With the Giants win on Sunday, the Raiders secured the no. 1 pick in the draft, and the expectation is that they will keep the pick and use it on a quarterback.
There is still more than three months until the draft, but Raiders GM John Spytek may have offered a little confirmation on Monday that his intention is to use the first pick on a quarterback. Speaking with members of the media at his end of season press conference, Spytek was asked about the impact a new head coach and a first-overall draft pick can have on an organization.
With no mention in the question of a quarterback, Spytek’s answer seemed to offer a little insight into his mindset on the pick.
“Are there two more important hires in an organization than a quarterback and a head coach? I think we all would agree that those two men usually steer the ship and that’s out in front of us right now,” Spytek answered.
It might be reading into Spytek’s comments a little more than he would prefer, but if the head coach and quarterback are the two men who usually steer the ship, it’s fair to wonder what he thought about the efforts of Pete Carroll and Geno Smith this year.
There have been rumblings in recent days that Spytek wasn’t the final decision maker on the hiring of Carroll, and Carroll said himself that Smith was the quarterback he wanted in Las Vegas from the day he took the job.
”I was trying to get that done from the moment this thing happened. I was hoping we could do something [to get Geno Smith],” Carroll said in May.
“Geno was a backup for all those years… so there was a lot of times where we had to do stuff together to keep him going and he was keeping me going , but I was keeping him going. What he demonstrated to me [was] this remarkable connection in spirit to be ready knowing that the very next play he may be in the game. He never forgot that. His resolve about that I thought was so exceptional that when he got his turn I was thrilled for him…”
“This opportunity [came] up and we needed a quarterback. Really, it was a classic opportunity for us to really transition to a quarterback and a coach that see eye to eye on everything. Geno has killed it here. He’s been such a factor. The leadership he brings, his work ethic, the mentality his brings, it’s been a fantastic assistance to turning this thing over.”
As far as which quarterback the Raiders are expected to take with the no. 1 pick, that debate will rage until the end of April.
Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is the hottest name in college football right now, but he still has his doubters.
It’s not an opinion that matters, but sports and culture host Bomani Jones has already identified Mendoza as a player unworthy of the first overall pick.
“I got people asking me [about] Fernando Mendoza. Is he what the Raiders need and I watched Mendoza. We’ll talk a little bit more about that game, and Mendoza looks like something I’ve seen very many times, which is a very good college quarterback,” Jones said on The Right Time with Bomani Jones.
“I know what the no. 1 pick in the draft look like. That ain’t it. Even if you think Cam Ward’s not going to be that guy, you look at Cam Ward with the Titans and you’re like ‘That guy was the no. 1 pick in the draft.’ You see that.”
“Mendoza? Eww. I don’t know.”
x: @raidersbeat
Dumb comment from Bomani. Not even a criticism one can consider, just “he doesn’t look like” a first overall pick. What does a first overall pick look like, Bomani? Rocket arm? Runs like a RB? Because we’ve seen tons of guys like that fail in the NFL.
Mendoza’s physical skill may not be eye popping compared to a Cam Ward, but they are more than adequate. It’s his mental approach that gives him an edge, and if you think that won’t resonate with Brady of all people, you’re mistaken.
This is what drives me crazy with so many people about what QB they deem to be “worthy” or not. They look at the best athletes who happen to play QB, not the best QB’s who play the game from an intellectual place. I remember so many fans saying we needed to draft Anthony Richardson or Will Levis, almost forgot his name. I bet those same fans are glad we didn’t draft ither of them now. I’d much rather have the QB who isn’t as athletic, but understands the mental side of the game like a Peyton Manning and Brady.
Moore is more than Mendoza! I’ll always take Moore!
I like Moore but I value Bomani’s opinion as much as I value Brady’s new girlfriend opinion
Why is he basically comparing Cam to Mendoza…when they’re 2 totally different style QBs. I guess cause Mendoza ain’t as athletic that means he’s not worthy of being the 1st overall pick. But he can make all the throws has a high football IQ and is accurate. We’ll get to no more about Mendoza thru out this off-season and at the combine. I trust Spytek and Brady to get it right more than I trust a D grade nobody podcaster…who couldn’t even make it on ESPN. So yeah Bomani your opinion amounts to ish to most ppl.
Neither of them are worth the first pick in the draft! You seem to be missing that point all of you. Like taking Jeantty at 6 and making him the second highest paid running back in the NFL before he even played it down.
Absurdity.
There’s far more to a pick then just what he is and what he’s projected amongst other prospects.
You know? Like fitting a round peg in a square hole. Errrrrrrr duhhhh