Last season, the defense of the Las Vegas Raiders had an unlikely comeback. The club didn’t start the 2023 season well, going two decades without a top-10 scoring defense.
The defense turned things around under Antonio Pierce’s leadership and ended eighth in points allowed (19.5 per game). Jack Jones, the cornerback who was acquired through waivers and quickly established himself as a starter, was another key player in the turnaround. Now that he will have a whole offseason with the team, he thinks the defense can “break teams” this year.
Regarding the Raiders defense, Jones expressed excitement to the media on May 29. “You guys should see the difference in the enthusiasm we’re putting out there. As you are aware, you are able to sense it.
Thus, I believe that teams will fail on their own just by us going out there as a unit and sticking together, given the pressure and the sense of swagger and team togetherness that we have.
It appears that the Raiders will be a defensive squad for the first time in a long time. Considering that Pierce was an NFL linebacker, that makes sense. Although the team’s offensive line may need some work, the defense should be among the best in 2024.
Jack Jones Further Addresses Team’s Energy
The Raiders didn’t begin practicing football until the conclusion of the previous campaign. They’ve triumphed in three of their last four games, one of which was against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Super Bowl champions.
Before Pierce was named head coach, the Raiders’ season didn’t feel like it had officially begun. Following their victory over the Denver Broncos in Week 18, Jones stated that the club wasn’t prepared for the season to finish.
“That last game, we were all locked in. It’s usually the last game where you get the attitude like, ‘It’s the last game, I’m ready to get out of here, ready to go enjoy vacation,'” Jones remarked.
“Last year around this time, I wasn’t here, but I will say that.” “That almost felt like a game after that one, and that alone, in my opinion, proves that this team wants to play, be here, and do the right thing.”
Whether the Raiders can maintain this high level of intensity throughout the preseason and regular season is still to be seen. If they succeed, the squad may be extremely challenging to defeat in 2024.
Jack Jones Believes He’s a ‘Premier Corner’
The Raiders haven’t been very aggressive in addressing the position of cornerback, despite a lot of chatter this offseason about how they need to add one. That might be because the organization is confident in Jones’ ability to contribute now that he has had a full summer.
He undoubtedly exudes the confidence that a team looks for in a starting cornerback. Jones declared, “I think I’m a premier corner already.” “I don’t really care what each of you has to say.
I don’t really care what you guys think. I just go play ball outside. My objectives for this season are to lead the defense, qualify for the postseason, and advance further than we did the year before. Since 2019, Austin Boyd has covered the Los Angeles Lakers and Las Vegas Raiders for Heavy.com. Originally from Los Angeles and currently residing in Las Vegas, he has been featured on Heavy with interviews with NFL players Joe Montana and Darren Waller as well as an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek at “The Shop.”
Without a doubt, he radiates the assurance a club seeks in a starting cornerback. As Jones put it, “I think I’m a premier corner already.” “What each of you has to say is not actually important to me.
It honestly doesn’t matter what you guys think. I’m going outdoors to play ball. Leading the defense, making the postseason, and going farther than we did last year are my goals for this season.
Austin Boyd has covered the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Lakers for Heavy.com since 2019.
His interviews on Heavy include NFL players Joe Montana and Darren Waller, as well as an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at “The Shop.” He is originally from Los Angeles and currently resides in Las Vegas.
