Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza meets Tom Brady every night. They take a seat, watch film, and talk. Brady draws on his experience coaching Peyton Manning to show Mendoza how to read a defense. He points out Manning’s habit of verbalizing the play and of tightening the spiral on deep throws. In practice they run the same drill repeatedly. The Raiders staff watches the sessions.
They say Mendoza’s reads are sharper and his release is faster. Mendoza believes the daily guidance could shape his entire career.