GOOD NEWS:Under Pierce, the Raiders Made Improvements in Several Areas.
This season, the Las Vegas Raiders had a talented club entering almost every starting position on the football field. They brought back Josh Jacobs, their top rusher from the previous campaign. The Raiders were more than a competent offense since they possessed an All-Pro receiver in Davante Adams and a seasoned quarterback who was acquainted with the former coaching staff in Las Vegas.
With the signing of Marcus Epps, a veteran from the Philadelphia Eagles, the NFC Champions from the previous season, they were able to bolster their developing defensive backfield. a defensive line that included defensive end Tyree Wilson, a recent addition and top overall pick, and veteran Maxx Crosby. Robert Spillane, a linebacker who was undoubtedly among the best in the AFC, if not the entire National Football League, was also added by Las Vegas.
Even still, Josh McDaniels, the former head coach, caused the Raiders to suffer as a team. Following back-to-back heartbreaking defeats by the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears, Mark Davis and the Raiders made the decision to fire McDaniels, offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi, and general manager Dave Ziegler. Champ Kelly, Bo Hardegree, and Antonio Pierce took their places.
Under Pierce, the Raiders defense, which had already shown improvement, improved even more once Pierce was promoted from linebacker coach to interim head coach. Under McDaniels, the Raiders’ defense allowed just over 23 points per game; under Pierce, that dropped to 16 points per game.
Still, there was more to the Raiders’ improvement than their defense. Under McDaniels’ direction, the Raiders had a 3-5 record after eight games this season, averaging about 16 points per game with a group assembled by McDaniels and an offensive scheme he designed. The Raiders had a 5-4 record in Pierce’s first nine games as head coach, two losses that they could have won if a few plays had gone differently, and a rookie quarterback.
Under Pierce, the offense averaged 22.9 points per game, almost a score more than it did under McDaniels. This came after the Raiders offense, playing under head coach Josh McDaniels, had just once failed to score more than 20 points in an eight-game season.
The Raiders’ decision to go with Pierce paid off in a number of ways for the group. Pierce’s influence extended beyond the locker room; improving communication within the locker room was the first step toward increased output on the field. As the upcoming season draws near, the Raiders aim to advance even further.
