Raiders' Antonio Pierce Stands Out as a Listener

Las Vegas Raiders Coach Antonio Pierce has a hefty responsibility as head coach of such a historic, storied franchise.

Every coach has a philosophy, and some are dead set on how they direct their team. Pierce could take this opportunity and make it strictly his, but he understands that to win as an organization, you have to make decisions as an organization.

Pierce made it known when he was first named interim head coach last season that his players' voices would be heard and what they had to say would be taken into account. He also has two former head coaches on his staff -- Joe Philbin and Marvin Lewis -- who he is going to use as resources in his first season as a full-time head coach. Pierce believes that for him and his team to be successful, he has to listen to those around him.

"It really starts with the guys that coached me when I was younger," Pierce said at the NFL Owners' Meetings on Monday. "And that was one of the main things they used to always talk about: 'Just need to listen, guys, you need to listen.'

"When you're a young bull in your 20s, you think you know it all. As you get older, you make enough mistakes.

"And for me, to be in this position, and then, obviously, you see who I surrounded myself with, I would be a fool not to listen. Joe Philbin, Marvin Lewis -- Tom Coughlin on speed dial -- are in the building with me every day.

"But not even that. Patrick Graham -- he's been a coordinator, he's been very successful. And [I] just listen to all our guys. I think it's been a blessing for me to listen because, at the end of the day, I'm not rushing to make a decision; I'm taking it all in, I'm gathering information, and hopefully, I'm making the best decision for our organization."

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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