Las Vegas Raiders Insider Podcast Training Camp Update #22

Raiders coach Antonio Pierce spoke from camp. Below is a partial transcript of what he said.

Q: Antonio, in the second half of last year’s season, the team really took a step forward under your guidance, especially on defense, and you actually became part of history in terms of your work. People were chanting your name during the last game of the year. And I’m wondering this year, is there some kind of story or some rallying point that you feel the team is going to take to get to the next level after the second half of last year?

Coach Pierce: “Yeah, I think we accomplished that in training camp — well, some of our players did — where they read the headlines of what the media is saying and predicting about our record and what they think of our defense and coaches and players. I mean, they’re taking it very seriously. And I think we have to go out and obviously produce and change that narrative. But I think that’s going to be one of the stories. I think these guys — and I know this for myself — we’re tired of losing. This organization wants to be consistent. We want to be in playoff contention, and then have a chance to win the division and get that lottery ticket to the playoffs and get into the Super Bowl. So, those are our goals, like the other 31 teams in the National Football League, but I think this team is hungry to really prove that what we did over the last nine games, especially in our last month, wasn’t a fluke.”

Q: What was the strategy behind hiring Nathan Peterman?

Coach Pierce: “Competition. Just more competition in the quarterback room.”

Q: You said the starters will play this week. Davante Adams said last night he would choose not to if it were up to him. Will there be a conversation about that or do you think he’s at a point in his career where it’s up to him? Coach Pierce: “No, if you’re healthy, you’ll play.”

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