Pierce Wants Players Who Earned Their Opportunities

Las Vegas Raiders Coach Antonio Pierce has worked for everything he has achieved in his career, and he wants players who have done the same.

Becoming the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders was only the latest accomplishment in Antonio Pierce's storied football career.

From playing at the junior college ranks before transferring to Arizona to entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent, the odds have always been against Pierce. But in the end, Pierce defied those odds, finishing his playing career as a Super Bowl champion and a one-time Pro Bowler.

The Raiders coach has earned his opportunities, which is what he expects from his players.

"I don't want anybody that's entitled, that doesn't have a little chip on their shoulder," Pierce said at the NFL Owners' Meetings on Monday. "We're not going to mesh. It's just not going to happen.

Pierce said attending events like Pro Days is beneficial when trying to pin point if a player has something to prove.

"You can't always see that on film," he said. "We got to be around each other; I got to hear you talk, I got to look in your eyes. That's the culture we're setting.

"When you look at a Maxx Crosby, a Robert Spillane, Jakobi Meyers, those guys all play with chips on their shoulders -- Andre James. They understand what it's like to be the underdog. And that's fine.

"And once we're on top, we'll know what it's like to be the top dog. But you want those guys that got a little bit more itch to them when we go out there on Sundays."

The players Pierce mentioned -- Crosby, Spillane, Meyers, and James -- have all exceeded the low expectations once placed on them. Crosby entered college as a walk-on, and Spillane, Meyers, and James all went undrafted. Now, they all are key starters for the Silver and Black.

You can watch Pierce's entire press conference from Monday here.

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently have the No. 13 overall pick.

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