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Antonio Pierce's first speech of the year to Raiders players at offseason workouts is as epic as it gets
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The Las Vegas Raiders have one of the few coaches in the league who can fire you up, make you want to put some pads on and make you want to run through a wall with a single sentence. That's easily his best trait, which is no shade at everything else a coach needs to be good at because he can do those things, too.

However, that is one of the biggest reasons, if not the biggest reason, he got the interim job and the job for 2024. He won over the locker room, got the team back in the right head space, and went and won games. Sure, he didn't make the playoffs, but he made it work with what he was given.

The first day of offseason workouts was Monday, and the Raiders had a good showing. To get everyone started, Pierce gave a speech that should have fired everyone up. He did what only he can do.

"First of all, I appreciate everyone being here," Pierce said. It's totally voluntary, so I get it. But, Maxx [Crosby], we are always talking about it: If you want to be great, you have to show up every day, right? There's the standard. There are the expectations. And then, there's the Raider way. Get better. D line; get better. Wide receiver corps; get better. QBs; get better. Specialist; get better. AP [himself]; get better. Patrick [Graham]; get better. 

"There is a reason I brought Marvin Lewis in - former head coach. Joe Philbin - former head coach. Why? Get better AP. The passion has to show up. You don't love this sh**, shame on you. If you don't love this, shame on you. Shame on you, man. We're fortunate to be in these seats. I've written my spot. We are earning the right to keep going each and every day. So, show that same passion and love for being a Raider."

The Raiders should have no issues with energy and getting everyone ready to go. They have the best head coach for that job and a guy named Maxx Crosby, who has more energy than maybe anyone in the league.

These offseason workouts are going to be great for a team looking to make it back to the postseason in 2024.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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