Gruden...Like him?

[chiefhog44]

I do more and more. I LOVE his honesty. He doesn't come across as an ass when he says it either. Reminds me of his brother that way. It's matter of fact with no axe to grind. Either you played well or you didn't. There's no free lunch for top players either. Too often coaches here have protected feelings of the players in this franchise. Gibbs had success doing it, but not many others have. When you have a lot of big names but underperformance from them, it's refreshing to have them called out.

I also think he called a great game. Not only were the Texans keeping everything in front of them and making the Skins be patient, they also had a sick pass rush. So as a counter, Gruden called a lot of screens and quick slants / crosses. Other wise, they would have ended up with a ton more sacks. The fact the Watt only had one sack is testament to that. This game was lost by players not playing. Not on the coaches. They needed to win a low scoring game and when you have two fumbles inside the 10 and a blocked punt for a TD, that's enough.

He also is handling Griffin exceptional. Not singing his praises, not coddling him, but just calling it as he sees it. He is forcing Griffin to play in an area that he is uncomfortable playing right now...from the pocket. That will ONLY help down the road. Griffin actually played pretty good considering the pass rush, the game plan, and a new offense. He wasn't great, but he played well and did not take any unnecessary hits. To throw 29 passes without a INT is pretty tough to do in this league. I understand there were a lot were short passes, but he was patient, and learned a ton.

All in all, I really like his game planning, I like his honesty, the way he's handling Griffin, and I like the coaching staff he's assembled. I think we have a solid core. Continue to build on that I think we'll be good. Finish the season strong, add some players, and I really have a good feeling about where this is headed.

[oneman56]

So far I absolutely like him and, like you, I like his honesty and that he's willing to answer questions while being transparent with his opinion. We'll see how it plays out over the weeks but I do like the guy.

As for the play calling, i also agree. I've read a lot of posts on here about the play calling sucking and use your talents and blah blah blah. If you watched that game and re-watch it you can see that there wasn't a lot of time for deep balls and chunk yardage plays, I also think Alfred gets more carries if they could've extended any of their 1st quarter drives. Losing Reed hurt, sounds like he was huge part of the game plan. If you want to nitpick and find some bad calls i'm sure you can but the game was there to be won if Helu doesn't have a brain fart and we don't give up two dumb fumbles. With that being said, the offense definitely needs work and improvement (we should still score more than 6 points with 2 turnovers) and i think we'll see improvement but to chide the 1st game's game planning (when that game plan is one that would've won the game with better execution) without observing what our o-line provided and what the d was taking away is rediculous. Had we won that game and RGIII completes almost 80% of his passes i'm betting most people have a different opinion of the game.

The only part i disagree with you on is that I think RGIII took some unnecessary hits on a few occasions where he could've thrown the ball away while outside of the pocket or stayed in the pocket instead of running so early (right into Watt). I think the inside push got to him and he took his eyes off the WR's too early, can't say I blame him though.

[riggofan]

I've read a lot of posts on here about the play calling sucking and use your talents and blah blah blah. If you watched that game and re-watch it you can see that there wasn't a lot of time for deep balls and chunk yardage plays, I also think Alfred gets more carries if they could've extended any of their 1st quarter drives.

I don't have a strong opinion on Gruden yet myself. But its pretty clear he's kind of breath of fresh air after Shanahan.

[StorminMormon86]

ey confirmed that Gruden was "taking what the Texans" were giving them. Thus the reasons for the slants and screens. And I loved his honesty and non-coach speak in the post game presser. He's light years ahead of Shanahan in terms of communicating what needs to be said. He doesn't seem like a b.s.'er either.

[SkinsJock]

here's a pretty good article/blog by Keim ...

http://espn.go.com/blog/washington-reds ... est-policy

[Deadskins]

The only problem I had with the play calling was going away from the run so early. It's not like we were way down and had to pass to catch up. There was plenty of time. I say pound it at them until they prove they can stop it.

