HENDERSON, Nev. -- The Las Vegas Raiders' first overall pick, Fernando Mendoza, said he has learned a lot over the last two days of rookie minicamp, adding that information has been coming in like a "firehose."
"I'm just trying to take it all in to get better every single day, pay attention to detail, and [connect] with the teammates," Mendoza said after Saturday's practice. "It's so great. Rookie camp, all coming together as an offense, defense, special teams [and] as a team together to have core coherent practices so it can all get better at football."
During the media viewing period of practice, Mendoza primarily took snaps under center -- which is what he is expected to do in coach Klint Kubiak's offensive scheme. Mendoza said he "still has a long way to go" to learn how to play under center after operating mostly in shotgun formation at California and Indiana.
In three seasons (two at Cal and one at Indiana), Mendoza took five snaps under center. He mentioned that the added footwork has been the biggest adjustment to playing under center over the last two days.
"Instead of being back there in shotgun, we have to get back to make sure you best serve your offensive linemen, still be on time [and] still decipher the defense," Mendoza said. "And with that, actually having an emphasis on those first two steps, on securing the snap and getting out of there, and [being] powerful with having quick feet."