Although Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce didn’t name anyone in particular when criticizing his team after their loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, cornerback Jack Jones is sticking to his guns.
Pierce criticized his players for making “business decisions” on the field during their 36-22 loss to the Panthers, and vowed to follow suit with his own “business decisions.” He reiterated his stance Monday, criticizing the “entire defensive effort.”
Very quickly, videos surfaced on social media pointing the finger at Jones. In one particular play, Jones is seen watching the ball pass him instead of trying to make a tackle. A second play shows Jones completely missing a tackle.
So on Tuesday, Jones took to social media to defend himself.
“Y’all can’t wait to badmouth me,” he wrote. “Look at the seven more tackles I made instead of just one. I’m moving on to next week. I’m better than I played and I know it and I’m going to show it.”
You couldn’t wait to badmouth me 🤣🤣 look at the other 7 tackles I made instead of posting 1 tackle. Moving on to next week. I’m better than I played, I know it and I’m going to show it.
— Jack Jones🏄🏽♂️ (@presidentjacc) September 24, 2024
He also insisted that any effort issues fans might point out had nothing to do with his release from the New England Patriots midway through last season.
And that’s not why Bill cut me off… lol
— Jack Jones🏄🏽♂️ (@presidentjacc) September 24, 2024
Again, Pierce wasn’t specific about what “business decisions” he wanted to make after their loss to the Panthers, which followed an upset win over the Ravens in Baltimore the week before. And the Raiders’ problems extend far beyond Jones, who had seven total tackles, third on the team in that game. But there’s no doubt that those two examples, especially out of context, weren’t Jones’ finest moments.
Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew also struggled. He completed just 18 of 28 passes for 214 yards with a touchdown and an interception against the Panthers. Minshew was also replaced by backup Aidan O’Connell in the fourth quarter after throwing his interception. O’Connell, who was the team’s starter last year, went on to lead the Raiders on a long touchdown drive. Pierce declined to confirm that Minshew was still the team’s starting quarterback after that game, but it appears Minshew is ready to start next week against the Cleveland Browns.
The Raiders have some issues to address heading into Sunday’s game at Allegiant Stadium. Jones admitted some of that is his fault. But blaming him entirely won’t solve the problems.
“We understood that there could be a misstep in a game like this, where you have a peak of the peaks against the Ravens and you come up against a team that everybody expects you to beat. … Looking back, I think all of us, myself, the staff … it just has to be better,” Pierce said Monday.
