Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza meets Tom Brady every session. They sit, review tape, 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 saying the play aloud and of snapping the ball on deep throws. In practice they repeat the same drill over and over. The Raiders staff observes the sessions.
They say Mendoza’s reads are sharper and his release is quicker. Mendoza believes the nightly advice could define his future.