The Raiders fell to 2-9 with Sunday’s loss to the Broncos and questions are getting more complicated for the players and coaches to answer each week.
On Monday, head coach Antonio Pierce was asked for his thoughts on the rest of the AFC West, and his answer circled back to what he perceives to be the biggest issue with the Raiders.
“They’re winning,” Pierce answered with a smile.
From there, Pierce pivoted into a series of comments about the team’s quarterback play.
“Quarterback play. Bottom line. quarterback play,” Pierce continued. “Last night [we faced] a rookie quarterback and we were bringing the house at him. Very first play of the game we came after him. At the end of the game, we was coming after him. The did never flinched. [He] didn’t blink. You watch Patrick Mahomes there yesterday… it’s 27-27, he’s running the ball like he’s running out of bounds, steps up and goes another 20 yards. And then you look at Justin Herbert. The quarterback play with the other three teams, to me, is the biggest difference.”
Pierce’s comments weren’t necessarily untrue, but coaches generally try to avoid pointing to a player or group of players with a statement like that.
To this point in the season, Pierce has done a masterful job of keeping the locker room together, despite the team’s record, but it’s hard to imagine his recent comments have been well-received by everyone in the building.
After Sunday’s game, Pierce was asked by The Athletic‘s Vic Tafur if the Raiders should have gotten the running game going more against the Broncos, and Pierce didn’t hold back on that answer, either.
“Of course. I don’t want to see the ball thrown 40 times,” Pierce said. “I’ve said that like a thousand times, but that been kind of our MO. Actually, it was 53 [pass attempts] today.”
It’s possible that Pierce knows what he’s doing with his recent criticisms in the media, but he’s definitely getting closer to crossing the line than most head coaches are willing to get.
x: @raidersbeat
All i heard is, I suck as a HC in the NFL and refuse to acknowledge it. The rest was blah, blah, blah.
Hey MD, let Brady find you a REAL HC.
Can’t say I agree with Coach Pierce’s assessment as to why the Raiders are losing. The lack of a good running game is the real culprit. It’s the reason why we are having so much trouble getting into the endzone when were close to the goal line. Also, the lousy coordinators, who are no longer on the staff. Minshew never had a problem with turnovers until he came to the Raiders. Something else is wrong.
Agreed.
Captain Excuse
Time for Antonio to pack his belongings and go
IF Maxx is butt hurt over losing this substandard coach he can pack his belongings and join him
Raiders must protect the franchise not bow down to 2 clowns who never won a playoff game
Those actions would require a competent owner, Mark is a weak owner.
Just MAYBE a better HC would remedy some of the team’s issues?! ONLY the Raiders would have hired Pierce, as he wasn’t on any other team’s radar for DC much less as a HC candidate. The other AFC West teams have a big advantage over the Raiders when it comes to the HC position.
Telesco and Davis are to blame for the Josh Jacobs exit. Seems like he’s enjoying himself in GB and doing well. Also Telesco and Davis fault for not acquiring a good quarterback. Not really sure what Telesco does there but it’s not good. Maybe he needs to exit. Push him out Tom, he is doing nothing good. Put the other guy in who was a candidate and a close friend of AP. If you do fire AP which was not his fault hire Vrabel. He is a no nonsense type of coach and will get in your face including Dutch boy and clueless Telesco.
So, I agree with coach. Quarterback have a strong history. The Raider’s haven’t had a solid Quarterback starter for many years. I remember Ken Stabler was a good qb. However Raider’s haven’t really had another one since his retirement. Without disrespecting other raiders qb like Rich Gannon who played well also but didn’t win superbowl or Derek Carr .Again I agree with coach quarterback is a major factor in the losses this season so far unless they improve at that position they will continue to lose games.
Stabler and Madden only won one SB, while Plunkett/Flores were more successful in bring home SB titles as they won two together.
Well u got 2 quarterbacks on ir and we can’t run the ball.The offensive line is Horrific.Thats the real problem.
Telesco addressed the OL need by spending the 2nd and 3rd round picks to shore up that area. The mistake was in resigning the center, Andre James isn’t the answer at center. Plus Miller’s play, at LT, has been disappointing.
AP, you’re the problem and reason why the Raiders are horrible, period..
Just resign go away for a long time.
I wish we had Josh McDaniels back
This HC didn’t deserve the job