![]() ![]() Then all of a sudden in the offseason he’s gone. We exited the playoffs - we all felt - prematurely that year. You know, we had a really good thing going. And we’re all back because we don’t know what could have been. I see all the guys that are back, that played under Gruden at some point. He had helped build - we are a pretty special team here. Woodson: Well again, I think it was his departure was premature. But, who knows?ĭo you think it was unfinished business for Gruden? ![]() We lost going to the Super Bowl in 2002 and weren’t able to execute and bring the Lombardi Trophy home. As a player I felt like wherever stop I was at, whether it was college or going over to Green Bay, that I was able to win a championship. I mean, that’s - that would be the only reason why I would even think about coaching, is the fact that I wasn’t able to win a championship here. The intriguing thing would be to come back and try to win a championship with Oakland. So, the guys on the team now, they will get a chance to witness that.ĭo you have any interest in joining the sidelines at some point? And I think that’s what Jerry (Rice) was talking about. But he just knew how to talk to you in a way that motivated you. He always had that, whenever you seen him, it was the scowl on his face. He has little ways of kind of taking a jab, you know. Woodson: Well, I think it’s just the way he interacts with you. What did Jon tap into you that you didn’t know you had? And if you’re not ready to jump on that train, maybe there’ll be another team for you or something else you can do. He’s going to come, and he’s going to try to hit the ground running. I don’t think Gruden’s going to come in here favoring or babying anybody. Woodson: Well, if you don’t respond, you got to go. How do you think players will react to Gruden’s coaching style? They’ll get a chance to see the grind up close. With him it’s “what you see is what you get.” But, you know, these guys - you see him on TV but you don’t … you don’t see him close up. Whether it’s in the booth or on the field. You know, he brings the same level of intensity to both. Is there a different Jon Gruden the coach and Jon Gruden the ESPN personality? So I think they’re still young and impressionable and, Gruden will bring the best out of them. Just thinking about the guys on the team and they’re young. You know, I was just sitting there talking to somebody earlier. So, I think the guys … really, they’re a very young team. And, that’s what they’ll have to be ready for. But, again man, he’s going to be very demanding of the team. So, he’ll be the most popular guy on the sideline. I think the one thing that will take them by surprise is the star life quality that Gruden has and the relationship he had with the fanbase when he was here. Woodson: Yeah, he’s coming for them, man. Is the team ready for Chucky to come after them? He will have to navigate this team and really truly find out what he has in the guys that he has here. See how you work with the new CBA, because the CBA is much different than when he played, when he coached the first time. I mean, guys still want to - they want to hear you talk. But still, you’ll have to gain the trust of your players. He’ll have a stud in Khalil Mack that he’ll get to work with. He’s watched Derek Carr, of course, closely. He’ll be meeting guys that he’s seen on TV. But I think with anybody you still got to earn trust, so he’ll be coming in here and he’ll be meeting guys that he’s met for the first time. Woodson: I think that’s with any relationship. But I think he’s, like I said, I think he’s prepared for it and ready to roll.ĭoes Gruden have to earn the team’s trust? And he’s been able to do that being in the booth for as many years as he has … (yells to Gruden in the distance) … Yeah, so, I’m sure things will be a little bit different. I mean, you go through life and you see things from a different perspective. I mean he came in, and he was, what, 36 years old? 34? He was a kid. So that will be fun to watch him grow under Jon Gruden.ĭo you think life’s perspective will make him different at all in his 20-year absence? I think he’s going to bring out whatever Derek Carr has in him. But the greatest benefactor is going to be Derek Carr. But I think, in my opinion, he’s great for the organization and great for the city. He’s worked Monday Night Football for years now. But he don’t have to go out there and get hit at all. Woodson: Yeah, I’m sure he still has the same energy. And, graciously, he spent 15 minutes with reporters. So it only made sense to get his take on things.
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