HENDERSON, Nev.– Tom Telesco and Antonio Pierce do not truly recognize each various other. Their initial experience came when Telesco concerned Las Las vega for his 2nd meeting with the Raiders brass for their basic supervisor task Monday.
Having actually currently been employed as head trainer, Pierce existing for Telesco’s tryout provided the possibility to start a conversation. To kick points off, Pierce saw to it to raise the historical Week 15 beatdown the Raiders placed on the Los Angeles Chargers, Telesco’s previous group– one that inevitably led them to terminate Telesco, their GM, the following day
” Right now,” Pierce stated. “When he can be found in recently, I might see that he was authentic. He was positioned. He was tranquil. He had a strategy. … He recognizes I was jabbing at him attempting to obtain him going … yet he remained really poker-faced, which I resembled, ‘OK, great, this is great.'”
Pierce and Telesco compressed their pleasant beef and harmonized well sufficient for the Raiders to move on with working with Telesco on Tuesday. Both were presented with each other at group head office Wednesday on what proprietor Mark Davis called “a wonderful day to be a Raider.”
The marital relationship in between Telesco and Pierce is quite a prepared one. The presence of a previous partnership in between a GM and head trainer does not ensure success– previous Raiders GM Dave Ziegler and previous head trainer Josh McDaniels had actually been good friends because university, besides, and had a hard time strongly prior to being discharged 8 video games right into their 2nd period with each other– yet the absence of one does normally question regarding exactly how they’ll interact.
Although he was employed after Pierce, Telesco will certainly have the last word over lineup choices. He saw to it to mention, nonetheless, that he intends to take care of football employees together with Pierce.
” It’s a collaboration,” Telesco stated. “As for developing the lineup, you’re resolving the vision of the head trainer. Exactly how does he wish to use infraction? Exactly how does he wish to use protection? Exactly how does he wish to use unique groups? And you construct it by doing this. … We’re mosting likely to have the ability to jump concepts off each various other.”
Simply the start. pic.twitter.com/zNSJXIJeUy
— Las Las Vega Raiders (@Raiders) January 25, 2024
That straightens with exactly how Telesco ran with previous Chargers head trainer Brandon Staley throughout their three-year fused in Los Angeles. Specifically on the protective side of the sphere– Staley was the protective play customer– Telesco frequently accepted his head trainer’s choices. It really did not generate favorable outcomes, yet it recommends Telesco was authentic in his need to team up with Pierce.
” Understand that we have actually obtained a strategy,” Pierce stated, “which strategy is to do it with each other and be together with it. Certainly, if he drops, I decrease. That’s simply exactly how it is. … Yet that’s not our strategy. Our strategy is to win, place a group in position that is affordable every single week and offer ourselves a chance to win.”
In regards to his roster-building ideology, Telesco wishes to construct via the draft– much like every various other GM in the organization. He had his reasonable share of draft misses out on in his 11 periods as Chargers GM (2013-23), yet he additionally made solid draft choices in quarterback Justin Herbert, receiver Keenan Allen, offending deal with Rashawn Slater, protective end Joey Bosa and safety and security Derwin James Jr. He additionally authorized effective undrafted freelances like running back Austin Ekeler and receiver Tyrell Williams
Telesco has actually additionally shown a determination to be hostile in speeding up the roster-building procedure via professions and cost-free company. Amongst his ideal relocate that room consisted of trading for protective end Khalil Mack and finalizing offensive deal with Russell Okung, cornerback Casey Hayward and focuses Mike Pouncey and Corey Linsley
” There’s nobody details method to construct a group,” Telesco stated. “You need to make use of every feasible opportunity you can under the restrictions of the wage cap. … Yet I assume in this day and age in this organization, you would certainly much better be adaptable with exactly how you construct your group.”
Telesco’s 29 years of NFL experience, 11 years as a GM and knowledge with the AFC West contributed in the Raiders bringing him onboard. The outcomes of Telesco’s period as Chargers GM, nonetheless, were blended. The group went 84-95 in the normal period, made the playoffs simply 3 times and published a 2-3 document in the postseason.
Certainly, the Raiders are expecting even more. Telesco was determined in his remarks when inquired about the group’s lineup and trajectory, yet Pierce placed it in no unclear terms that they’re intending high.
” Our vision is clear,” Pierce stated. “Win the department, enter the playoffs and lift that Lombardi Prize.”
Our vision is clear. Our ideology simple. pic.twitter.com/oaTkbAHlpK
— Las Las Vega Raiders (@Raiders) January 25, 2024
As the Raiders begin that pursuit, there’s lots for Telesco to resolve this offseason. As he begins to form the lineup, he’ll be equipped with a great deal of sources, consisting of the No. 13 choice in the draft, a strong cache of later-round choices and over $36 million in cap room (according to Over the Cap). Yet there’s additionally a lengthy checklist of locations that require to be dealt with. The Raiders need to find out the strategy at quarterback, choose the future of running back Josh Jacobs and address various other positional requirements like offending line, protective deal with and cornerback.
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Furthermore, Telesco has choices to make regarding the framework of the franchise business’s employees division. There were a number of participants of the existing personnel existing at Wednesday’s press conference, yet Telesco will certainly probably wish to make some modifications as he completes his group.
Along the road, it’ll interest see exactly how Telesco manages points with assistant basic supervisor Champ Kelly. Kelly functioned as the Raiders’ acting GM for 9 video games last period, talked to for the GM task 3 times and was considered as the preferred to obtain the task as lately as recently, yet he inevitably failed to Telesco. Kelly is still under agreement with the Raiders and might return as assistant GM in 2024, yet that’ll boil down to whether Telesco desires him back and if Kelly wishes to be back. Wherefore it deserves, Kelly and various other employees staffers intend to take a trip to Mobile, Ala., for the Senior citizen Dish following week to increase draft prep work, according to several group resources.
After Wednesday’s press conference finished, Telesco, Pierce and Davis swiftly left the conference room without taking part in the popular technique of conference with press reporters to respond to follow-up inquiries. It was time to obtain hectic.
” I do not assume they’re mosting likely to be speaking to you way too much hereafter,” Davis informed the put together media. “They have actually obtained some job to do.”
( Image: Ethan Miller/ Getty Images)