After Antonio Pierce took over as head coach, the defence improved dramatically, finishing tenth in points allowed (19.5 per game). Another key component of the comeback was cornerback Jack Jones, who quickly became a starter after being claimed off waivers. He’ll now have a full offseason with the team, and he expects the defence to “break teams” this season.
“I’m excited,” Jones said of the Raiders’ defence during his May 29 media appearance. “You see the energy we’re putting out there? It’s different. You can feel it, you know what I mean. So, I believe that with that pressure and teams feeling it, that swag, that team togetherness that we have, that just going out there as a squad and coming together will shatter teams.”
For the first time in years, it appears that the Raiders will be a defensive squad. Given Pierce’s NFL experience as a linebacker, this makes sense. Although the club has some offensive difficulties, the defence has the potential to be a top unit in 2024.
Jack Jones Discusses the Team’s Energy
The Raiders did not begin playing football until the end of the previous season. They’ve won three of their last four games, including one over the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. The Raiders’ season did not feel fully underway until Pierce took over as head coach.
Jones stated that the club was not prepared for the season to end following their Week 18 victory over the Denver Broncos.
“Last year around this time I wasn’t here, but I will say that last game – usually the last game it’s like you get the attitude like, ‘It’s the last game, I’m ready to get out of here, ready to go enjoy vacation,’ and that last game we were all locked in,” Jones stated. “It was almost like we had a game after that game, and that right there alone shows me at least that this team wants to play and wants to be here and wants to do the right thing.”
It remains to be seen whether the Raiders can maintain their high level of intensity throughout the offseason and regular season. If they can, the squad could be extremely difficult to beat in 2024.
Jack Jones believes He is a ‘Premier Corner’
There has been much discussion about how the Raiders needed to add a cornerback this offseason, but the team has not been overly aggressive in addressing the position. This could be due to Jones’ confidence in what he can provide to the squad now that he has had a full offseason.
He undoubtedly exudes the confidence that a team wants from a No. 1 cornerback.
“I believe I’m a premier corner already myself,” Jones stated. “I’m not too concerned about what you all say. I’m not concerned about what you say. I just walk outside and play ball. My goal this year is to be the number one defence, make the playoffs, and advance further than we did last year.”
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