The Gruden Files - Year Two

[stevenaa]

Hell no OM. A coach should evaluate and make a decision. Gruden did that but didn't have the control to make a permanent change last year IMO. McL provided that control. That's what is most ironic. The same guys blasting Gruden for giving up on RG aren't taking McL to task for backing the play.

 

[fansince62]

Just to refine a little.

I see the failure of leadership part going back to draft day 2012 not just the current regime which was left holding the wet bag in 2014.

I assume you feel the same way regardless of your feelings toward Gruden.

depends on what you mean. if you mean we should have drafted linemen instead of griffin...not where I sit. I had had enough of atrocious QB play those many previous years and was ready to roll the dice. history has also shown, for those who argued that the team would have been better off with drafting linemen and keeping the draft picks, that the Rams haven't gotten very far doing just that. in short....it was a crap shoot either way.

anywho......life marches on. I think next year is going to be very exciting - that's when we'll learn what we really have. that's one of my take-aways from 2012

 

[fansince62]

And for another point of view...

Washington's Jay Gruden should be coach of the decade - Orlando Sentinel

As well as he's done this season, Jay Gruden should not be NFC coach of the year. He should be coach of the decade.

Gruden did the truly impossible.

He ended Dan Snyder's man crush on Robert Griffin III and lived to tell about it. Almost as amazing, Gruden turned Kirk Cousins into a touchdown machine.

Gruden's Job One was to turn Griffin into Steve Young. The coach quickly concluded that was impossible. More importantly, Gruden detected that the locker room resented how RG3 had been coddled.

pffft. coach of the year should be the Texans coach....he didn't have a QB to work with.

 

[stevenaa]

depends on what you mean. if you mean we should have drafted linemen instead of griffin...not where I sit. I had had enough of atrocious QB play those many previous years and was ready to roll the dice. history has also shown, for those who argued that the team would have been better off with drafting linemen and keeping the draft picks, that the Rams haven't gotten very far doing just that. in short....it was a crap shoot either way.

anywho......life marches on. I think next year is going to be very exciting - that's when we'll learn what we really have. that's one of my take-aways from 2012

I was totally behind the pick for the same reason. Hindsight is 20/20. It was worth the risk. Just unfortunate all the way around how it worked out.

 

[TomE]

While I didn't like the price I was onboard with the drafting of Griff too, what I didn't like was what transpired from then and perhaps events just prior. Capgate, messiah complex, social media innuendo, broken knee and bad ankle, 'running QB's can't win', the circus, no adaptation and all other events leading to his eventual manning of the third spot.

Thom Loverro coined the phrase 'shock and awe' prior to Griffs first game against the Saints, figuring after the mundane preseason performances that Shanny was holding back on what the kid was going to bring to the game. His caveat.... he feared that somehow the organization would once again screw up things....they did.

 

[redskins26]

Well, suffice it to say that he NEVER believed in Griffin.

Just like he doesn't believe in Morris.

To say he doesn't believe in either is a stretch.

 

[redskins26]

Well, Gruden was completely wrong about Reed. Only injuries to other TE's showed how wrong Gruden was.

Wrong about his injury history?

 

[Om]

Well, Gruden was completely wrong about Reed. Only injuries to other TE's showed how wrong Gruden was.

Yeah I'm kinda curious exactly what you think he was wrong about?


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[Boone]

This thread is embarassing.


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[riggins44]

Couple more thoughts on the QB situation. First, Gruden took a big leap of faith by naming Cousins his starter at beginning of season. If Cousins failed then right now we are having discussion on who our new coach will be.

A big thing missing is the good that came out of benching Griffin. I don't mean the wins. Rather I think this has forced Griffin to mature. He stayed off social media instead of pouting and spewing things in the media. From this his teammates and media has gained some respect for him. This may only help Griffin in the future.

 

[MikeSr619]

This thread is embarassing.


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it always goes to personal agendas. whether its a hatred of Gruden, a pounding of your chest telling everyone how right you are, arguing because you are so entrenched in your idea, etc, etc, etc.

I am still not 100% sold on Gruden. But to try and act like he hasn't had a hand in righting the drama and production of the team would be stupid of me. I think he has earned his right to be here at least next year, and along with a great draft by Scot he should continue to get better. is he Gibbs? No, but not many ever will be.

 

[redskins26]

Couple more thoughts on the QB situation. First, Gruden took a big leap of faith by naming Cousins his starter at beginning of season. If Cousins failed then right now we are having discussion on who our new coach will be.

A big thing missing is the good that came out of benching Griffin. I don't mean the wins. Rather I think this has forced Griffin to mature. He stayed off social media instead of pouting and spewing things in the media. From this his teammates and media has gained some respect for him. This may only help Griffin in the future.

you are correct he has been in the film room asking questions and staying late studying defenses. The more he learns this season the better he will be in the future

it was reported early in2012 that he didn't know how to read defenses and wouldn't study film even last year the same things were said
he is still probably the most talented athlete on the roster.

