I’ve never been fond of Jon Gruden, and was dead set against him ever being considered as HC for the Giants. I am uncertain of my ability to judge his technical proficiency, but I’ve always thought him a little bit of a lightweight in that regard. And that combined with his demeanor during his previous stint made me believe he shouldn’t be considered.
But, I’ve been reevaluating my opinion, and if in the unlikely event he should have any interest, it might make sense to talk with him. But this comes with a big proviso; and that is IF he can be staffed with solid people at both OC and DC to attend to the details.
My reasons for thinking he may be successful here are likely a little unusual:
1. Coaching in NYC marketplace is different. Part of the job description is being able to relate well to and communicate with the media. What happens when a coach can’t has just been illustrated. (Not that he needed any help!)
Gruden’s earlier stint as HC was characterized by him making some ill-considered and unhelpful remarks. But he’s matured and become a lot more media-savvy since his work in broadcasting. And his voluble and passionate nature stands a chance of working to the club’s advantage with the media.
2. He’s still passionate about the game and this enthusiasm and his outspoken command of language will demand the players’ attention, and he may eventually demand their respect as well. This isn’t a guy who’s going to stand quietly on the side line and ignore what his players are doing. I believe he can be an effective motivator. But his style as a coach has also always been direct and no-nonsense, he won’t be a push over either.
3. If the team is going to go looking for a new franchise QB, Gruden isn’t the worst guy to go looking with.
4. His strength is the offense, and given the chance, he has a shot at helping recruit an talented OC, give him a solid DC, and he might be able to build a competent and synergistic staff
I want no part of him.
But I still don’t want him
One of the major reasons is his work with QB's at the end of their career rope.
He took a late 30's Rich Gannon, who was no exceptional standout in his career, and turned him into an MVP type quarterback.
Then he took Brad Johnson, a middling but slightly above average journeyman, and made him the piece of a Super Bowl winning team.
The wildcard is I think he likes working with veteran QBs, and that would play right into the potential that Mara and Co. want the proper sendoff for Eli, and Gruden would love to work with a Manning in his career.
I also think Gruden has a great mix between entertaining relate-ability, and hard ass motivator when needed. He can flip the switch just like that. He is certainly a communicator and leader of men, there's no question. Guy is as confident as Parcells.
So while at first I didn't want it, I'm certainly not against the Giants speaking with him. He is 54 now, so a couple years younger than Coughlin was when he interviewed and got the job in 2004.
Plus, he's a former head coach, something the front office might value.
Who knows what gruden would bring to this franchise or if it's even feasible but I wouldn't be mad at all if he was brought in as HC. The guy succeeded in two spots.
Career: 100–85 (.541)
I still wouldn't be doing cartwheels if he was the guy - but I don't think it would really bother me, either.
What? He left Oakland and they were light years better than before he got there. They went to a super bowl after he left. Plus, gruden's shady departure was in large part because Al Davis was insane. I don't even have to research that. Al's persona or wacky involvement had to have been a factor there.
Here's the thing. A 40 year old bill parcells isn't available. Who are we choosing from? Gruden might be the best of the lot.
Belichick was a retread. So was vermeil. So was parcells in New England. So was Tom coughlin.
The answer is, none
The answer is, none
No expert on Gruden and his drafting of QBs, but he won the SB basically with a journeyman Brad Johnson and took another journeyman Rich Gannon close to the SB.
He's a proven coach, can be no nonsense when he has to be, and is in tune with the league and its players by virtue of him MNF gig.
Aside from that, I'm intrigued by Vrabel.
The answer is, none
So? He was on two teams that had good qbs. Are you really saying that Gruden can't develop a young qb? Really? Based on what? I've seen others say this too. Why? Someone else actually said he can only develop or work with vet qbs. What?
First off how would anyone really know whether the guy can or can't develop a young qb and second, is that even possible? A guy who has been in the NFL for decades and has seen it all, won with two older qbs can't coach one that is 5-10 years younger? Ok... whatever. Love how fans form some narratives.
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The other candidate I like is Harbaugh, the Baltimore one.
