5 reasons why Raiders will fail with Jon Gruden

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TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 30: Coach Jon Gruden of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers directs play against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on November 30, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) /

3. Gruden hasn’t coached in a decade

Imagine retiring from your current profession. Now imagine jumping back into that profession a decade removed, hoping for a seamless transition.

This is what Jon Gruden is attempting to do in the NFL, perhaps the most competitive entity in North American sports. Gruden was successful in his first tour as a head coach, the pinnacle being a Super Bowl XXXVII win over the Raiders when he was with the Buccaneers. Since that moment, Gruden has not won another playoff game.

For Oakland to believe that Gruden is the savior is both presumptuous and dangerous. The Raiders desperately need to have momentum and star-power going into Las Vegas come 2020, and Gruden only guarantees the latter. In that vein, if the franchise goes through a couple of middling years under Gruden, who in Sin City is going to be clamoring to see him stomp around on the sideline?

To overlook his time away from football — and, no, his time in the broadcasting booth doesn’t keep him involved on the same level — would be an absurd oversight. Gruden has been out of touch with trends, technology, assistant coaches and the college game for quite some time. It’s idiocy to think that doesn’t matter.