QB Mendoza meets with Raiders, loves idea of Brady as mentor - ESPN

INDIANAPOLIS — Presumptive No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza is eager at the prospect of being mentored by future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady.

During his formal interview with the Las Vegas Raiders this week in Indianapolis, Mendoza said he spoke briefly on the phone with Brady, who is a minority owner of the Raiders. The former Indiana quarterback characterized the interaction as «very special» and hoped to meet Brady in person should he be drafted by Las Vegas in April.

«I mean, who hasn't admired Tom Brady?» Mendoza said Friday morning. «That opportunity would be fantastic. Tom Brady, I believe, was the greatest quarterback of all time by a wide margin and to be able to have the opportunity to be mentored by him, it would mean so much. And especially to learn, and I'm all about learning. So from day one, I got to learn a lot. It's going to be a long journey. And to potentially have a mentor like that, it'd be pretty impressive and pretty meaningful.»

While Mendoza is a heavy favorite to be selected first overall, he downplayed any guarantee of being selected by the Raiders, who own the top pick in the draft after finishing 3-14 last season.

«Well, the pick has not been selected yet,» Mendoza said. «Whatever team drafts me, I'm extremely grateful, Whether it's the number one pick or the last pick in the draft, I'd be blessed and honored to be drafted by any team and give them my all.»

Mendoza came away impressed by his interactions with the Raiders staff. During the 20-minute session, coaches went over specific plays from Mendoza's college career before having the Heisman trophy winner draw plays on the white board.

«It was a fantastic interview,» Mendoza said. «The coaching staff was in there. We went over