Jon Gruden (Merged)

[L.M.]

kinda wonder what all he's picked up on all the different teams and players working as an announcer .... I truly do enjoy Gruden as an announcer, but wasn't overly impressed at him as a coach ... he took the team Dungy put together to the SB, but didn't do much after that with the Bucs that I remember ....

They had a salary cap disaster after that SB, lost a bunch of players, had lost a bunch of draft picks in the trade to get Gruden, but he still managed to get a couple more division titles with playoff berths before they fired him after a 9-7 season and gambled on Raheem Morris who proceeded to dragged the team down into the League basement (much like VJ has here).

He was traded for in the first place because of what he accomplished in Oakland. He took a 4-12 team with a horrible offense to the conference championship with a top 5 offense in only two years. And his OAK offense went to the SB against his new Buc's squad. Yes Dungy built that Buc's D, but they had no O until Gruden retooled it and couldn't get over the hump without one. Gruden has a talent for offense, which is why some of us wanted him here because that's what we need.

This is not an Art Shell situation; it would take decades of being away from football for it to be so. Gruden has thoroughly studied every team that's played on MNF, visiting their facilities and practices, interviewing coaches and players, all so he can break down what's happening on the field instantly and accurately, so the game definitely hasn't passed him by.

[Chop_Block]

kinda wonder what all he's picked up on all the different teams and players working as an announcer .... I truly do enjoy Gruden as an announcer, but wasn't overly impressed at him as a coach ... he took the team Dungy put together to the SB, but didn't do much after that with the Bucs that I remember ....

Not really. The Dungy Bucs were seriously offensively deficient. They weren't going anywhere with Dungy. That was clear, which is why the Bucs went after Gruden. Gruden took Brad Johnson to his best seasons ever and won a SB. I'm not taking away the defensive team Dungy helped build but he was not going to win a championship without Gruden. And, while I like Dungy, he wasn't very good in Indy. Yes, he won, because of Manning. He never built the team up much as it was carried by Manning. That's not saying he wasn't a good coach, he was, but he was more a leader of men than a head coach to rebuild a team.

[DevilSpawn]

Per the Raiders website, and Duh Online Magazine, it's NOW official. Gonna be a strange ride in the beginning for sure.

[Butler By'Note]

Per the Raiders website, and Duh Online Magazine, it's NOW official. Gonna be a strange ride in the beginning for sure.

It'll be interesting to see what his contract actually looks like. Today it was reported that the first 5 year he'll be paid $5 million per season, and the final 5 years he'll get $15 million per season. Surely the Raiders have an opt out clause? If not they're insane!

The final 5 years thing is big for two reasons: 1. If he's still with the team Nevada has no state tax. 2. If he's not with the team, and there's no opt out clause, then it'll fall under the offset rules, which means if he's coaching elsewhere the Raiders will get dollar for dollar credit on what he's owed each year, so they'll only be on the hook for the overage. But regardless he'll be making $15 million for those 5 years.

[DevilSpawn]

It'll be interesting to see what his contract actually looks like. Today it was reported that the first 5 year he'll be paid $5 million per season, and the final 5 years he'll get $15 million per season. Surely the Raiders have an opt out clause? If not they're insane!

Only Shirley knows that (I couldn't resist!)

That's smart then if they do. If he can't get it done in 5 years, they only paid him $25 million and he may have a buyout of not $75 million. Mark Davis looks like Lloyd Christmas, but he's not a bad businessman.

Trivia about Mark Davis: He invented muff-style hand warmer for players.

The final 5 years thing is big for two reasons: 1. If he's still with the team Nevada has no state tax. 2. If he's not with the team, and there's no opt out clause, then it'll fall under the offset rules, which means if he's coaching elsewhere the Raiders will get dollar for dollar credit on what he's owed each year, so they'll only be on the hook for the overage. But regardless he'll be making $15 million for those 5 years.

I hope Gruden gets every penny and was worth it, but we'll see.

