Go Ahead And Rip Me - But Gruden Is Good

[Fletch]

I know there are few things that get us riled up as much as announcers but I really like Gruden. He's glib, honest and knows his stuff. I can see him saying some pretty controversial things because he gets caught up in the moment but he's passionate and it shows.

We will probably get a sense if he plays favorites down the road either real or perceived but he's an upgrade and a much needed breath of fresh air on ESPN.

I love the acquistion of John Gruden. Great pick up for MNF. He is very detailed on plays and breaks them down well. Plus, he has a knack for being funny when it's time to be funny.

A breath of fresh air.

 

[AbeBeta]

He is good. He'd be better with better guys around him.

 

[Hostile]

It was a good debut. I am interested in hearing him week 3 against the Panthers. I have heard he wants to be our next coach pretty badly. No idea if that is true or not.

 

[RainMan]

I wanted to post my own response before reading every one else's, just so my post wouldn't be influenced by the popular majority. But I'll eagerly read what everyone else thinks after posting this quick thought.

I agree with the OP wholeheartedly. It took me 10 minutes of listening to Gruden last Thursday (Steelers-Cardinals game) to know I absolutely loved him in the MNF booth.

I still find Tirico dry (but listenable) and Jaws annoying (but insightful), but I can really listen to Gruden all game. He's funny without forcing things, and he oozes knowledge that I as a fan wouldn't always pick up on.

My two cents at least.

 

[Fletch]

It was a good debut. I am interested in hearing him week 3 against the Panthers. I have heard he wants to be our next coach pretty badly. No idea if that is true or not.

Wouldn't hurt my feelings if Wade is on his way out.

 

[Khartun]

My wife said she'd hit it. I'm just sayin'.

Haha, my wife has the hots for Chucky as well.

I though he did a great job on the broadcast last night. He was a bit over the top on the Wildcat issue but that passion will make him more interesting to listen to during MNF.

 

[Khartun]

Sometimes three is just to many to have in the booth at one time. It can be great with the right people, but it can also become a shouting match.

I'm just glad Kornheiser is gone.

THIS^^

He was absolutely the worst person in a booth since Paul Maguire.

 

[skinsscalper]

And I disagree 100% about your opinion of Jaws. I know, I know, he was an Eagle. But this guy is at or near the top of analysts and X's and O's of the NFL game. His voice inflection, the ebb and flow of his "drama" delivery is a bit agitating, but he's hardly ever wrong in his analysis. He's a gamer who knows the game, and other "analyst's" would do good to just listen to what Jaws says, and repeat it. Then, people will think they know what they're talking about.

QFT. It's hard to give props to an Iggle but, as far as game analysis, he's the best in the business right now. He can be annoying, especially when he's crackin on the Cowboys shortcomings, but he's right far more often than he's wrong.

Oh, and +1 on the Gruden topic. Absolutely love that guy.

 

[Doomsday101]

I know there are few things that get us riled up as much as announcers but I really like Gruden. He's glib, honest and knows his stuff. I can see him saying some pretty controversial things because he gets caught up in the moment but he's passionate and it shows.

We will probably get a sense if he plays favorites down the road either real or perceived but he's an upgrade and a much needed breath of fresh air on ESPN.

I have no problem with Gruden covering the games on MNF, he is doing a better job than many others ESPN has thrown out there.

 

[Hostile]

Wouldn't hurt my feelings if Wade is on his way out.

This is the final year of his contract and there's been no offer of an extension. I doubt there will be one.

 

[rickwil61]

I recently saw the "America's Game" program on NFL Network that covered the Tampa Bay Bucs when they won the superbowl. I have a ton of respect for Tony Dungy but Gruden seemed to give them that extra kick in the pants they needed to get over the top. The guy seemed to bring some needed life and attitude. I don't really understand why the Bucs fell off to mediocrity after their superbowl win. Did Warren Sapp leaving have that much of an impact?

 

[CATCH17]

I love Grudens football personality but I can not stand the way he calls a football game.

His offensive schemes are soooooo frustrating.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I love Grudens football personality but I can not stand the way he calls a football game.

His offensive schemes are soooooo frustrating.

Plus, everyone says he absolutely wears people out pretty quickly with his "intensity". Even Broaddus said people get tired of his tough guy act and how he says one thing to people's faces and another behind their backs, and he's a friend who was in Gruden's wedding.

I think there's a pretty good chance he's a better TV commentator than coach.

 

[Hostile]

I do think Notre Dame will fire Charlie Weis this year and hire Gruden.

 

[alancdc]

I was thinking last night that I liked the guy.

 

[CATCH17]

I do think Notre Dame will fire Charlie Weis this year and hire Gruden.

I think so too if Weis has a bad year. But Notre Dame has to be tired of paying coaches millions who aren't even coaching their team.

But i've always thought the day Gruden is available that Notre Dame would drop everything to get him.

His offense would be extremely tough for college kids to grasp though.

 

[Chief]

I liked him Oakland. I liked him in Tampa. And I like him in the booth. A huge improvement on Kornholer..............

And I disagree 100% about your opinion of Jaws. I know, I know, he was an Eagle. But this guy is at or near the top of analysts and X's and O's of the NFL game. His voice inflection, the ebb and flow of his "drama" delivery is a bit agitating, but he's hardly ever wrong in his analysis. He's a gamer who knows the game, and other "analyst's" would do good to just listen to what Jaws says, and repeat it. Then, people will think they know what they're talking about.

Jaws knows football and he knows X's and O's.

It's just a personal thing.

But I can't stand the guy. His personality is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me. He's a know-it-all who injects too much of himself into his analysis. "When I played, .... "

 

[Chief]

Plus, everyone says he absolutely wears people out pretty quickly with his "intensity". Even Broaddus said people get tired of his tough guy act and how he says one thing to people's faces and another behind their backs, and he's a friend who was in Gruden's wedding.

I think there's a pretty good chance he's a better TV commentator than coach.

I think you're right.

There are enough mediocre coaches around.

NFL fans need him in the booth. Madden is gone. Somebody has to take the baton.

 

[AbeBeta]

I do think Notre Dame will fire Charlie Weis this year and hire Gruden.

I think they would try. But I have a feeling that Gruden is going to be the top target for many NFL teams next year. Possibly even in our division.

 

[Aikmaniac]

He was much better last night than he was last week. I will check that off as being out of his element.

The guy does get you excited about the game. After good plays, you can hear his voice inflection getting higher and higher.

He would be great in the booth, but he'll be back in coaching next year. I wouldn't be surprised if it's in Big D. He has always loved that Notre Dame job, though.