What doomed Antonio Pierce's tenure with the Raiders

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HENDERSON, Nev. -- What a difference a year makes.

Cigar smoke and good vibes permeated the Las Vegas Raiders' locker room at Allegiant Stadium as legends such as Jim Plunkett, Charles Woodson, Ted Hendricks and Jim Otto joined the team following its win over the Denver Broncos in the 2023 season finale.

Finishing with a 3-1 flourish -- including 3-0 against AFC West opponents in that stretch -- to go 8-9 overall surely meant better times were ahead. Then-interim coach Antonio Pierce, who had tapped into the franchise's DNA as a guy who grew up a fan of the Silver and Black in Los Angeles, had won over a large portion of the fan base with his gritty…