continues to rise up the depth chart, one of last year’s draft picks seems to be slipping into a precarious position on the wide receiver depth chart.
Dont’e Thornton sliding down the Raiders’ depth chart?
A year ago, it was Dont’e Thornton hoarding the wide receiver praise at training camp, but the second-year wideout hasn’t been able to stay healthy this year, and some media personalities covering the team have hinted that he isn’t a lock to make the final roster.
Last week, Sports Illustrated insider Hondo Carpenter said Thornton could end up being a candidate for injured reserve, but if that doesn’t happen, Myers still thinks Thornton is a safe bet to make the final roster.
“Dont’e Thornton Jr needs to be out there and start working on that chemistry and establishing his spot,” Myers said of the former University of Tennessee speedster.
“This is a guy that I don’t think is going to not make the squad, but… where is he going to be on the depth chart when he does come back? Whenever he comes back from injury, because he has missed a handful of practices now. So that’s not going to bode well for him. Again, I don’t think there’s any chance that he doesn’t make the squad. But how far down the depth chart is he dropping?”
What might not be ideal for Thornton is the fact that Klint Kubiak wasn’t the head coach who drafted him, but GM John Spytek might be inclined to have a little more patience with Thornton considering he drafted Thornton in the fourth round of last year’s draft.
Or was it Pete Carroll who wanted to draft Thornton a year ago?
It has been reported that Spytek and Carroll didn’t agree on some of the picks in last year’s draft class… and it would be interesting to know who Thornton’s biggest supporters in the building were a year ago.
x: @raidersbeat
Then trade O’Connell and let him realize just how good he can be. And clueless raider fans will find out what they were sitting on for so many years.
Aiden is a great guy but he’s not a starter. He can make a living out of being a backup
I’d love to hear what your reasoning is behind that? Five different OC’s in four years. Atrocious offensive line play. Which resulted in no support from a run game. And if you wanna look at what he did against the Cardinals, he was under pressure every time he dropped back thrown in there with garbage again. Two balls went right through the hands of Dorsett. There was a non-passing interference call that would’ve resulted in a touchdown when he side stepped pressure in the pocket and threw over the top. I just don’t get where people like you can’t see the ability that’s obviously there. It boggles the mind. But the same people will come out and wholeheartedly embrace somebody like Mendoza, who has nothing to claim at the pro level.
Thornton is tall and fast, but he doesn’t highpoint the ball. He doesn’t track the ball very well and has no clue how to body the defender to gain position. His only hope is that he is wide open with a perfect pass. I was not impressed last year.
He even dropped some of those balls that were walk-in touchdowns. It almost seems like he’s hoping to get released. Because he will most certainly get resigned somewhere else. See if you can get a seventh round pick form or cut him loose
Kirk Cousins will be gone next year, that’s a fact. Anyone who has watched any pre season game knows that all the defenses, in the NFL, are younger and faster and head hunting all quarterbacks, league wide. God forbid that any Raiders quarterback should go down to injury, this season. However, should an injury occur to any Raiders quarterback, Raiders management should realize that even IF this current iteration of the Raiders offensive line provide adequate protection, for it’s quarterbacks, AOC IS NOT a viable, and certainly NOT a mobile option. IMO, SERIOUS consideration should be given to adding a mobile option at this position not only for this season but also beyond.
While I am absolutely certain that ALL Raiders fans believe that solidifying the offensive line should be the Raiders NUMBER 1 concern, I can also believe that signing a quality, young, mobile backup quarterback should be a high priority, as well. I suggest that Raiders management should seriously consider pursuing a trade, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, for undrafted free agent quarterback Kansas product Jalon Daniels. This young man is not only mobile but also accurate, relatively cheap and an exponential upgrade over AOC. If, as Al Davis once said, “The greatness of the Raiders is their future…” then Raiders management needs to realize that AOC has NO PART in said future and move on from him.
At some point, in the upcoming season, EVERY quarterback will have to run to escape defensive pressure. If ANY Raiders fan has watched AOC, they know that this young man has ZERO escape ability. One phrase that has NEVER been used or attributed to AOC’s quarterbacking is “fleet of foot.” There IS NOT a Raiders fan alive that does not believe that this year’s Raiders offensive line is not a “work in progress”. This sentiment is universal league wide. To state the obvious, the Raiders had the absolute WORSE offensive line, in the league, last year. That is a fact and even the most optimistic Raiders fan CAN’T believe that this year’s offensive line will go from worst to best, in one off season. While the Raiders last year’s third string quarterback Kenny Pickett’s passing left much to be desired, the ONE THING that he did do well was run to escape defensive pressure. AOC, not so much, EVER.
I’ve been a Raiders fan since 1968 and absolutely want to see the Raiders do well. However, in order to accomplish this task, some upgrades are in order, at multiple positions. We all know, as the old adage says that; “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” However, it was built brick by brick. There are 31 other teams trying to improve as well and it would bode well for Raiders management to take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves, ie. brick by brick.