Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza meets Tom Brady every night. 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 verbalizing the play and of tightening the spiral on deep throws. In practice they run the same drill repeatedly. The Raiders staff monitors the sessions.
They say Mendoza’s reads are more precise and his release is quicker. Mendoza believes the nightly advice could shape his entire career.