Raiders Continuing to Support Rookie QB Aidan O'Connell

When the Las Vegas Raiders decided to start Aidan O'Connell, they knew it would come with highs and lows. They continue to support their rookie quarterback.

The Las Vegas Raiders decided to change from an established NFL veteran at quarterback to an unestablished rookie quarterback, Aidan O'Connell. 

Las Vegas' coaching staff was prepared to deal with the ups and downs of starting a rookie at the most critical position on the field.

Last Sunday against the Miami Dolphins was precisely that. 

O'Connell passed for 103 yards and one touchdown in the first half. He threw for 168 yards, no touchdowns, and three interceptions in the second half.

"I think two halves," Interim Coach Antonio Pierce said. "First half, executing, getting the ball where we want it to go, maybe a throw or two here we wish we could have back and complete. In the second half, as we know, no need to press there. There were some situations where we were probably pressing."

"We've talked about it. It's going to be obviously a great learning lesson, not only for Aidan [O'Connell], but for myself and what positions we put him in, how we allow the flow of the game to go and not put that kind of stress on a young quarterback."

For Pierce, the Raiders' success partially depends on their ability to protect O'Connell.

"I think not just the quarterback, but just our defense as well," Pierce said. "They [the Miami Dolphins] were getting the ball at the beginning of the second half, very explosive offense. 

"Our philosophy on certain days is to do things a certain way -- with that clock and where it was, we're in field goal position, go ahead and take as much time off the clock as we could, and play this thing out.

"So, we do that. We don't convert the first down and we kick the field goal. They don't concede, they throw the ball and complete a 30-yard pass, so you can see they were very aggressive in their mode, and we knew that."

Since Pierce has taken over, the Raiders have done an excellent job of putting themselves in the best position to win. Continuing to fully support O'Connell, the defense and the coaching staff might allow them to pull off the upset on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Silver and Black will return home this week to celebrate Thanksgiving and take on their AFC West rival, the Kansas City Chiefs, on Sunday, November 26, at 4:25 p.m. EST/1:25 p.m. PST.

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