Ex-Raiders coach Josh McDaniels is a distant memory in Las Vegas, and the so-called “Patriot way” is a thing of the past as well. Led by interim coach Antonio Pierce, the Raiders are finding their own identity once again.
But what exactly will the Raiders’ identity be going forward? Under coach Pierce, specifically?
Talking to reporters on Wednesday, the Raiders’ new leader described precisely what he wants to see on gamedays and what he wants football fans to notice about his team.
“First and foremost, just a mentally tough team,” Pierce said. “A team that you see out there saying ‘damn, that’s how football is supposed to be played.’ Running the ball, stopping the run, having fun, doing it as a team.”
That Pierce highlighted the run game on both sides of the ball should be music to the ears of Raiders fans. The passing game has grown in importance in the NFL for decades but come playoff time, running on offense and stopping the run on defense is key. Plus, unless a team has a superstar signal caller, rushing yards are essential to setting up passing plays.
“More importantly, the love and passion for the game,” Pierce continued. “I hope that if you never get to come to one of our games in the stadium, when you watch on television, you’re like ‘damn, them dudes love ball. They love playing for one another.’ If I can get that, I’ve accomplished one of my goals.”
Judging from the Raiders’ dramatic turnaround in their win against the Giants last week, Pierce is an expert motivator. It’s clear he loves football more than nearly anything else in life. Thus far, his team has mirrored that aspect of Pierce’s personality.
The “Raiders way” under Pierce is just beginning to take form, however, and there’s much work to do before football fans look at the Raiders with the sense of awe that Pierce describes.
Luckily for Pierce and his squad, they have the perfect opportunity to display newfound passion for the game when play on national television against the Jets on Sunday night, as they attempt to even their record at 5-5 and play their own brand of football.
