Antonio Pierce on involving Davante Adams: 'I'm not stupid'
For nearly two decades, Josh McDaniels was lauded by many as an offensive guru. An architect of the Tom Brady-led offense in New England, McDaniels helped guide the Patriots to six Super Bowl victories.
Yet somehow, it's taken Las Vegas Raiders interim coach Antonio Pierce just two games to realize something that McDaniels struggled with through most of his tenure in Sin City: good things happen when you get the ball to Davante Adams.
In Las Vegas' 16-12 victory against the New York Jets on Sunday night, Adams was involved early and often, out-targeting all other Raiders skill players 13 to 12.
“The first couple plays were right to him. Get the ball in his hands, get him going," Pierce told reporters after the game. "When you’ve got one of the best receivers in the game, I’m not stupid. I know who to get the ball to."
Sunday marked only the second double-digit target game for Adams since Week 4. His 86 yards against the Jets is his second-highest output of the season and the first time he's surpassed 75 yards in a game since Week 3.
Prior to the coaching change in Las Vegas, Adams was fading into the background of the Raiders game plan, catching fewer than five passes in three of McDaniels' final four games at the helm.
While Adams' production under Pierce doesn't exactly jump off the screen — 10 receptions for 120 yards over two games — it's a step in the right direction for Adams and the Raiders, who suddenly find themselves in the thick of the playoff race.
Undefeated since the firing of McDaniels, the Raiders are now 5-5 on the season and sit just a half-game back from a wild-card spot in the current AFC playoff picture.
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