 

[Elephant]

El....this is a complex issue. You're the one invested in being "right".

I am so glad I am not as cynical as you. I am happy to see the playoffs, and attend the game. I am happy there has not been a media firestorm of drama surrounding this team since game 1. I am happy there is an obvious upward mobility to the franchise that is getting play in the national media. I am happy our QB started all 16 games.

I'm happy!

 

[redskins26]

Try to follow along.

https://twitter.com/Snide_Remarks/status/680979594254626816

It wasn't a secret Paulsen was going to be the starter.

he was oft injured and even missed the first 3 games of the preseason. He had potential but was considered fragile

 

[Boone]

See - what you see as a negative with Gruden, I think was masterful handling of a player with issues. Gruden made it clear, he wasn't going to rely on a guy who'd shown up until this season, that he was completely unreliable. Gruden has always acknowledged Reed's immense talent. The issue he had with Reed was the same one most Redskins fans had with him - his seeming lack of toughness. Gruden was communicating (imho) directly to Reed that it doesn't matter how talented you are, if you cannot demonstrate toughness, durability, and the ability to stay on the field despite taking physical punishment, you can't be relied on.

And that was the truth.

How can anyone view the results of that approach as somehow dishonest or unsuccessful. It was the truth and we now have seen what Reed did in response to that understanding. He exploded this year and not only was able to stay on the field for most of the year, he showed a physicality and toughness with the ball that was no where to be seen prior to this year.

It's not a head coaches job to coddle players, blow sunshine up their ass, or crown them starters for life if they aren't producing or can't get the job done. It mystifies me that some of you find this a basis for criticism, since it's what most fans have recognized has held this franchise back for years.

 

[Boone]

You mean kinda like RG3?

No, had Paulsen stayed healthy and played adequately, Reed was going to ride the bench and likely end up on another team without much more of a look.

Gruden => Genius on RG3 decision.

Gruden < Not so genius on judging Reed.

Just the facts.

He judged him perfectly apparently. The kid needed a kick in the ass and a wakeup call. He got it and look what has transpired. The only difference between Reed and Griffin? Griffin didn't respond.

The criticism in this thread and elsewhere of our head coach during a week we are crowned NFC East champs and are preparing for a home playoff game is ****ing bizarre.

And we could do without the snarky, disrespectful 'Try to follow along'. You're better than that.

 

[Boone]

This is conjecture on your part.

Paulsen had bulked up, was looking to bolster the position, and Gruden, in my view (which BTW is as valid as your opinion) was on the same track they put RG3 on.

Gruden thought Paulsen was the answer and Reed wasn't. As I said, had Paulsen played and played well, Reed was likely gone without another look.

You post a tweet by Rick Snider (who forgive me, is a nice guy, but he isn't even covering the Redskins seriously anymore) as if that makes it a fact and I'm conjecturing? No NFL coach is looking at Logan Paulsen, I don't care if he looks like Andre the Giant, and thinking to himself 'now THAT's my tight end of the future!'. Paulsen had a horrible 2014 season if you recall. You're right - had Niles Paul (coming into camp reportedly determined to have a breakout season and in the best shape of his life) not suffered a season-ending injury, there's no telling what would've happened. But Gruden is a smart guy. He saw the flashes of brilliance in Reed and what could be fatal flaws just like most of us did. He made it clear, just like Joe Gibbs did on numerous occasions, that 'the greatest ability is availability' and that if Reed couldn't stay healthy, fight through injuries, and stay on the field, it didn't matter how talented he was.

Reed apparently got the message.

And don't confuse having a right to an opinion as all opinions being equally valid. Sometimes someone is right and someone is wrong. I feel pretty good about what I've been saying about this team all year compared to most here.

 

[Boone]

And stuff like, " this thread is embarrassing" really doesn't add to a pleasant tone, does it?

There plenty of condescending and opinions to go around.

It's a message board.

I guess we should just all rally around the pom-poms, forget any errors from the past, and chide anyone with a good memory.

These posts are ****ing embarrassing. Honestly - I don't know what is wrong with some of you. Pot-stirring even this week? We're about to play a home playoff game and dragging our head coach through the mud for the gazillionth time is the best you can do? It's embarrassing to see.

And since you feel the need to tell me what the site I run and pay for is about, and what snark is and what it isn't, you can enjoy the playoffs and unmitigated posting freedom on some other site.

 

[Chris]

I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to.

 

[Elephant]

This is conjecture on your part.

Paulsen had bulked up, was looking to bolster the position, and Gruden, in my view (which BTW is as valid as your opinion) was on the same track they put RG3 on.

Gruden thought Paulsen was the answer and Reed wasn't. As I said, had Paulsen played and played well, Reed was likely gone without another look.

I guess we should just all rally around the pom-poms, forget any errors from the past, and chide anyone with a good memory.

Good memory? You're suggesting Gruden was going to start Paulsen over Reed...Niles Paul was named starter at the TE position, not Logan Paulsen. At no time was Logan Paulsen ever named starter.