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There has to be fine print in Gruden's ESPN commitment

ESPN

Gruden spots little things that can turn a game and communicates them clearly and quickly.

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By JOE HENDERSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 16, 2009

TAMPA - I want to see the fine print.

The news came across this morning that Jon Gruden has signed a multiyear contract to stay with ESPN as an analyst. They say it's a commitment to each other by the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach and the network. It would seem to eliminate Gruden as a candidate for any job that is or might be open: Notre Dame, Louisville or whatever NFL city you want to name.

I'm sure ESPN made it worth Gruden's while. I think he has been great on "Monday Night Football," and the team of Gruden, Mike Tirico and Ron Jaworski has the best chemistry in broadcasting. They've actually made me watch "MNF" again, mostly because of Gruden. He's that good.

Still, I want to see the fine print.

I'm writing this minutes after ESPN made the announcement. I imagine we'll find out soon enough whether the contract contains any clauses allowing Gruden to jump to the NFL or a major college if there is a coaching job he wants to take. On the surface, it sounds like Gruden has made a midcourse career correction, but we also know that he repeatedly has said he misses the daily drama of coaching.

Maybe he got over it.

"Working with Mike, Jaws and our entire Monday Night Football team is the most fun I have had in years, and I am fired up to make this long-term commitment to ESPN," Gruden said in a news release. " 'Monday Night Football' is special and I look forward to remaining a part of it and continuing to call these great games."

He has been a natural behind the microphone and I think we all knew he would be. Gruden's boundless energy and love for football comes through clearly, but it's backed up by the knowledge that only a coach of his caliber can possess. He spots little things that can turn a game and communicates them clearly and quickly.

He can be the next John Madden.

Still, I want to see the fine print.

I always figured ESPN was a temporary gig for Gruden, but the "Worldwide Leader" can be very persuasive when it wants someone badly enough.

"Jon has truly reinvented himself, from a Super Bowl-winning head coach to one of the foremost NFL analysts in the business, and the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive," said Norby Williamson, an ESPN suit. "We are thrilled with his commitment to ESPN, which ensures that Jon will continue on Monday Night Football with Mike and Jaws, and he will have the opportunity to do even more with ESPN."

Reinvented.

Commitment.

Those are strong words.

Maybe Gruden means it.

Maybe he realizes that having a life that he doesn't have to greet at 3:17 a.m. each day can be a pretty good life after all.

Maybe he'll stay away from the sideline.

Hmmmm. … No way.

They can say whatever they want, but we know Jon Gruden. If he really means it and can really stay away, I salute him.

But I still want to see the fine print.

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