Raiders' Coaching Staff Putting the Pieces Together

The Las Vegas Raiders are still working on issues that come with implementing a new coaching staff. Interim Coach Antonio Pierce is ready for the challenge.

The Las Vegas Raiders enter their fourth game under Interim Coach Antonio Pierce. He has completely turned around the Raiders' locker room and the feeling around the team's facility. 

Pierce says the coaching staff as a whole is responsible for the turnaround.

“I think it starts with the coaches, understanding who our personnel is and playing to the strengths of our personnel, and then the players buying into what we're doing," Pierce said. "That's the big thing. Well, how do you buy in?

"You've got to have success. And as you start to have success as a team and as individuals, you start to believe in what the coordinator is saying or how he is setting certain things up."

Pierce, the Raiders' former linebackers coach, has liked what he's seen so far from Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham's defense. 

"Patrick Graham has done an outstanding job with that each and every week,"  Pierce said. "I think it was on full display [Sunday]. That offense is explosive. Yes, [the Miami Dolphins] got us early in the game, but think about that fourth down stop; that was huge." 

Las Vegas Raiders Interim Head Coach Antonio Pierce's coaching staff continues to grow weekly / © Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The Raiders' defense has played the best they have in recent memory. Las Vegas' defense has recorded as many turnovers through 11 games as they had last season.

"Think about the turnovers, think about limiting the running game, not getting those guys started on explosive runs that they've had," Pierce said. "No. 10 (Tyreek Hill) is difficult to stop, and we knew that was a challenge."

Pierce shared how the leaders on the team have helped in his transition.

"But when you've got guys like Robert Spillane, Marcus Epps, you've got Maxx Crosby, you've got your blue-collar guys with Jenks (John Jenkins) and Bilal [Nichols] and those guys, it all starts to come together," Pierce said. 

"You start to build this tight-knit group who have pride for one another and don't want to let each other down. That's what we talked about, and that's been throughout the spring and the summer, and now is carried on into the season.” 

As Pierce and his coaching staff progress through the season, their growth as a staff will lead to continued improved play on the field. 

The Silver and Black will return home this week to celebrate Thanksgiving and take on their AFC West rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs, on Sunday, November 26, at 4:25 p.m. EST/1:25 p.m. PST.

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