“Sounds way more inappropriate than I’m sure he meant!” – New Raiders HC Antonio Pierce’s ‘feel me’ comments get misinterpreted on social media as fans are left in splits
Antonio Pierce said he and the Raiders players were tired of losing, and there will be some tough love going forward.
Antonio Pierce press conference (Image via X/Dov Kleiman)
The Las Vegas Raiders fired head coach Josh McDaniels and appointed linebacker coach Antonio Pierce on an interim basis. He will oversee the proceedings for the foreseeable future, and his performance will be evaluated for the final decision of whether to provide him with a longer contract.
Unfortunately, I had great hopes for Josh. We were going in the wrong direction.
Owner Mark Davis said after sacking the former Patriots offensive coordinator via ESPN.com
Notably, that’s an understatement considering McDaniels was 9-16 and was arguably making one wrong call after the other.
Moving on from longtime quarterback Derek Carr because of him, Davante Adams came to Sin City, then underused him. The All-Pro wide receiver only has 528 yards in 7 games as a Raider, which is miles away from “greatness.” A change was on the cards, and it happened right after the October 31st trade deadline, failing to make the most of it.
This brings us to Antonio Pierce, who, during his first press conference on Wednesday, laid the groundwork for how he would tackle the turmoil on and off the pitch. He will have the players on board because he has worked with most of them for a while. But the crucial question is: Will he be able to impact matchdays?
Pierce’s opening statement radiated the intent, “We’re tired of losing.” The Raiders can be given some grace for losing to the dominant Detroit Lions, but the manner in which they lost put McDaniels’ credentials into question. Recording only 157 yards the entire game and just one touchdown, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo fluffed his lines time and time again.
However, Pierce aims to turn things around and wants to start with the players. The 45-year-old said:
They're going to feel me. I need to feel them.
Social media divided on Antonio Pierce’s ‘feel me’ statement after appointed as the interim head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders
Pretty sure Pierce meant it in a more professional sense rather than in a comical way. But social media has a habit of digging deep into vague statements. This time wasn’t an exception either.
Interpreting the sentence can only lead to understanding that he will be strict with the players. Coaching the linebackers and taking responsibility for the entire 53-man roster, he needs to be equally firm while dealing whether it’s the seasoned veterans or the rookies. However, Netizens have quite varied views as to what the former Washington Redskins (now Commanders) stalwart meant.
Sharing a wide spectrum of reactions online, here’s what fans have to say:
The Raiders job is Antonio Pierce’s first gig as an NFL franchise head coach. He probably didn’t foresee what the implications could be with a double-meaning remark.
After retiring from the gridiron with the New York Giants, Pierce turned to coaching in 2014 at Long Beach Poly High School. His next destination was Arizona State, which scouted him as their linebacker coach, followed by a defensive coordinator and even an assistant head coach. Mark Davis decided to bring the Super Bowl winner last year, and now he is the head honcho.
in case you missed it:
- Richard Sherman wants Commanders OC Eric Bieniemy to replace Josh McDaniels as Raiders’ HC
- Chiefs boss Clark Hunt doesn’t have any regrets about trading Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins
Ishan Misra
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