[Sophia23]

Not really. The Dungy Bucs were seriously offensively deficient. They weren't going anywhere with Dungy. That was clear, which is why the Bucs went after Gruden. Gruden took Brad Johnson to his best seasons ever and won a SB. I'm not taking away the defensive team Dungy helped build but he was not going to win a championship without Gruden. And, while I like Dungy, he wasn't very good in Indy. Yes, he won, because of Manning. He never built the team up much as it was carried by Manning. That's not saying he wasn't a good coach, he was, but he was more a leader of men than a head coach to rebuild a team.

i don't know, i've always liked Dungy, so was a little disappointed that he took the Bucs to the playoffs several years then got fired and Gruden took them all the way.... Guess I didn't pay attention to what hurt Gruden in Tampa, so didn't think about it being salary caps. I know he brought some good competition to our division during his raiders years, but just remember his final years with the Bucs that surprises me for the amount of the contract he's being given ...

[Sophia23]

They had a salary cap disaster after that SB, lost a bunch of players, had lost a bunch of draft picks in the trade to get Gruden, but he still managed to get a couple more division titles with playoff berths before they fired him after a 9-7 season and gambled on Raheem Morris who proceeded to dragged the team down into the League basement (much like VJ has here).

He was traded for in the first place because of what he accomplished in Oakland. He took a 4-12 team with a horrible offense to the conference championship with a top 5 offense in only two years. And his OAK offense went to the SB against his new Buc's squad. Yes Dungy built that Buc's D, but they had no O until Gruden retooled it and couldn't get over the hump without one. Gruden has a talent for offense, which is why some of us wanted him here because that's what we need.

This is not an Art Shell situation; it would take decades of being away from football for it to be so. Gruden has thoroughly studied every team that's played on MNF, visiting their facilities and practices, interviewing coaches and players, all so he can break down what's happening on the field instantly and accurately, so the game definitely hasn't passed him by.

I agree completely with your last paragraph, because he has seen and been involved on multiple levels in the announcing booth. This part does make me wonder how dangerous he will be returning to coaching. I say I'm not impressed with him, maybe I just don't want him back in our division. I really do enjoy him in the booth though.

[L.M.]

Not really. The Dungy Bucs were seriously offensively deficient. They weren't going anywhere with Dungy. That was clear, which is why the Bucs went after Gruden. Gruden took Brad Johnson to his best seasons ever and won a SB. I'm not taking away the defensive team Dungy helped build but he was not going to win a championship without Gruden. And, while I like Dungy, he wasn't very good in Indy. Yes, he won, because of Manning. He never built the team up much as it was carried by Manning. That's not saying he wasn't a good coach, he was, but he was more a leader of men than a head coach to rebuild a team.

Ehh P.Manning usually struggled somewhat in the playoffs, and the year Indy won the SB was no exception.

Dungy did for Indy about the same as Gruden did for TB -- he retooled and improved the weaker unit so they could get over the hump, and Indy's defense was certainly terrible! It took Dungy a little more time than Gruden though because except for Freeney the D roster was deficient and he needed more playmakers. So after getting some like Robert Mathis, Bob Sanders, etc. the team was finally more balanced and the defense could actually pull its weight playing an instrumental role in their victories.

[broncoslover115]

His presser is awesome. He's hilarious and passionate. I think he's gonna be great for them.

Wish we had someone with his knowledge and passion instead of........

[Broncoyearound]

His presser is awesome. He's hilarious and passionate. I think he's gonna be great for them.

Wish we had someone with his knowledge and passion instead of........

Carrying a coach who's still on training wheels? Or one who picked Wednesdays as the most important date of the week in the nfl season? Hmm I think we have a coach just like that unfortunately...

[DevilSpawn]

He's got his Chucky face back. I don't think I saw that face in the booth. I'm excited of course but we'll see.

[Peanut]

He's got his Chucky face back. I don't think I saw that face in the booth. I'm excited of course but we'll see.

I love his Chucky face. He didn't have to yell. He just gives "that" look. You should be be excited.

[broncolee]

It’s hard to believe that there’s so much excitement for a mediocre coach.

The Raiders are paying through the nose, hoping he learned a few things while not coaching.

Zero playoff wins and a losing record in his last six seasons as a head coach.

[DevilSpawn]

It’s hard to believe that there’s so much excitement for a mediocre coach.

The Raiders are paying through the nose, hoping he learned a few things while not coaching.

Zero playoff wins and a losing record in his last six seasons as a head coach.

What changed your mind in the last 7 years?

[L.M.]

It’s hard to believe that there’s so much excitement for a mediocre coach.

The Raiders are paying through the nose, hoping he learned a few things while not coaching.

Zero playoff wins and a losing record in his last six seasons as a head coach.

You need to double check your "facts".