[riggofan]

The only problem I had with the play calling was going away from the run so early. It's not like we were way down and had to pass to catch up. There was plenty of time. I say pound it at them until they prove they can stop it.

I heard one of the radio guys comment on that after the game on Sunday. He rightly pointed out that this happens ALL THE TIME with coordinators and coaches around the league. (That was one of the big weekly complaints with Kyle wasn't it?) Just thought that was so spot on. Not sure if its the coaches feeling like they've got to maintain balance, or spread the ball around to all of these different guys or what.

You're right though. The one thing I took from the preseason was MAN, it looks like we might be able to run the ball this year. They were doing it on Sunday, really wish we'd stuck with it!

[SkinsJock]

I don't think that Gruden had a very good first day but I think he will be fine ...

we had a lot of issues and basically the coaches and the players had 'a bad day at the office' - it happens

I liked how well we ran the ball and I think the defense showed a lot - hell, they were on the field an awful lot for their first game

it was good to see them playing again and I think Gruden will show that he's a really good HC

[markshark84]

I don't like coaches for what they say in press conferences.
I don't like coaches based on their coaching philosophy.
I don't like coaches because of who their brother is.
I don't like coaches because they are a "nice guy".
I don't like coaches because the players love him.
I don't like coaches because they have incredible charisma.

There are 2 qualities that cause me to like a coach:
1. Winning
2. Being ethical

If he does those 2 things, I'll like him. The jury is still out.

[riggofan]

I don't like coaches for what they say in press conferences.
I don't like coaches based on their coaching philosophy.
I don't like coaches because of who their brother is.
I don't like coaches because they are a "nice guy".
I don't like coaches because the players love him.
I don't like coaches because they have incredible charisma.

There are 2 qualities that cause me to like a coach:
1. Winning
2. Being ethical

If he does those 2 things, I'll like him. The jury is still out.

I know what you're saying. Do you think you would like a winning Jay Gruden more than you would a winning Mike Shanahan?

Jay Gruden seems like he has some of those qualities you listed. It would be awesome if he can top it off by being a winning coach as well.

[markshark84]

I don't like coaches for what they say in press conferences.
I don't like coaches based on their coaching philosophy.
I don't like coaches because of who their brother is.
I don't like coaches because they are a "nice guy".
I don't like coaches because the players love him.
I don't like coaches because they have incredible charisma.

There are 2 qualities that cause me to like a coach:
1. Winning
2. Being ethical

If he does those 2 things, I'll like him. The jury is still out.

I know what you're saying. Do you think you would like a winning Jay Gruden more than you would a winning Mike Shanahan?

I'd like the coach with the better winning record.

[Mirttinur]

I think the its too soon to judge. He's definitely the least flashy coach we've had in awhile which as a Redskins fan is hard to adjust to . He's not a strategic innovator like the Shanahan's were but he seems to be a guy with good relationships with his players and does a lot of the little things right.

[Deadskins]

He's definitely the least flashy coach we've had in awhile

Jim Zorn was flashy? Who knew?

[riggofan]

I'd like the coach with the better winning record.

haha. Fair enough!

[StorminMormon86]

He's definitely the least flashy coach we've had in awhile

Jim Zorn was flashy? Who knew?

A lot of women (and men) were horny for Zorny...so yes, that classifies as flashy.

[markshark84]

He's definitely the least flashy coach we've had in awhile

Jim Zorn was flashy? Who knew?

A lot of women (and men) were horny for Zorny...so yes, that classifies as flashy.

HIP HIP HOORAY!!!

HIP HIP HOORAY!!!

HIP HIP HOORAY!!!

[Irn-Bru]

With Gruden, it's so far, so good, I think. Unlike Spurrier and Zorn, he's a first-time NFL head coach that actually looks ready for the role. I like to think I am patient, and my rule of thumb is to give a new guy 2-3 years before I have any firm opinion on him. He's going to be learning a lot and will need time to adapt.

[langleyparkjoe]

Chief. I really like Gruden, can't front about it.
I like his play calling and the play distribution.
I appreciate the fact we went out and got talent to fit HIS plays.