Jon Gruden is trying to tell everyone the Raiders aren’t broken when all evidence points to the contrary.
Despite the disastrous 1-5 start after Sunday’s horror show against the Seahawks, in which the Raiders failed to gather 200 total team yards, the $100 million coach tried to calm the storm by saying what no one is thinking: Oakland isn’t throwing in the towel on its season.
“I’ll say this, we aren’t tanking anything,” Gruden told reporters on Tuesday. “I hear the hatred out there, some of the rumors that we are tanking it to get a first-round pick or a higher pick. We are not getting up at 4 o’clock in the morning to tank it. Ain’t nobody tanking it.”
Gruden’s competitive assurance comes after the Raiders decided to part with captain and veteran linebacker Derrick Johnson on Tuesday, who signed a one-year deal in the offseason. In addition, Fox Sports reported the Raiders are looking to trade wide receiver Amari Cooper and safety Karl Joseph.
Shedding two of their marquee players doesn’t sound like a team not trying to tank. According to NFL Network, Oakland is seeking a first-round pick for Cooper, who’s caught 22 passes for 280 yards and one touchdown this season.
These potential moves come after the summer blockbuster in which the Raiders traded pass-rusher Khalil Mack to the Bears, in a move that has backfired repeatedly for Oakland. Retooling a roster midseason, four games under .500, doesn’t exactly prove that Oakland isn’t tossing its season.
Gruden, who reportedly signed a 10-year, $100 million contract, hasn’t won any fans and now looks like he’s losing some of his faithful.
Raiders legend Charles Woodson vented his frustrations Sunday on ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown” before the Seahawks game, when he spoke critically about Gruden’s decision to throw on first-and-goal on the 1-yard line with the Raiders down 20-3 in Week 5 against the Chargers.
“He traded away our best player, our best pass rusher, and then he gets on the podium saying, ‘We’ve gotta find a pass rusher.’ Then we on the 1-yard line. We’ve got [Marshawn Lynch] in the backfield and we call a pass play and throw the ball? … Is it a joke?” Woodson said.
Raiders corner back Rashaan Melvin, who started the team’s first five games, vented his frustrations on Twitter after he was benched in favor of Daryl Worley and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
“I’m done trying to change my style. It’s not me. Back to what I know and what got me here!!” Melvin said.
Gruden said he didn’t speak to Melvin as of Tuesday, but planned to.
“I know [defensive coordinator] Paul Guenther did. I heard there was a Twitter report out there,” Gruden said. “Melvin is on his seventh team, I think. He’s had different techniques. Maybe he’s confused, I don’t know. I’ll talk to him. But he has to play better. He’s in a competitive situation. Perhaps he’s frustrated, and I can’t blame him.”
On top of all that, Gruden said the team was concerned about Lynch’s groin injury, and it could keep him out long term.
