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Oakland Raiders: Jon Gruden odd QB decisions continue

By Erik Lambert

ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 04: Nathan Peterman #2 of the Buffalo Bills passes the ball during the second quarter against the Chicago Bears at New Era Field on November 4, 2018 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 04: Nathan Peterman #2 of the Buffalo Bills passes the ball during the second quarter against the Chicago Bears at New Era Field on November 4, 2018 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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Jon Gruden either has hope for any and all players or the most gigantic ego in NFL history. At least that’s how the Oakland Raiders head coach comes off.

Here’s a man who already had a proven quarterback in his midst. One with Pro Bowl talent who is still young and can become the foundation of this team’s new offense. Yet instead Gruden has continued to parade a series of baffling quarterback decisions through the roster. It started with the trade for Christian Hackenberg, a failed 2nd round pick from New York.

Then came a trade for A.J. McCarron, a pedestrian backup from Cincinnati. A guy who couldn’t even beat out Andy Dalton for the starting job. Now it’s happening again. This time Gruden is bringing in former Buffalo Bills draft pick Nathan Peterman. The same guy who established a record-setting streak of throwing pick-sixes during his brief time with the team.

Gruden certainly sounded like an optimistic person after the Raiders signed him.

"“Hopefully, we can take him into the offseason program. See if we can restart him and get him going.”"

Gruden living up to his reputation for preferring failed former backups

This actually shouldn’t be a surprise. Gruden has a long-standing reputation for often going after quarterbacks who failed elsewhere but feeling some time under him can unlock the puzzle. It’s likely something that began back in 2000 when he turned journeyman Rich Gannon into an All-Pro. Then he turned journeyman Brad Johnson into a Super Bowl winner. One can imagine how he started to think he could fix anybody after that.

The list of names he took on is certainly extensive from Rob Johnson to Brian Griese, Tim Rattay, and Bruce Gradkowski. All the while his teams never bother to draft a quarterback high. This included an ugly decision where they passed on Aaron Rodgers in 2005. It’s clear Gruden has a certain sweet tooth for the underdog and wants to embrace that class Raider tradition of being the NFL’s Island of Misfit Toys.

Especially when it comes to quarterbacks.

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