Jon Gruden spent the past two seasons coaching Jeff Garcia while both men were in Tampa Bay, but the former Raiders coach strongly believes that Oakland's best chances to succeed this season are with JaMarcus Russell at quarterback.
"I think they gotta go with JaMarcus Russell," Gruden said on Sirius satellite radio. "He's the No.1 pick in the (2007) draft. They've added Paul Hackett who I think is an outstanding coach. He's a tremendous quaterbacks coach. No one talks about the addition of Paul Hackett. I think he's going to really reach out and help Russell. They've got a lot invested in him. This is the time when JaMarcus has to explode onto the scene. Hopefully McFadden, Bey, Zach Miller, some of his young support system can help him, because he does have great ability throwing the football."
Having said that, Gruden also realizes what it means to have a backup like Garcia coming off the bench and believes his former quarterback is a perfect mentor for Russell. "(Garcia) is a premier competitor and I think that's the No.1 criteria that you have to have to survive in the NFL at that position". "You have to be a premier competitor. Garcia is that, and if you look at Jeff's career in the history of this game, he protects the all as good or better that anybody that's ever played. He's one of the top for or five all-time in not turning the football over. " " It may frustrate you at times, you may want to take more risk, but Jeff will take care of the football.. His experience and leadership should rub off on Russell, and his young supporting cast. They've got some dynamic backs, a big fast wideout in the draft, and the best corner, in my opinion. This could be a year in which they turn it around."
Translation if they dont turn it around this year, I will be back next year to turn it around . Devil - I was thinking the same thing. It seems like all Gruden has been doing since he's been in the media is talking about the Raiders.
I'm all on board for Cable and think he's doing good so far, but if he can't get it done, we need to try and bring Chuckie back!
Like I said before Hater, if keeping Aso and Lechler meant keeping Cable fine, otherwise it was a no brainer as far as I was concerned whether to bring Chucky back or not. I personaly think its inevitable, he will be back the return of Chucky isnt far away.
But if the Raiders do poorly then that means JRock probably didn't have a great season. What happens then? Chucky doesn't develop talent at the qb spot. He finds a vet qb and plugs him into the system. Not that I'm against that, but that would mean we would have to figure out what to do with JRocks massive contract.
Gruden's being extremely smart about everything he says about his past employer. I'm sure he thinks Al's a little strange but knows it does nothing for his job search. He's being very postive and I think owners want to see that. Not some young pissed off, jaded coach. I think Al is partial to Gruden. ALot of negativity rose to the surface in Tampa when he left though. The majority of the players didn't care for him. The one thing I didn't care for about him was he hung onto the older players way too long. He was probably my favorite Raider coach and anythings possible in the land of the Raider.
I think Gruden is about the only one in the media who gives the Raiders any props...now if the rest of the media could get on the same page,and quit hating and give us the respect we deserve...I know that we have not been that good for 6 years but come on the chefs,and the Lions are worst than us...also look at the lams and the bungles...
Gruden was a good coach,but Madden has to be my fav. ...and Flores has to be my second fav. ...
Facebook. haha nah.. jk . Darth has been very busy, but I do come here and read the posts often.. I just can't get into creating threads in the off-season.. Not that there is anything wrong with that because the majority of the Nation's threads are really good reading. I'm just more excited to post threads during the pre and regular season.. That is the time when the blood in my body has returned to it's venomous state..
Darth is in the Hizouse!!! whattup DArth...glad to hear your saving up your venom for the season...lol
I have always liked Gruden...and to anybody with an open mind...its obvious that JROCK is the #1...Gruden even had to dis Garcia a lil, when he said he fustrates him, because he doesnt take risk...YOu have to keep defenses guessing, cause if they dont fear the deep threat...then they can soley? (brain !art) concentrate on the box and getting pressure on the qb...
