The Raiders’ running game is off to a slow start and head coach Antonio Pierce isn’t happy about it.
Pierce wants the Raiders to be a team that can dominate the trenches and after two games, the running game has been the overwhelming weakness of the offense.
The Raiders implemented a new offensive system in the offseason with first-year offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, but it doesn’t sound like Pierce is going to give a long leash to Getsy’s zone-blocking scheme.
Speaking to members of the media at Monday’s press conference, this is what Pierce had to say about fixing the Raiders’ running game…
“It’s got to start it up front. I think it’s got to start it up front,” Pierce said. “I know it’s a coaching cliche here, but it starts with me. Its starts with our coaches. Our offensive line coach. Our coordinator. That’s poor. That’s piss poor. It’s not good enough and our players are going to hear about it here in a second. We just can’t do that.”
“There has to be an intent and a play style that we talked about, that we practiced, that we’ve been preaching since day one, and it’s not showing up on game day,” Pierce continued. “So obviously, you know, if it’s changes that need to be made or scheme, everything is on the table.”
It was a brutally honest assessment from Pierce on the Raiders’ running game, and his comments might point to a shift in scheme in the weeks ahead.
Zamir White was one of the most effective running backs in the league at the end of the 2023 season, and it’s no secret that he hasn’t shown great vision running the ball in Getsy’s zone-blocking scheme. After the Raiders week one loss to the Chargers, several media personalities made the same assertion after watching the film.
“I’m not sure Zamir White is a great back for this type of offense,” The Athletic’s Ted Nguyen said this week on the Just Win podcast.
“I’m not putting the blame on Zamir White [after Sunday’s game], I’m just saying I don’t know on a grander scope if he’s a good back in this type of system, which is why I think maybe they want to get Mattison in and get him some more carries because he’s from the zone system in Minnesota,” Nguyen continued. “You need a guy that could make those cuts and be fluid, finding those holes in the outside zone. White was better when they are running some more inside stuff… so maybe they get good at running both.”
This run by White against the Ravens only confirmed what Nguyen and others have been saying…
As far as White’s role in the offense going forward, it seems like Pierce is still committed to him.
“I’m gonna keep pumping him up,” Pierce said. “Our goal is to get 20+ touches with him. That was the goal this week, didn’t happen. That’s going to be the goal this week and every week while he’s the starting running back and I’m here.”
That statement from Pierce should come as big news to fantasy footballers as White is a player that should have a high ceiling in the weeks ahead.
The Raiders schedule gets much easier with the Panthers in town and White should be more of a factor in week 3.
If you are in a fantasy league that allows trades, now might be the time to get White, and the cost shouldn’t be a lot. After starting the season with 68 yards on 22 carries, fantasy owners are probably as frustrated as Pierce is with the Raiders’ running game.
