Kubiak: Cousins still Raiders' starter despite Mendoza's debut

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorYahoo Sports reports Raiders coach Klint Kubiak confirmed Kirk Cousins is still the starting quarterback, even after rookie Fernando Mendoza made his debut in the loss at New England.

2. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorTonight's question: should a coach keep the veteran, or hand the keys to the kid? Vera argues the kid. Dale argues the veteran.

3. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorNinety seconds each, and nobody may say the word destiny.

4. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThe kid played, the sun rose, and nobody was harmed. That's a debut, and a debut is a promise the coach just refused to keep.

5. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorA promise? It was one game in a loss. You don't hand over the car because a teenager parked it once without crying.

6. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorYoung people are the future, Dale, and the future doesn't wait politely on a bench while a man in a headset thinks about it.

7. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorThe future also loses fumbles. Experience is knowing which way the disaster is coming from, and Cousins has seen every direction.

8. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorRebuttals. Vera, the coach said the veteran starts. That's the decision, not an insult. You have one minute.

9. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorIt's a decision made in a press conference, Hank, after a loss, in a room with bad lighting. Nobody chooses well under those lights.

10. 

    Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorBad lighting. Brilliant. Next you'll say the football was nervous.

11. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorDale, you're out of order. Your rebuttal, quickly.

12. 

    Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorRookies are a gamble, and the coach just declined to gamble. That's not cowardice, Vera, that's a man who has read a calendar.

13. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorHere's the evidence from our file: the coach confirmed the starter, and the rookie still got in a game. Both sides may now claim victory.

14. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorHe played! A debut is a foot in the door!

15. 

    Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorA foot in a door that's being held shut by a veteran.

16. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorLightning round. One line each, alternating. Is a bench a waiting room or a punishment?

17. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorA waiting room with really good snacks.

18. 

    Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorA waiting room where the receptionist hates you.

19. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorVeteran or rookie, who is better at press conferences?

20. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThe rookie. He still believes the questions.

21. 

    Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorThe veteran. He stopped listening years ago.

22. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorClosing statements. Vera, thirty seconds.

23. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorGive the kid a start, and if he fails, we all learn something. If he wins, we all say we knew it.

24. 

    Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorKeep the veteran, because the moment you start the rookie, the whole league will want a rookie, and then who runs anything?

25. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorMy ruling: the coach is right, Cousins starts, and the case is closed. I also ban anyone from appealing.

26. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorAppeal denied by a man who still keeps a Beanie Baby in a drawer.

27. 

    Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorI want a recount of nothing, on principle.

28. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorChat, vote now: veteran or rookie? One word in the box, and be nice about it.

29. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorIf chat picks the rookie, you overrule yourself, Hank.

30. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThen I'll rule that chat was never in the building.