AS for the return of Chucky...Im still enjoying watching Cable...lol
The majority of the players didn't care for him. I think a reason for that is the way players expect coaches to treat them. Gruden is a good coach, but he was hard on the players when he had to be. He was loud, strict and probably frustrating at times. I like him as a coach and agree with most everyone else. If Cable doesn't work, bring back Gruden. But how many HCs are there that are similar to Gruden. Cable is a player's coach. norv turner is just a quiet awful HC. Jeff Fisher is another players coach. A lot of coaches these days seem to want to be someone the players like becuase they don't get loud and in your face. The only coach I see that's similar to Gruden is Mike Singletary. Both coaches don't give special treatment and if someone messes up, they don't hold back. They let the player know what went wrong, no sugar coating. I don't think tampa players realize that Gruden was hard on players, but he would do what was needed to be ready on sunday.
I think our guys would respond well to Chucky. I might be a shock for some going from Cable to Gruden, but I think Lechler and Janikowski would be able to talk to the lockerrom and let the rest of the players know what to expect and why he coaches the way he does.
Most succesful coaches are a holes to their players because respect is earned not given. Billicheck was hated by his players until they started winning under him. You look at just about anybody whos had success winning multiple Super Bowls and they where disciplinarians and didnt let you get away with anything.
Im an Oriole fan and I can tell you that Jim Palmer hated playing for Earl Weaver but Earl Weaver made Jim Palmer a hall of famer. He knew what buttons to push in Palmer and thats what makes a great coach, knowing your personnell and getting them to respond to you. Madden had it, Flores had it and Gruden had it as well.
He was probably my favorite Raider coachEven more than Madden? Nothing pleased me more than seeing big John running up and down the sidelines!!
I would have to go with Chuckie as my next favorite and that's probably why I was so mad at him when he parted ways with the Raiders. I loved his work ethic and intensity and the fact that he expected so much out of his players. I don't want to bring in a new head coach though. We have got to get some chemistry on this team!!
I've got my fingers crossed with Cable. I think he was an outstanding line coach and I hope he can transition into a great head coach. This is going to be a big year for JaMarcus Russell and Tom Cable. This team needs leadership on the field and on the sidelines and will be looking at both these guys to provide that (along with Nnamdi and others of course). Al Davis has little patience with his coaches and if Cable can't muster up a winning season, he may be one and done. If JR falters, he won't be able to wash out the bust stench that people already smell on him.
Translation if they dont turn it around this year, I will be back next year to turn it around Dev you read my mind !! Nothing against Cable, I like his intensity and what he has done so far and I hope he does turn this around, but . . . just in case . . .
Was there a "Darth Found Dead" thread going around?!? lmao!!! Don't worry. If I am ever struck down... I shall become more powerful than you ever imagined.. So... Looks like we got Greg Ellis.. good pickup.
come on guys what all this talk about bring back gruden give cable chance i said it befor big al hired him and i will say it again cable is the right man to return the Raiders back to their winning ways so i say give the man chance.
Nothing against Cable, I like his intensity and what he has done so far and I hope he does turn this around, but . . . just in case . . . I agree, i hope we dont need Gruden because that means Tom Cable blew it, but it is nice to know we have someone waiting in the wings who has a successfull history!!!
You know one thing I cant understand is why cant coaches swallow their pride. For instance say Cable fails and is fired he most certainly will get another offensive line job, why couldnt he just swallow his pride and stay here with a new coach if the new coach would have him and given the resume why wouldnt he want Cable as the offensive line coach?
I was just using that for instance by the way I dont want Cable to fail but I know as well as everyone else that Davis has and is becoming increasingly impatient with each passing year.
But again being honest IMO Gruden is drawing plays up in the sand imagining he had the Raiders current roster with the weapons that are waiting to develop here, because they have something that NONE of his teams have had and thats SPEED and speed at every position.
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haha nah.. jk . Darth has been very busy, but I do come here and read the posts often.. I just can't get into creating threads in the off-season.. Not that there is anything wrong with that because the majority of the Nation's threads are really good reading. I'm just more excited to post threads during the pre and regular season.. That is the time when the blood in my body has returned to it's venomous state.. 