Aren't those 6 points essentially facts though Ax? I suppose your list of negatives is 4x longer than mine, but in terms of the positives, can any of that be disputed?
Well, I'll touch on them one by one.
I think a fair acknowledgment would be as follows:
1) Gruden came into DC his first season, spoke the truth, made it clear the best player with the best work ethic would be under center.
He did come in saying the best players would play. Everywhere, not just under center. But I know I'm not alone in believing, for whatever the reason, he knew RGIII was not what he wanted very early on. I'd say before the regular season started. And then he failed to do what he said he would, for whatever reason. You know my stance has always been that the guaranteed contract gave him the power, and the cover, to make the move to #8 that 1st year. But he lacked to balls to do it.
So, part fact, part opinion. With no way of knowing how it actually went down.
2) Against intense fan and possibly even owner pressure, Gruden ignored his critics and moved on from RG3.
The team moving on is fact. Whether Gruden was the sole voice can't be proven. As stated above, I believed he lacked the sack. And we can't know the level of involvement of all involved, especially Mr McCloo.
So again, part fact, part opinion.
3) Gruden rallied his guys in year 2 to an incredible stretch of wins culminating in an NFC East championship and first home playoff game in eons.
It's a fact the team rallied. It's also a fact that a head coach will usually get the lions share of credit. The reality is, many things were involved in the rally. Not just Gruden. And in a year when the division title was laid out for the taking, it can be legitimately argued that poor coaching/decisions led to losses that would have changed the season to one that wouldn't have required the late rally.
So again, facts are present. But opinion is more prevalent.
4) Gruden helped grow Sean McVay and Kirk Cousins leading to record-shattering offensive performances.
Fact.
But as everyone knows, I'm not that high on stats. Having lofty numbers without reaching the main goal of good post season play, is like buying a pretty couch that no one is allowed to sit on. Looks good. But it's more useless than not.
5) Under Gruden, setting aside the last 30-60 days, the Redskins have had the quietest, most drama free run since Dan Snyder became owner.
Though I too share the thought about it being quieter, and drama free, it's impossible to give Gruden exclusive credit. So, eliminate the "Under Gruden" beginning, and I'm on board. However, this is strictly opinion. Just ask the jackals at the WP.
(6) Redskins have, under Gruden's leadership, had their first consecutive winning seasons in a long time.
Two consecutive winning seasons is a fact. I would say, during Gruden's tenure, is also fact. But I know I'm not the only one who questions his "leadership" ability. Yeah, it's a play on words. But the way you worded it suggests it's all credit goes to Gruden's leadership. And that is most definitely, opinion.
As for this...
Of course there are negatives. Some feel he was 'unprofessional' in his dealings with RG3 (although the proof is in the pudding on that front imho).
He was absolutely unprofessional in the way he talked about a player to the press. That it was about RGIII, is secondary. So I fail to see the pudding proof. It's wrong, and extremely rare for any head coach to do it like he did.The team faded down the stretch last year missing the playoffs. Gruden's ability to adjust after the half has been inconsistent.
You say inconsistent. I say non existent. He still struggles with clock and in-game management at times.
I would replace "at times", with a period. End of sentence. And he continues to have a tendency to abandon the run in games.
I would say he still demonstrates a disdain for the running game. Just as many former QB's tend to. Biggest valid criticism for me was his hiring of Joe Barry as DC - as there was no even decent proven track record to suggest Barry could build a successful NFL defense in DC. That decision cost us a chance at the post-season. How well the coaches he hired to replace those lost this offseason may determine if this is the last extension Gruden ever gets here.
Pretty much agree here. Though I was more vocally hopeful than some that he would succeed. Meaning that I was doing Koolaid shooters right up to the end.