A league source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that Jay Gruden, currently the head coach of the Virginia Destroyers of the UFL, will become the next offensive coordinator of the Bengals. The source says the deal is done. Jay, of course, is the little brother of former Raiders and Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden. He spent five seasons with the AFL's Orlando Predators before spending the last two in the United Football League. Gruden was also an offensive assistant on his older brother's staff in Tampa Bay from 2002-008. Source: Pro Football Talk
I like Jay. Met him back in '98 and he was very generous with his time and answered all kinds of questions when he was coaching the Preds'. It was a thrill being in the "Jungle" watching Orlando win their first ArenaBowl back in 2000 and having Jay and other Predator players sign my football after the game on the field. I wish him success in Cincy but I have a very bad feeling it will not go well for him. It would be great to see him back in the Arena league where he has made his mark as a player and coach.
If Gruden likes to run a balanced offense, Cincy could return to '09 form. God knows putting your organization's success in the hands of 2 "Me...Me...Me." WR's doesn't translate into wins.
