Giants fans react to playoff hero Antonio Pierce named interim Raiders HC
Well, it was bound to happen and it did. While everyone was asleep, the Las Vegas Raiders announced late Tuesday night/early Wednesday morning that they had fired Josh McDaniels as their head coach, plus general manager David Ziegler.
As for the Raiders interim head coach, it will be former New York Giants fan favorite from years ago Antonio Pierce. Pierce played nine seasons in the NFL as a linebacker and won Super Bowl XLII with the Giants, which was one of their massive upset wins over the New England Patriots.
Pierce, the linebackers coach the last two years with Las Vegas, is now set to run the show with McDaniels out of town. The timing is intriguing, as Big Blue is headed to Sin City this weekend for a huge Week 9 matchup:
New Raiders’ HC Antonio Pierce now will be the 12th different person to coach a game for the Raiders over the past 20 seasons, including interims, the most of any franchise over that span. Pierce will be the eighth different coach, interim or regular, for the Raiders since Mark… pic.twitter.com/9snLi8fupm
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 1, 2023
Antonio Pierce taking over as Raiders coach is bittersweet for Giants Nation
Indeed, the Giants are set to take on the Raiders this weekend at Allegiant Stadium, marking the debut for Pierce. Countless people in NY/NJ always want the best for Pierce, but there's no question they're hoping a big-time L is coming for him this weekend. Still, with that said, that doesn't change the fact that folks are pretty fired up for him:
NYG legend Antonio Pierce
— Kodak White (@Kinseye3000) November 1, 2023
Loved Antonio Pierce back when he was on the Giants. Was always a leader and seems like a good hire for the Raiders. #Analysis
— Jordan Bloom (@jordanbloom2) November 1, 2023
Oh wow good for Giants legend Antonio Pierce https://t.co/i2CrbfnDfg
— Judson (@JudsonK17) November 1, 2023
Awesome news to wake up to.... Giants great @AntonioPierce
— LPG - NYG (@LicensePlateGuy) November 1, 2023
named Raiders interim head coach. i can still see that 3rd & 8 screen blowup in Green Bay. See you Sunday. #nygiants #giants #ap #58 pic.twitter.com/ePjSV2isn8
Happy for Antonio Pierce!!
— 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗭𝗼𝗻𝗲 (@TheBlueZonee) November 1, 2023
Once a Giant, Always a Giant https://t.co/y3uKfUiFAe
Congrats to Antonio Pierce on an awesome opportunity
— el Jefé (@JefePil) November 1, 2023
Here’s a big defensive play he made from the Giants ‘07 Super Bowl run @AntonioPierce pic.twitter.com/5LzGUHsYpg
As you can see, Big Blue fans are very happy that Pierce will now get an opportunity to be a head coach in the NFL and take over a team that has been in the basement of the NFL for many years. Over his nine seasons in the NFL, Pierce racked up nine sacks in 124 games he played for the Washington Commanders and Giants. Pierce was also a key factor in the NY Super Bowl run during the 2007 season, as he made a huge tackle against Green Bay Packers running back Brandon Jackson on third down in the NFC Championship Game. It saved a TD - the Giants won that game in OT.
With the Giants at 2-6 and the Raiders at 3-5 and both offenses playing very poor this season, this game could be a low-scoring, lackluster showing. However, there are now countless headlines being made with the Pierce/McDaniels news. Congrats to Pierce on his new gig and we wish him nothing but the best, just not this Sunday vs. the G-Men.
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