First, hey all, been a while.
I wanted to talk about this as I saw no dedicated thread. Watching Gruden's presser from today, I have to say there were a few things that really struck me. The first was that he genuinely seemed like he was happy to be there. This man NEEDS football in his life and will probably have to be torn away from his coaching desk with giant pliers this time. Happy for him...but the second thing was how he mentioned he had no desire to ever leave the Raiders. I know he was traded to us, but am I the only one that took that as a slight "F you" to Tampa? I didn't exactly hear him thank Tampa for the time he spent with us, either. It was all about how at home he feels as a Raider and how much of a great fit it is. Don't get me wrong, I get it. He has to put over the organization and make people comfortable with him being there, but I can't help but feel he REALLY wants the chance to kick our asses for what the Glazers did.
Furthermore, quite frankly? Part of me just felt a little dirty. Like watching your dad re-marry and realizing he may no longer want anything to do with his old family. All the picnics, all the barbecues, all the good times you had together, gone in a flash...but yet, HE'S happy! Therein lays the rub: Can I forgive him for returning to our old enemy, and be happy that he's happy? Or am I right to feel a little hurt and forgotten? I had always thought he'd NEVER coach again unless it were with us. I thought he was a Buc through and through, lived in Florida and loved it like it were a part of him, and yeah, I understand him wanting to coach again, but...of all teams, to wind back the clock and go to the Raiders again like the Bucs never happened? Am I really the only one that thinks that stings a little as a Bucs fan?
TLDR, Maybe it's all a just business and everything, but...I dunno. It just leaves me a little bummed. Anyone else have any thoughts?
