Raiders’ Antonio Pierce speaks before final showdown with Chargers

Head Coach Antonio Pierce

Q: As you navigate these last few practices and last game, what is the overall message for the team?

Coach Pierce: “Finish. Finish. We all signed up for 17 games, an 18-week schedule. In my opinion, we’ve had a really good month, regardless of the record, just seeing the improvement, the things we talked about and “Now “It’s a great opportunity against a divisional enemy that we know very well, that we saw in the first week, to finish.”

Q: I think it was Isaiah Pola-Mao who said that regardless of the situation, you’re trying to play your best football in December, and technically that’s what you’re probably doing. What is that saying, something you could carry forward?

Coach Pierce: “Yeah, I really preached it. Let’s really go back to last year, it was pretty much the same message. You want to see your team, the arrow pointing up and getting there, regardless of injuries and who’s playing. And I think That really for us, so many young guys playing, it’s important to continue to see the growth like (Thomas) Harper did last week and watch him play, and again, we talked about a lot of our young offensive players and some defensive linemen, just watching the constant growth. and simply “Everything “We talked about a full three-phase game last week, and we want to continue that in consecutive weeks.”

Q: It seemed like a lifetime ago when you played the Chargers the first time. When you watch the film from the first game and obviously throughout the season, what’s the biggest thing you’ve noticed and changed about this Chargers team you’re about to face? ?

Coach Pierce: “Nothing. They’re physical. I mean, I think the quarterback is playing very, very well, taking care of the ball. Number 15, that rookie (Ladd) McConkey is doing a great job. But, I mean that It’s the same identity when we were ready for them in Week 1. Physical, downhill, great backs, they take care of the football, they play very, very well on defense. Obviously, there are some good numbers with what they are doing with the points. . from a defensive standpoint, but obviously a well-coached and well-prepared team. We’ll be very busy.”

Q: Just as the season concludes, who are some of the players, whether improving and growing or responding to adversity, that when you think about this season stand out to you?

Coach Pierce: “Yeah. Aidan O’Connell, quarterback, just because of what he went through. Isaiah Pola-Mao would be one. Big Mike (Michael Mayer) because we lost him for a couple of weeks, and I think he bounced back. I had great catch, some good blocks in the game and to be honest, I try to give credit to some guys who have been consistent each and every game, I mean, from day one, Week 1. a really really good player for us. Tre’von Moehrig, another player that stands out and has been consistent from day one. So those are the ones I don’t have in mind.”

Q: Are you looking forward to playing Tre’von Moehrig closer to the line of scrimmage this season, that you guys unlocked something with Tre’von throughout the season?

Coach Pierce: “Yeah, but he’s not really bad in the post. I mean, obviously he’s got some interceptions there, but just to see the blitzing ability and the matchups on the back, on the tight end, the physical player. I mean “I think everything that everyone saw in college, now over this four-year span, you saw in this combined year, just an all-out effort of what he did, and it’s been really impressive to see.”

Q: Everyone talks about your players, but what’s going on with you this season? What have you learned? I know you have one game left, but what did you learn about yourself? Coach

Pierce: “Patience. Stick with my instincts. Those two things.”

Q: You guys had a pretty big game running the ball last week. What exactly did that do to get the offense going in the running game?

Coach Pierce: “It was huge. I mean, we’ve been talking about it all year. Going back to training camp, OTAs, it doesn’t matter, Week 1, winning the line of scrimmage, playing physical, working hard and finishing.” I thought our O-line did a great job on some double teams, moving the line of scrimmage. Very good on our backs he also did a great job of being patient, backtracking and running through the tackles. and arm tackles. I thought it was on full display. It’s really good to see.

Q: You mentioned Thomas Harper a minute ago, what have you seen in his growth this year with you guys? Coach Pierce: “I mean, I came in, I really claimed him from the Chargers. I saw a guy that could help us on special teams. And I think you have to give him credit, he just found his niche. He really started on the appearance team, on the scout team versus the offense you saw him as a flash and a jump, I thought he made some plays with the ball, and then obviously last week I think he came into his own. Physical player, smart, tough, plays on special teams for. us. And you have been watching us. the defense, I put a little more than three safeties and he found his role and his niche there.

Q: You guys obviously work hard. A lot of teams work hard, they put in effort, but how much does luck factor into things in terms of your experience?

Coach Pierce: “You always want luck. You always want the ball to bounce your way. We just weren’t lucky enough this year.”

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