Cigar smoke wafted from the Raiders’ locker room after Sunday’s 30-6 win over the Giants, but Antonio Pierce was a breath of fresh air in Las Vegas this week.
Team owner Mark Davis has fired Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler after 25 games, opting to name Pierce as interim head coach and Champ Kelly as interim GM. Pierce, who is off to a 1-0 start as an NFL head coach, said Sunday. This was one of only three times he won the butterfly as a professional.
“It’s my first game in the NFL, my first Super Bowl, and my first game as a head coach,” Pierce said in a press conference. “That was special. The other special part is the history we made today. A black president. [Sandra Douglass Morgan], woman. The black general manager, Champ Kelly, and of course myself. I don’t take that for granted. Once again, I am humbled by this opportunity.
“When you look at it, whether it’s going to last forever or not, it’s just that for a moment, we had a chance. If it’s the next nine games or so, let’s just leave it at that. But it was very humbling.”
As a Super Bowl-winning linebacker, Pierce was known for his physicality and leadership. Pierce said he felt the Raiders showed the physicality and rawness he wants his team to embody on Sunday.
“I don’t need to talk about it. If you watched the game, I think that’s just it,” Pierce said. “I think it starts up front, it starts with the O-line and the D-line. It’s the mentality. It’s about taking someone’s will and teeing off like we saw the quarterback take eight sacks. . It is closely related.
“Listen, there’s a lot of great teams out there that have somebody up front on both sides that puts fear in their hearts, but they’ve got to get it back, and obviously the linebackers and other guys. More importantly, this is a great team win. This is a great win for Raider Nation, the fans, the players and the organization. I am proud to have had the opportunity to coach these gentlemen. , I plan to teach next week as well.”
Currently at 4-5, the Raiders host the Jets the next day. sunday night football Week 10.