Antonio Pierce Ready For Season Opener
Antonio Pierce will start his first National Football League [NFL] season as a head coach when his Las Vegas Raiders team face AFC West rival, the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday [September 8].
Pierce, the son of Bermudian Cleo Burrows, is a former linebacker for the New York Giants, who he helped win the Super Bowl in 2008.
The 45-year-old was appointed as head coach in January and led the Raiders to a 5-4 record after replacing Josh McDaniels on an interim basis in November last year.
Pierce rested several of his team’s starters for their final pre-season game and expects them to be fresh for battle when they play the Chargers.
“Well, our vets are kind of used to it,” Pierce told Sports Illustrated. “Like I said, they just had four days off. They didn’t play in the game.
“So, if you go back, that’s Friday, Saturday, Sunday. They come on Monday for a little bit, so they had four days there. Practice three days and another four days off.
“Like I said, we should be fresh. What I expect for them is what we talk about. It’s days before the game, and this is an important game for us.
“We want to get off to a fast start. We’re on the road against a divisional foe. We can take time off later down the road, not right now. So, they’ll be in the building. I expect them in the building.”
