When owner Mark Davis decided to remove the interim tag and make Antonio Pierce the permanent head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, the former NFL linebacker still had plenty to learn about being a head coach.

McCormick has been on the team's practice squad for most of the season and has not gotten many reps in actual games. In last week's game, the running back rushed for 33 yards on just five carries, and it caught the attention of Pierce, who thinks McCormick has earned his opportunity.

It's quite another to hear it from your own coach. However, that's exactly what happened Wednesday as Raiders coach Antonio Pierce met with reporters ahead of his team's battle with the Kansas City Chiefs Friday.