The Las Vegas Raiders are 2-1 since ousting former head coach Josh McDaniels and bringing in Antonio Pierce in the interim role for the remainder of the season. Pierce quickly garnered a fanbase within the Raiders organization, including from star players like Davante Adams.
But the respect and admiration for Pierce goes beyond the locker room, as Raiders legend Howie Long also has kind words for the Raiders new signal-caller. Long, the Hall of Famer who spent his entire 13-year career with the Raiders, has seen it all with this tumultuous franchise and sees a lot of good with how Pierce is running the team.
He spoke about Pierce’s work thus far and how it reminds him of the type of galvanizing effort led by Rich Bisaccia when he took over as the interim head coach two seasons ago via “The Up and Adams Show” with Kay Adams:
“Love him and love his story. Time will tell. His eyes are wide open in terms of it’s an opportunity, and I think the Rich Bisaccia situation a couple of years ago when they got into the playoffs and surprised some people. He closed out the year really well and it seemed like he had a grasp of who the team was. There was an identity and a culture, and I think Mark (Davis) learned something from that. To sit back and say let’s do our homework on people outside the building, but let’s take a look at what Antonio does. He grew up in Compton when I was playing at the Coliseum. He was a big Raiders fan, he understands the history, he understands the identity of the football team, and I think when you walk out of a room with Antonio Pierce, you’re not going to have any kind of misconception about what his thoughts are or what his expectations are. He will tell you directly. Sometimes it’s the guy in the front of the room, can they lead, create a culture and an identity? I think he can do those things.”
A vote of confidence from Long could go a long way for Pierce, who may be vying for the full-time job this offseason. Long certainly supports Pierce being hired after the team allowed Bisaccia to walk two years ago.
Pierce may not have enough of a runway to make a postseason push. But even if he can keep the Raiders competitive down the stretch, he’ll have earned a real opportunity to interview for the head coach position.
Jets may look to trade for Adams again
Adams hasn’t won many games during his time in Las Vegas, and it sounds like the New York Jets are going to try and pry him away again this offseason via Adam Schefter of ESPN:
“The Jets inquired about reuniting Las Vegas Raiders Pro Bowl wide receiver Davante Adams with Aaron Rodgers before last month’s trade deadline, only to be quickly rebuffed.
But the Jets might not be willing to take no for an answer, as sources around the NFL expect that New York will pursue Adams again this offseason.
‘That will happen,’ one source told ESPN. ‘I think so.’
