Antonio Pierce: Vision for Raiders is to hoist the Lombardi trophy

The Las Vegas Raiders held their introductory press conference for their new coach Antonio Pierce and General Manager Tom Telesco Wednesday and both laid out their vision for the team… to win.

“It’s not going to be easy. It’s not going to be overnight. I’m not promising anything, along with Tom, but I do know this: You’re going to get the best out of myself and Tom,” Pierce said. “We’re going to exhaust every possible resource and ounce of sweat, tears and effort and night and minute and second that we have to turn this bad boy into a consistent winning organization that is used to and it deserves.”

READ MORE FROM SACTOWN SPORTS: 

• Tom Telesco named next general manager for Raiders
• Raiders announce Antonio Pierce as the team’s next head coach

The new leadership group couldn’t have come from different backgrounds, but both worked tirelessly to get to the same podium.

Telesco joined the Chargers organization in 2013, becoming the organization’s youngest general manager in franchise history. And he worked his way up to get there. He got his first job in the NFL in 1991 as a training camp intern with the Buffalo Bills.

“When I interviewed for this job, I didn’t see it that the head coaching job was open. Like he’s the head coach. AP came in on short notice and produced on the field,” Telesco said. “Didn’t do anything to not have the job, so he had the job at the end of the year. He was the head coach when I came in and interviewed. That’s the way I looked at it.”

Before picking up the clipboard, Antonio Pierce was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the then-Washington Redskins in 2001. He spent four seasons in Washington before finishing his career with the New York Giants where he won one Super Bowl.

After his playing career ended in 2009, he eventually found his way back on the sidelines, joining Arizona State as a linebackers coach in 2017. During his tenure, he would eventually add the titles of associate head coach and defensive coordinator before leaving in 2022.

Tune in at 1 p.m. PT for a live press conference from Intermountain Health Performance Center.
https://t.co/Wkz0fligan

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) January 24, 2024

Prior to this offseason, the two had never met. Now they’re tasked with building a winning roster and coaching staff.

“As far as building the roster, you’re working through the vision of the head coach,” Telesco said. “How does he want to play on offense, how does he want to play on defense, how does he want to play on special teams, and you build it that way. There’s a lot of discussions; you work through things. We’re going to be able to bounce ideas off each other.

Pierce added to his new GM’s thought, saying not everyone is meant to play or coach for the Raiders. He wants teachers who believe in the plan and the style of play.

“What are the Raiders known for? The vertical passing game, right? We want to see the shots down the field. We want the explosive plays. That has to be a part of the creativity,” Pierce said. “You look at the shifts, the motions, all that stuff goes into it. I’m not going to give my whole hat away and tip, but just think of when the Raiders were playing really good football, and that’s going to be your offensive coordinator hopefully as we go forward.”

Key offseason dates for Tom Telesco and the Raiders

• Sunday, Feb. 4th – Pro Bowl Games
• Sunday, Feb. 11th – Super Bowl LVIII, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
• Tuesday, Feb. 20th – Teams can begin franchising players until Tuesday, March 5th
• Tuesday, Feb. 27 – NFL Combine begins

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