AI Summary
5 min readHour 1 - Not Ready Yet
The Ben Maller Show opens with a detailed argument about why the Las Vegas Raiders should not start rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza in Week 1 of the NFL season. The central thesis is clear: letting a rookie quarterback begin the season on the bench, then take over later, is the smarter long-term strategy for a rebuilding team—and the Raiders have a recent template to follow.
The Case Against Starting Mendoza Week 1
Maller lays out multiple reasons why starting Mendoza immediately would be a mistake. First, Mendoza is still adjusting to pro-style offense. In college, he took only 3% of his snaps under center; last year, NFL quarterbacks averaged about 35% under center. "This is a whole different thing for Mendoza," Maller says. "He's learning on the job." The speed of the NFL game is also a factor: "Most rookies are just treading water. Most rookies are just trying to keep their head from going under."
The Raiders' early schedule is brutal. Their first seven games include the Chargers, Saints, Chiefs, Patriots, Bills, and Rams—a gauntlet that could bury a rookie before he finds his footing. "The last thing you want to do is have that balloon popped immediately," Maller argues. Mendoza is supposed to symbolize hope for the franchise, and starting him against tough opponents risks crushing that optimism before it has a chance to grow.
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What you'll learn
- 1 (03:43) **Host Sets Up the Night's Agenda** - Ben Maller welcomes the audience, mentions co-hosts Lorena and Coop, and previews a Vegas meet-and-greet.
- 2 (04:55) **Fernando Mendoza's Preseason Struggles** - Maller argues that Mendoza's poor second preseason game (7/14, one INT) proves the Raiders are right to start Kirk Cousins in Week 1.
- 3 (06:13) **Why Rookies Should Not Start Week 1** - Key argument: starting a rookie in Week 1 risks drowning them in the speed of the game, popping the "balloon of hope" immediately with early losses.
- 4 (07:28) **The Brutal First Seven Games** - Maller points out the Raiders' tough early schedule (at Chargers, at Saints, Chiefs, at Patriots, Bills, Rams) as a reason to avoid a soft launch for Mendoza.
- 5 (08:00) **The Worst-Case Scenario: Benching the Top Pick** - Host argues the ultimate disaster is having to bench the No. 1 overall pick early, which destroys his confidence and the team's narrative.
- 6 (08:40) **The Tyler Shook Parallel** - Maller draws a direct comparison to the Saints' 2024 season: Shook didn't start until Week 9, went 5-4, and is now viewed as an MVP candidate, proving the "delayed start" works.
- 7 (10:50) **The Goal is Confidence, Not Wins** - The Raiders' season isn't about playoffs; it's about Mendoza showing positive signs by mid-season, just like Shook did.
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Guests on this episode
Show Notes
Brian Noe is in for Ben Maller and talks about another lackluster performance from Raiders #1 overall draft pick QB Fernando Mendoza in a preseason loss to the 49ers, the best "I was there" moments in sports, too much car automation, and more!
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