Jon Gruden's Comments About Antonio Brown Should Worry Raiders Fans
By Sean Facey
The Oakland Raiders' chemistry is already taking a turn for the worse at OTAs.
In wake of Antonio Browns absence, Jon Gruden made some suspect comments that should have Raiders fans worrying about the upcoming season.
"I'm not going to get into the relationship business," said Gruden when asked about Brown's chemistry with the team. “I think Brown is a great guy. I love having him here. Derek is a great guy. You can’t rush a relationship. You just don’t have a great relationship in three weeks or two months. It’s something that you’ve got to earn and you’ve got to really work and, and that’s why it’s important that we spend time together. I’m a little worn out with all the relationships and all the things that really don’t matter right now.”
Unfortunately for Gruden, the success of his football business hinges on the relationships that Brown builds with guys like quarterback Derek Carr. This isn't an area of the game that he can just brush off.
The fact that he's ready and willing to adopt a laissez-faire approach with an ego as big as Brown's is a major warning sign that things might spiral out of control in the Bay Area this year.
Gruden's approach to the situation has all the hallmarks of Mike Tomlin's in Pittsburgh, which ultimately led to the fracturing of one of the most talented teams in the NFL. That's incredibly troublesome.
Put your hands on the panic button, Raider nation. Brown's first year under Jon Gruden as head coach looks as though it's going to be one unpleasant ride.