He knows I’m coming for him

Coach Pierce is determined to lead his team back to glory

Patrick Mahomes.
 Patrick Mahomes.LAPRESSE

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce is determined to lead his team back to glory in the fiercely competitive AFC West division, and he’s eyeing a unique strategy to do so. Inspired by the iconic “Jordan rules” employed by the Detroit Pistons to contain basketball legend Michael Jordan, Pierce is considering implementing “Mahomes rules” to tackle the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs.

In a recent press conference, defensive standout Maxx Crosby openly discussed the team’s approach under the proposed “Mahomes rules.” Unapologetically embracing an aggressive strategy, Crosby asserted that this game plan wouldn’t be limited to their clashes with the Chiefs but would extend to all teams facing the formidable quarterback.

“At the end of the day, if we want to win, we got to take him down,” Crosby said.

“So we’re not shy about that. He knows every time I play him, and every time I see him, I’m trying to ruin his day. So that goes for everybody.

“So yeah, you know, people can take that whatever they want, whatever, but he knows I’m coming for him.

“It’s the same. I’m on that energy every time and I know my teammates are as well. It’s not malicious or whatever… But we play with ill intent sign and we play violent and fast and we plan on doing that for the years to come.”

In search of a leader

However, the Raiders’ mission goes beyond devising defensive tactics. The franchise has grappled with instability at the quarterback position since Derek Carr‘s departure, a pressing concern Pierce aims to address in the upcoming offseason.

Recognizing the pivotal role a solid quarterback plays in a team’s success, Pierce, speaking at the NFL combine, emphasized the need for a proven winner.

“I just want a leader,” Pierce noted.

“I want a guy that can lead, that wants to compete. I want a guy that’s not afraid of a challenge because this is a big challenge that we have in front of us.

“I want to go with a proven winner. And somebody that knows what it’s like to grind and go through some adversity.”