Tag: Pierce

Sep 22, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew (15) throws the ball against the Carolina Panthers in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Reports: Gardner Minshew to remain Raiders’ QB1

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Las Vegas Raiders will not replace starting quarterback Gardner Minshew with Aidan O’Connell, NFL Network reported.

ESPN reported Tuesday that “nothing was ever pondered” regarding a possible QB change for Sunday’s home game against the Cleveland Browns.

Raiders coach Antonio Pierce on Monday wouldn’t commit to Minshew remaining the starter in the wake of Sunday’s 36-22 home loss to the Carolina Panthers.

“I don’t think it was the team. I think there was definitely some individuals that made business decisions,” Pierce said Monday, “and we’ll make business decisions going forward as well.”

Minshew completed 18 of 28 passes for 214 yards, one touchdown and one interception before O’Connell took over. O’Connell, who started 10 games for the Raiders last season, went 9-of-12 passing for 82 yards and a TD. He led the team on a 13-play, 70-yard scoring drive.

In the first year of a two-year contract with $15 million guaranteed, Minshew has completed 73.7 percent of his passes for 747 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions for the 1-2 Raiders.

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (28) runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Texans RBs Joe Mixon doubtful, Dameon Pierce out vs. Vikings

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Houston Texans star Joe Mixon is doubtful with an ankle injury and fellow running back Dameon Pierce has been ruled out with a hamstring injury for Sunday’s matchup at the Minnesota Vikings.

If Mixon is unable to suit up, veteran Cam Akers is expected to be the primary rusher with Dare Ogunbowale likely subbing in for passing downs.

Mixon, who hasn’t practiced all week, said earlier in the week that his injury happened on a now-banned hip-drop tackle in Sunday night’s win over the Chicago Bears. He finished with 25 yards rushing on nine carries and caught three passes for 25 yards.

The 28-year-old Mixon has 184 yards rushing through two games with a touchdown. The 2021 Pro Bowler also has six catches for 44 yards.

Pierce, 24, didn’t practice this week after missing Week 2. In Week 1 as Mixon’s backup, he had three rushes for 16 yards.

Starting center Juice Scruggs (groin), backup center Jarrett Patterson (calf) and third-string safety M.J. Stewart (knee) were all listed as questionable on Friday. Scruggs and Stewart were limited on Friday while Patterson did not practice.

–Field Level Media

Dec 25, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach Antonio Pierce on field against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Not leaving Las Vegas: Raiders hiring Antonio Pierce as head coach

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Interim head coach Antonio Pierce isn’t leaving Las Vegas just yet.

The Raiders are reportedly in agreement with Pierce to make him the 23rd head coach in franchise history following a trial run as Josh McDaniels’ in-season replacement. According to multiple reports, a four- or five-year deal between Pierce and the Raiders is expected to be formally announced as soon as Friday night.

Pierce was 5-4 and the Raiders finished with a record of 8-9, tied for their second-best win total since relocating to Las Vegas in 2020. The Raiders were 10-7 in 2021, but interim head coach Rich Bisaccia, who replaced Jon Gruden, wasn’t retained. McDaniels was hired in advance of the 2022 season.

Pierce wasn’t exactly holding a dominant hand most of the season.

The Raiders switched quarterbacks, elevating untested Aidan O’Connell over Jimmy Garoppolo, and players instantly responded to Pierce with a 30-6 win over the New York Giants.

Three of Pierce’s four losses as interim coach were by one possession, including a 23-20 loss at Indianapolis in Week 17 and a 3-0 home defeat against the Vikings.

Players endorsed Pierce as the fulltime coach when the season ended, and the Tennessee Titans interviewed him for their opening after firing Mike Vrabel.

Defensive end Maxx Crosby said he would look into trade options if the Raiders didn’t keep Pierce, who also had the vote of former All-Pro Davante Adams.

“That’s my vote,” Adams said. “I’ve been vocal about that, and that’s basically how the whole locker room feels with good reason. He’s come in and done a great job and it’s continued to win us over. It’s not just the comfortable thing, I think having AP here would be good for this organization.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 30, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels checks his play sheet on the sidelines during the fourth quarter of their game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders fire coach Josh McDaniels, GM David Ziegler

Posted on | by Field Level Media

One night after an ugly defeat dropped their record to 3-5, the Las Vegas Raiders fired head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager David Ziegler on Tuesday.

