00:00As far as this decision, you and I have talked about this. I think it's the right one for the
00:04Raiders. And, you know, I look, I don't think I think we talk about opponents and games more than other
00:12teams internally do. But I would guess behind closed doors, Joe, the Raiders are saying to themselves, listen, we're not
00:21great. You know, we're not a great team. We're not amazing. We understand that.
00:25But guys, we play the Dolphins week one and we're at home like like this is not a game that
00:32we need to put Fernando Mendoza in. And if he craps the bed, we're already 0-1 and we're embarrassed
00:39for like six weeks losing to the worst team in the NFL. Let's put Kirk in there. Kirk should be
00:45able to win us this game and manage the game. And then, you know, let's reassess things week two, week
00:50three. I'm a big fan of the idea. I think it's the right call. Fernando Mendoza is going to play
00:5410 years.
00:55If not more, get to play 10 games this season, if not more with the Raiders. But why rush the
01:02quarterbacks? It's constantly failing in the National Football League. They put the guy in immediately. He's getting sacked 10 times.
01:10The psyche is out. I mean, it's ruining guys in the league, Joe. And so I think the Raiders are
01:16absolutely doing the right thing.
01:17I think that there's a definitive chance for me that Mendoza starts by week three, maybe even week two. Yes,
01:26I think that these are all possible. But give the kid a few more weeks. Let him watch Kirk Cousins,
01:32how he prepares for week one. Let Mendoza be on the sidelines. Put the headset on. Listen to the signals.
01:38I mean, isn't this the way that it should be done, Joe? Why is everybody in a rush for everything?
01:42So finally, I applaud a Raiders move. Haven't applauded a lot in the last 10 years, but I think this
01:47is one of them.
01:48Well, and I'll tell you this. If let's not forget who's involved in this as a part owner now.
01:56Oh, that's true, too. Yes.
01:57Okay. And guess who that guy is? He sat for a long time.
02:02And if you don't think Tom Brady has got influence and input there where he's not telling him he's not
02:09ready. And by the way, he's not. Nothing that we saw in the preseason from him showed me that he
02:16is ready to be a starting quarterback.
02:18So the idea that he's not starting and that somehow means the Raiders blew the pick and he's never going
02:24to be it. That's absurd. Like everyone's settled down. I'm looking at the schedule here. Miami, you mentioned at home,
02:30right? Then they have the Chargers on the road.
02:33They're going to have New Orleans. Right. And they're going to lose the next two. And they've got a very
02:38good shot against New Orleans. So they probably do after the first three games.
02:43Two and one, maybe. New Orleans? I don't think the Raiders are. Look, maybe two and one. I only think
02:51the only guarantee is Miami. I don't think. I think. Okay. I think the Saints are much better than the
02:57Dolphins because I just think the Dolphins are in a class by themselves, man.
03:00And I think Miami, Cleveland, and Arizona are so much worse than everybody. I think. I don't think the Saints
03:06are great, Joe, but I do think they're in a different. How about this? They're in a different tier than
03:12Miami.
03:12I don't think they're in the bottom tier. So it wouldn't shock me to see the Saints beat the Raiders.
03:16Joe, I will be shocked if the Dolphins go to Las Vegas and win week one. I will be. Based
03:22on what I just saw.
03:23They're not. With them. They're not. Cutting seven guys and adding seven guys a week before the season. They don't
03:30know the playbook. You can't even play these guys.
03:32No. I'll be shocked if they win that one.