Yeah, he sucks!
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tell me a good quarterback Gruden drafted or developed.
The answer is, none
So? He was on two teams that had good qbs. Are you really saying that Gruden can't develop a young qb? Really? Based on what?
First off how would anyone really know whether the guy can or can't develop a young qb and second, is that even possible? A guy who has been in the NFL for decades and has seen it all, won with two older qbs can't coach one that is 5-10 years younger? Ok... whatever. Love how fans form some narratives. [/quote]
Based on the fact that he's never done it. Jon Gruden owned that franchise. Ownership wanted Gruden, overruled their own GM and traded two first round picks, two second round picks, and $8m cash to get Gruden. They did everything he wanted, including firing the GM that built that team into a super bowl winner and had been there for 10 years before Gruden.
He inherited Rich Gannon. He inherited Brad Johnson. After Brad Johnson left Tampa, the list of quarterbacks that started for Jon Gruden is as follows:
Rob Johnson
Tim Rattay
Luke McCown
Bruce Gradkowski (6th)
Chris Simms (3rd)
Jeff Garcia
Brian Griese
These are quarterbacks he wanted. And he can't blame management incompetence either, since the GM who replaced McKay was Bruce Allen, another respected name.
People misremember history like Jon Gruden went to tampa and paved the streets with gold. That team had three hall of famers coached up by Tony Dungy in their prime on defense and has been in the playoffs every year two years before Gruden got there. He won with that team, went 7-9 the next year, then went 5-11 the year after.
Yeah, he sucks!
That was like 20 years ago, he hasn’t coached in almost 10.
Did he ever have to develop a QB from the draft? I thought his supposed forte was in helping career backups and journeymen improve dramatically.
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I think Gruden is a lot closer to Jim Fassel than Tom Coughlin. I don't know what it is about his TV career that's made people think he's a savior or a franchise fixer. He won a championship with a foundation of hall of fame defensive players that were already therr before him. He's good at working with veteran QBs. Despite being depicted as a QB wizard, name one that he developed from the draft.
Did he ever have to develop a QB from the draft? I thought his supposed forte was in helping career backups and journeymen improve dramatically.
Phil Simms' son. But for the most part he had no time for rookie QBs. He went after a lot of journeymen.
He's told many people that he was killing himself prepping. He felt like he was exhausted and he burned out. That's the main reason he never returned to the sidelines. He had several offers to return his first few years, but he prefers the more relaxed schedule of broadcasting.
If he felt burned out 10 years ago and he's now in his mid-50's, I don't think he'd look forward to the grueling schedule.
But he gets mentioned here all the time - as if it is 2008 again.
But it is such a moving target that I have no clue what defines it.
Apparently Cowher and Gruden are "inspiring" choices, but some guy nobody has heard of (mostly through faults of their own) aren't considered inspiring.
It is all pretty much BS. People have little clue about some OC, position coach or DC, but they've heard of Cowher and Gruden. Inspiring!!
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In comment 13728328 Ten Ton Hammer said:
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I think Gruden is a lot closer to Jim Fassel than Tom Coughlin. I don't know what it is about his TV career that's made people think he's a savior or a franchise fixer. He won a championship with a foundation of hall of fame defensive players that were already therr before him. He's good at working with veteran QBs. Despite being depicted as a QB wizard, name one that he developed from the draft.
Did he ever have to develop a QB from the draft? I thought his supposed forte was in helping career backups and journeymen improve dramatically.
Phil Simms' son. But for the most part he had no time for rookie QBs. He went after a lot of journeymen.
He had no time for crappy young QBs. Just because he didn't turn a crappy young QB into a good one doesn't mean he won't do it or can't do it. Of all the things to kill Gruden for I have a hard time killing him for lack of QB development. He turned Gannon into an MVP caliber player. He turned Johnson into a super bowl champion. Are you telling me if the Giants drafted a young first round QB that gruden would fuck him all up based on his "failures" with Chris Simms? And actually, I think Brian Griese had some good moments under Gruden...It's a stretch either way.