The team made the announcement in a late-night posting on its website and social media.

Club owner Mark Davis said in a statement, “After much thought about what the Raiders need to move forward, I have decided to part ways with Josh and Dave. I want to thank them both for their hard work and wish them and their families nothing but the best.”

McDaniels, 47, was midway through his second season on the job, having signed a six-year deal in January 2022. The Raiders went 6-11 last year. This season, their three wins have come against opponents that currently have losing records (the Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots).

Las Vegas lost 26-14 to the host Detroit Lions on Monday night.

Ziegler, 46, also was in his second year in his role.

Both McDaniels and Ziegler came to Las Vegas from the Patriots.

McDaniels was an assistant coach at New England from 2001 to 2008 before an unsuccessful stint as the Broncos’ head coach (8-8 in 2009, 3-9 when he was fired in 2010). He spent the 2011 season as the St. Louis Rams’ offensive coordinator, then returned to work under Bill Belichick as the Patriots’ offensive coordinator from 2012 to 2021.

Ziegler worked in the New England front office from 2013 to 2021, including stints as director of pro personnel and director of player personnel.

According to ESPN, linebackers coach Antonio Pierce will serve as the Raiders’ interim head coach. Pierce, 45, joined the club when McDaniels and Ziegler arrived. He was a Super Bowl-winning linebacker during his playing career with the New York Giants.

–Field Level Media

Nov 6, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Seattle Seahawks linebacker Cody Barton (57) tackles Arizona Cardinals running back Eno Benjamin (26) during the second half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Texans to waive RB Eno Benjamin

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Houston Texans are expected to waive running back Eno Benjamin, ESPN reported on Tuesday.

Benjamin joined the Texans on Nov. 15, one day after being waived by the Arizona Cardinals. He has rushed three times for one yard in two games with Houston.

The move comes on the heels of reports Texans rookie running back Dameon Pierce could to be sidelined with an ankle injury. Pierce leads the team in carries (220), rushing yards (939) and rushing touchdowns (four).

Fellow running backs Rex Burkhead and Dare Ogunbowale have combined for 34 carries for 107 yards this season for Houston (1-11-1).

Benjamin, 23, rushed for 299 yards and two touchdowns and had 24 catches for 184 yards in 10 games this season with Arizona. He was a seventh-round draft pick by the Cardinals in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Benjamin had 418 rushing yards and three touchdowns in 21 career games (three starts) for the Cardinals.

–Field Level Media

ASU linebackers coach Antonio Pierce shouts during the first half of the Pac-12 college football game against Stanford at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe on October 18, 2018. Asu Stanford College Football

Arizona State DC Antonio Pierce is latest to leave during probe

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Arizona State defensive coordinator Antonio Pierce no longer is employed at the Pac-12 school, the university told media outlets on Wednesday.

Pierce, who reportedly resigned his post, is the fifth assistant coach to depart Herm Edwards’ staff while the NCAA investigates the program’s recruiting practices.

Previously leaving were offensive coordinator Zak Hill, tight ends coach Adam Breneman, secondary coach Chris Hawkins and wide receivers assistant Prentice Gill. Hill and Breneman resigned while Hawkins and Gill were fired.

The five were among six coaches mentioned in NCAA allegations. They are alleged to have engaged in widespread recruiting violations, including traveling outside the state of Arizona for recruiting purposes during a period in which it was not allowed.

According to reports, NCAA documents show that Edwards also participated in unsanctioned meetings. He is now the lone coach of the six who remains employed at Arizona State.

Pierce, 43, initially was hired as linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator after Edwards was hired as coach in December of 2017. Pierce was co-defensive coordinator in 2020 and ran the defense this past season.

Pierce, a linebacker, played nine NFL seasons with Washington (2001-04) and the New York Giants (2005-2009). He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2006.

Gill has appealed his firing, which could lead to a wrongful termination claim, according to 247sports.com.

Pierce’s resignation also came on National Signing Day, with Arizona State forecast to have the worst class of the 12-member Pac-12.

–Field Level Media