HENDERSON, Nev. -- Antonio Pierce played linebacker in the NFL for nine seasons, so the Las Vegas Raiders coach has more than an inkling as to what can frustrate and take the starch out of a defense.
And it has little to do with an opposing offense airing things out.
"That's one thing that plays in your mind," Pierce said Monday in his weekly news conference. "You can throw the ball for 500, 600 yards, but when a team is running the ball on you, that gets into your head -- mentally, emotionally and physically.