Raiders legend Tom Flores shares advice for Klint Kubiak, Fernando Mendoza

Numerous reports have indicated that first-year Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak will eventually name veteran and free-agency signing Kirk Cousins the team's Week 1 starting quarterback over rookie and No. 1 overall draft choice Fernando Mendoza.

For a piece published on Monday, Hondo Carpenter of Sports Illustrated spoke with Raiders legend and Hall of Famer Tom Flores about the club's current coach and its potential franchise savior. During that chat, Flores offered Kubiak some advice about how to handle Mendoza over the next half a year or so. 

Raiders should not give Fernando Mendoza "more than he can handle" as a rookie

"Don’t overload his [Mendoza’s] plate," Flores said. "Don’t give him more than he can handle. It is going to be hard as a coach knowing what he can do, and what you want to do, but he might not be there yet. He has to learn the game, and you can’t rush it. It won’t be easy, but knowing when to back off and let him grow." 

By all accounts, Kubiak is already going down such a road. As recently as Monday, Ryan McFadden of ESPN noted that "the Raiders don't feel like they need to rush Mendoza," who "had his fair share of growing pains, especially when playing under center, and mastering the footwork that comes with it" during springtime workouts. 

Fernando Mendoza must remember not to "do more" than what is asked of him

It remains to be seen how long Cousins will stay atop the Raiders' depth chart, especially if the team loses more than it wins from Week 1 through the middle of October. Meanwhile, Flores also shared advice for how Mendoza can potentially become as good as advertised. 

"You got a great young coach," Flores said about Mendoza. "Do what they ask and don’t overdo it because the players will want you to. This is pro football. You aren’t going to make it all fast. Do what you are asked to do, and don’t try to do more. ...Don’t let others try to take advantage of your youth. Keep your friend group small and protect yourself. Trust those you trusted before people started throwing money at you, and stay in love with the game. Listen." 

If nothing else, having Raiders minority owner and future Hall of Famer Tom Brady as a mentor should help keep Mendoza grounded and focused on developing as both a player and a pro.