Jay Gruden wasted little time Thursday burying concerns over the demise of the read option in Washington, D.C.
Silver: A tale of two quarterbacks
Michael Silver says Jay
Gruden's move from Cincy to Washington D.C. greatly impacts Robert Griffin III and Andy Dalton. **READ**
After being introduced as the new coach of the Redskins, Gruden told reporters of the read-option attack: "I love it. I think it's part of football now."
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported earlier in the day that Robert Griffin III was excited to play in a pro-style offense under Gruden, but there's no denying the quarterback's talents on the ground.
One major takeaway from Gruden's first grilling from reporters was that tangible hint of flexibility -- more than expected -- from a coach who opted for Andy Dalton over Colin Kaepernick because, as Gruden recently stated, he "wasn't really into the read-option stuff."
Here's what else we learned:
- "I don't know what happened last year, I don't care what happened last year," Gruden said, before telling scribes: "I hear, but I don't really believe all the reports that you report."
Not the smoothest start to his first meeting with the Redskins press corps, but he drew plenty of chuckles here in the NFL Media newsroom with his smattering of Jon Gruden-esque lingo. "Alls they want to do is win," Jay said of the Redskins' brain trust. "Alls I care about is next year, moving forward."
- "Robert's a great quarterback," Gruden said of Griffin. "I see a ton of talent. I see a guy that can run. I see a guy that can move and maneuver in the pocket. I see accuracy, I see long-ball accuracy, I see toughness ... and I see a strong leader. I see every trait that a quarterback has to have to be successful. I see Robert having all of those, so why wouldn't you want to coach a guy like that? I'm excited to coach (him) and hopefully he's excited to play here."
Gruden also acknowledged: "I have not talked to Robert. I look forward to it, though."
- On Thursday's podcast, we questioned why Gruden, per reports, would keep Jim Haslett anchored as his defensive coordinator. Gruden ultimately refused to name anyone to the post. He told the room he planned to sit down with Mike Shanahan's retained assistants before deciding who stays and who goes.
- Asked about tweets suggesting that tight ends coach Sean McVay had been elevated to offensive coordinator, Gruden quipped: "Nice. Good for Sean."
- One positive indicator for Haslett? Gruden said the Redskins are built for the 3-4 defense and he'd "love" to keep that scheme considering the players in place.
- General manager Bruce Allen confirmed that he'll hold final say over the roster -- calling it "my responsibility" -- but he described the process of picking players a "group effort."
- Asked when it first sunk in that he'd finally become a head coach, Gruden said: "About now."
Welcome to the show, younger sibling of Chuckie.
The latest "Around The League Podcast" featured a very special in-studio visit from Bears star Brandon Marshall.
