This is getting to be trend .A broadcasting career seems to be a much cushier and secure job than coaching for those who have the talent to pull if off and Gruden is certainly among those. It makes you wonder if Cowher or Dungy would fall in the same category .We may be facing some limited choices among retreads and top assistant coaches. Someone that stutters in front of the cameras .
Its win/win from ESPN side.....but can still see Gruden's phone ringing off the hook from NFL franchise saying now is the time to strike!
Oh I agree with you there. I think the fire clearly still burns with that guy. I don't know if he's doing that stuff for the sole purpose of returning to coaching, though. I think he's a football junkie at his core and will be doing that kind of stuff until he dies or burns out. The 2012 part of SICK's post makes me reconsider my initial reaction. I think it'll be hard for him to pass if we're assured Andrew Luck and Ross offers full control. First and foremost, this is a good business decision for him and a great leverage move. Nothing like having highly lucrative options.
ESPN would never play hardball with anyone trying to leave for coaching. It would discourage guys from taking jobs with ESPN, and they have such a large pool of talent that it wouldn't be worth the bad rep among coaches.
Indeed. They could simply slide one of their 800 former players/coaches over next to Jaws. Sound logic though. It's the same as an organization allowing its coaches/front office to interview for promotions which, ironically, Gruden's regime was notorious for denying. People talk.
"I know everyone talks about how I love every pastry, but this is quite frankly the best doughnut I have ever had the pleasure of eating. No flour concerns. Strong filling. First to rise in the oven while the others were lounging about. I've scouted a lot of doughnuts since I left coaching, but this one is going to have a great career in my GI tract."
I wouldn't be surprised if ESPN was pushing this because they don't want to keep playing the same "will he, won't he" game every off season. He's an important part of the Monday Night Football team, and for broadcasting, Monday Night Football is still a HUGE deal. They paid through the roof to get the broadcast rights for MNF and Gruden is the key to it. Jaws doesn't add anything and Tirico is certainly replaceable. I know people find it difficult to imagine ESPN playing hard ball with a guy that wants to go back to coaching but I don't find that so hard to believe, personally...based on the money involved and the nature of the situation. What it looks to me like is the ESPN people know the Miami job is out there, they know Ross is looking hard at Gruden and Gruden looking hard at getting back into it, and they want this off season to be the off season where Gruden makes a decision...and if he decides to stay, then he's staying for the long haul. They want some security. And it's definitely no coincidence the announcement of the decision comes the same day he's doing another Miami broadcast, where in the first Dolphins broadcast he practically slavered over the Miami job.
Fellas, once a coach drops anchor in a chair, and makes millions just talking, they lose their interest in the 20 hr day a coach has, who was the last HC turned Talking Head, who went back to being a Head Coach? Only one that comes to mind is Parcells back in the early 90's or so. Sounds like Fisher is the only name guy who has not really dropped anchor into a talking head chair. I don't mind Fisher, but do not think he is who we need, FisherBall and WannyBall were very similar.
Does anyone have any tangible evidence that Gruden *wants* to get back into coaching? It's nice to say the guy still gets up at 4 AM to study film but that doesn't mean he's dying to get back into coaching. He's a football junkie. Perhaps he enjoys the setup he has now.
What with ESPN signed on to hold MNF for the next 10 years (?) this is perfect for Chucky and if it doesn't take effect til after this season so much the better for him, smart move! In the end I'll wager he stays on this Honey train, why?, no pressure!
Wannyball wasn't that horrible compared to where we are now. Plus, give Wannyball a very good QB and we might have had run with him as HC. He was a numbnut, but we were fighting for playoff spots with him as HC.
ESPN has a reputation of playing hard ball. They hate (HATE) when one of their personalities becomes a story. HATE IT. So they've heard all the same things we have, and for all the reasons you mentioned, decided to make him an offer. My guess is, just based off what I know of ESPN, they only gave him that "out" so to speak, so it doesn't appear as though they're playing hard ball. The only thing they hate more than one of their personalities becoming a story is becoming a story themselves. Or I could be wrong and this was all Gruden and his agents doing. Either way, it's mutually beneficial to Gruden and ESPN IMO.
It's pinball out there now. It's no coincidence that we're seeing such an explosion in passing statistics IMO. NFL wants it that way. Maybe if/when defenses predominantly shift towards defending it can you go back to a ground-heavy attack. But right now that offensive mentality is behind the times. You don't draft a franchise QB to play Wannyball in this NFL. You draft him to sling it all over the yard. It's like Dan Marino said to Dave Hyde on Sunday. "I'd throw for 5000 yards every year under these rules." To contend in 2011, you gotta win up front and throw the ball IMHO. Best teams in the league are doing both.
That 'non-compete' clause is to keep him with ESPN and not with NBC or Fox. I don't think it has anything to do with him going back into coaching other than he can continue to be very, very selective with whomever is talking to him. The question is what exactly does the 'non-compete' clause cover? Is is strictly regarding other broadcasting/media companies or does it have some type of language to keep him there (say for at least one more season). I say this because the article said that perspective employers can "cross this guy off coaching candidate list for 2012". What exactly does that really mean ?? If Ross wants him bad enough and Gruden is open to leaving that job, he can be had, I'm sure... Either way, I think it's a good move for ESPN. Certainly, the trio they have now is by far the best they've had in many years, perhaps ever. I liked Madden, but his schtick got old after a while. I don't see Gruden and Jaws schtick getting old since they are overall far more superior in football knowledge than the past guys.
Could it be that our boy, Ross has been in contact with Gruden and the 'rumors' that we heard were more substantial ?? Could Ross have actually done things right this time by contacting someone without letting the press know ??? Maybe he learned a thing or two ??
I'm more inclined to think that maybe some coaches want nothing to do with Ross. Can't say I would blame them.
Rumor has it anyway, what they learn is "if" they skip out on the long long days, there is no penalty, coaches live off of the idea that if they do not do that work, and are not prepped, then they let "their guys" down, once that is removed...and they make millions on top of it...life is quite good. They can love the game, they just don't love it as much as no one is absolutely depending upon them anymore. Keep in mind, a HC has to self scout their team, then scout the other team, then draw up a gameplan, then review it, then implement it in practices, and then watch the film to make sure so and so is doing it right. Offseason...then they watch yet more film on the guys on their draft boards, this is after evals of the players to see who is replacable. Compared to...maybe 5 hrs prep time? Enough so to scratch the itch, they see who is doing what well, who is doing poorly, but they never have to cut anyone anymore or do interviews or what have you. It takes a bonfire of desire to be a NFL coach KM
ESPN has to cover itself here. Why would the jets/patriots let Gruden sit in on their practices, coaching sessions, watch tape with their guys.....if theres a heavy possibility that in a couple months hes the head coach of the Miami Dolphins? They needed to lock him up, or else teams would seriously start reconsidering giving him access in November/December.
That extension means nothing if he decides he wants to coach again. He would make much more money as a head coach in the NFL. And I'm pretty confident there is an escape clause in his contract that would let him leave the studio to be on the side line. I would rather have Cowher, but I wouldn't mind Gruden. No potential NFL coach is going to concrete themselves in to a deal that they can't get out of when it comes to doing what they love to do.
curious curious curious timing... did I mention it was curious? I think Sick is on top of this one within this thread. A couple of very valid points there. A clause that would take him out of the contract if he's offered a coaching job (vs another TV gig). And an access situation with him and the rest of the season if he doesn't "commit" to TV right now.
Im so sick if having a wuss for a head coach... Get me Gruden damnit...we're practicing hell Ill pay the fine!!! We need Chuckie!!!
