Rick Snider: Gruden and Zorn? Oh the irony
By: Rick Snider
Examiner Sports Columnist
October 26, 2009
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| Former Raiders and Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden, rumored to be the next coach of the Redskins, will call tonight's game as an analyst for Monday Night Football. (Getty Images) |
It's bad enough that Washington Redskins coach Jim Zorn's emasculation goes national on Monday Night Football. Now Zorn's potential successor, Jon Gruden, essentially debriefed him during pregame preparations.
The irony around the Redskins is thicker than a fat chain-smoker becoming U.S. Surgeon General.
First Zorn loses offensive playcalling to a consultant straight from the bingo halls of Michigan. Now he has a TV announcer who might soon be sitting at Zorn's desk asking questions.
You wonder if Gruden asked Zorn how big the office is, whether there's a trick to the hot water in the shower and where the secret exits are located. Could Zorn recommend a good local barber? How do you get one of those toll passes for the car? Oh, and leave the keys to that company car on the desk, will ya?
It's not Gruden's fault the former Tampa Bay and Oakland coach arrives on the eve of the game thought to be Zorn's last (before vice president Vinny Cerrato recently said the coach was safe through year's end). Like anyone believes that. Snyder told team employees when buying the club that he intended to keep everyone. Then the first Black Friday came and dozens of secretaries and staffers were fired.
But this couldn't have come at a worse time for Zorn and Gruden. Zorn doesn't especially wish to see the person who may succeed him. Gruden doesn't want to be restricted during the game for fear of everyone looking for double meanings.
Will every Gruden criticism double as a job interview? Is Gruden working for two employers -- ESPN and Snyder -- during this game?
At least Gruden will gain a glimpse of the black hole he might inherit -- the personnel problems on the field and in the front office. Should he actually take Snyder's potential offer in January, at least Gruden can't claim to be blindsided.
That is, if it ever gets to an offer. ESPN is expected to make a big move to retain Gruden, who has done very well in the ratings during his first season. The network can write as big a check as Snyder. Maybe Gruden will realize, like former Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher and even John Madden, that life is sweeter and much easier in the booth than working 120 hours a week.
Gruden wants to coach, though, and the Redskins are interested. Other teams will want Gruden, too. It should be good theater.
Indeed, so will the game. At least for a half before Philadelphia pulls away and viewers switch to CSI whatever. By the fourth quarter, whatever Gruden says may be heard by few Washingtonians.
The drama continues.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com or e-mail rsnider@washingtonexaminer.com.
