Raiders Make a Gamble, and Jon Gruden Cashes In

Well, one thing's for sure: the Oakland Raiders know how to make a splash.

I have no idea what's going to happen with new coach Jon Gruden, but the experiment definitely won't be boring.

To start, I'll never doubt Gruden's football acumen. If you're going to hire someone who's been out of coaching for a decade, it may as well be someone who is well-connected, devours game film, and is very plugged into the college football landscape (to the point of weirding out would-be rookie quarterbacks).

I think the best-case result for this Gruden hire is a Raiders version of Steve Kerr: a guy who has great mentors and connections, slowly builds up his portfolio, and then inherits a perfect situation with a game-changing leader (Derek Carr).

But, boy ... between the 10-year, $100 million contract and the Raiders' move to Las Vegas, this has all-time flop potential.

Oh well. It's not my money.

Godspeed, Mr. Gruden and Mr. Davis.

Fix Derek Carr, and maybe get a revenge win over the Patriots, and I'll be happy.

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