Confirmed: Jay Gruden Will Be The Next Bengals Offensive Coordinator

by Josh Kirkendall on Feb 3, 2011 9:14 AM EST in Coaching News

On Wednesday night, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio wrote that, according to his sources, the Bengals offensive coordinator position would be filled by Florida Tuskers head coach Jay Gruden. Not to sound all elitist, but typically we like to have these reports confirmed before overreacting with our Bengals will be going to the Super Bowl in 2011 rant.

On Thursday morning, The Cincinnati Enquirer's Joe Reedy confirmed that through a tweet. Adam Schefter confirmed Joe Reedy's confirmation. We're still waiting on confirmation from Schefter's confirmation.

Gruden will replace Bob Bratkowski, who spent ten seasons with the Bengals, putting together an offense that ranked in the top-ten during a three-season stretch from 2005-2007. However, since 2008, the Bengals offense ranked 32nd, 24th and 20th, prompting head coach Marvin Lewis to make a change. Chad Ochocinco said that Bratkowski wasn't the problem:

"He’s not the problem. We’ve had some of our best years under the same coordinator. It’s crazy how when we don’t perform well as a team or from the offensive standpoint it falls back on the coaches. It’s not the case. We’ve done very well under Marvin (Lewis) and Bratkowski. It’s crazy."

Carson Palmer reportedly called Bratkowski after he was fired to let his former offensive coordinator know that he wasn't the reason that the franchise quarterback demanded a trade.

Jay Gruden will take on an offense with plenty of questions. Along with the uncertainty of Carson Palmer's future, the team will have to make a choice on a feature back, either signing Cedric Benson for another year or picking one up through the draft or free agency. The offense could also see a dramatic shift from a core of veteran wide receivers to a youth movement led by Jerome Simpson, Andre Caldwell and Jordan Shipley. And then there's questions about the offensive line, ranging from Andre Smith's contract beyond 2012 and the free agents along the offensive line -- albeit, most of them restricted.

Jay is the younger brother of Jon Gruden, who before doing play-by-play for ESPN's Monday Night Football, was the head coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders.

Tweet Comment 31 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Well, congrats to Gruden!

If Carson is gone, who better to make due with a sub par QB than a head coach for the AFL.

2010 - The Year of the LOLCats.

by UpStateMike on Feb 3, 2011 9:20 AM EST reply actions

I'm actually somewhat excited about this. It's a different direction than I think any of us were expecting.

by Craig Conrad on Feb 3, 2011 9:27 AM EST reply actions

+1

by smoormandiddy on Feb 3, 2011 9:50 AM EST up reply actions

Looks like he led the UFL in points per game and yards per game

as well as winning two titles in the Arena League- AFL passing game is much more high paced and downfield, i think it will mesh well w/Carsons skillset (particularly having to get the ball out quick). I wish is was the real Gruden, but hey I’ll take it.

The Curse of Bo Jackson: Jan 13th,1991- present day

by TruWhoDey on Feb 3, 2011 10:41 AM EST up reply actions

if his system is like his brothers, and I assume it is

This offense will instantly be better than its been in 4 years.

Cincyjungle.com Provisional Contributor for the NFL Draft
Follow me on Twitter for Bengals & NFL draft talk

by Joe Goodberry on Feb 3, 2011 9:32 AM EST reply actions

I'm up for anything at this point

This hire is interesting. I know Bengals fans will be upset about this because his resume isn’t all that impressive but I like what I read and see. Something new and innovative is all I’m looking for. Plus, he looks like he’s great with the players and has the same fiery attitude as his brother.

by Mexal on Feb 3, 2011 9:43 AM EST reply actions

I'd give the average Bengal Fan the benefit of the doubt

I think most will be open to this level of change.

2010 - The Year of the LOLCats.

by UpStateMike on Feb 3, 2011 10:26 AM EST up reply actions

Interesting thought: Jay Gruden coached for the Tuskers

Odell Thurman played for the Tuskers. I wonder if Jay will talk to Zim about possibly trying to get Odell back in the NFL?

by BonnieBengal on Feb 3, 2011 9:45 AM EST reply actions

Either that or a possible reason why Jay was a candidate was because we sent a scout down there to see if Odell still "had it."

by FordhamRam on Feb 3, 2011 9:56 AM EST up reply actions

Is Odell even allowed back to the NFL?

Zim does like redemption projects and Mike hasn’t been shy about bringing back malcontents in the past. However, it’d seem strange for a OC to suggest the DC about bringing in someone from his minor league team. Looking at the Florida Tuskers roster…other notables would include…Brooks Bollinger (Carson’s replacement!) Simeon Castille, HERNA-DAZE JONES!, Kevin Kaesviharn…it’s 2002 all over again.

by KSE on Feb 3, 2011 10:04 AM EST up reply actions

Bollinger retired from football 24 hours ago.

and accepted a job coaching high school ball.

by FordhamRam on Feb 3, 2011 10:16 AM EST up reply actions

Gruden was GM of Tuskers too

Cincyjungle.com Provisional Contributor for the NFL Draft
Follow me on Twitter for Bengals & NFL draft talk

by Joe Goodberry on Feb 3, 2011 10:16 AM EST up reply actions

Great fun factoid Joe!

2010 - The Year of the LOLCats.

by UpStateMike on Feb 3, 2011 10:27 AM EST up reply actions

It would be a great feature story for the Media if it happened

And we know how Mike Brown likes Free Stuff!

2010 - The Year of the LOLCats.

by UpStateMike on Feb 3, 2011 10:25 AM EST up reply actions

PFT would have a field day. It would be an early Christmas present for them.

by BonnieBengal on Feb 3, 2011 10:36 AM EST up reply actions

Didn't DeDe play there too, or was he on the Vegas team?

The Curse of Bo Jackson: Jan 13th,1991- present day

by TruWhoDey on Feb 3, 2011 10:44 AM EST up reply actions

and singing the national anthem is John Stamos........'s little brother Joey Stamos

This is actually a great move. Something bold, which I never expect from the Bengals. I like Zampese but didn’t expect much to change if he would have been promoted. I’m also not a fan of bringing in old “failed” OC’s from other teams.

In my opinion, the best move was to give it to a young, energetic guy. I’m hoping this kickstarts this team and gets us excited again.

by smoormandiddy on Feb 3, 2011 9:54 AM EST reply actions

Didn't we do that with one of the Lacheys last year anyway?

Though, for the life of me, I can’t differentiate between the famous one and the non-famous one.

by FordhamRam on Feb 3, 2011 9:56 AM EST up reply actions

HA

Flying is as simple as throwing yourself at the ground and missing

by bill schwab on Feb 3, 2011 12:34 PM EST up reply actions

Don't know much about Jay.....

But I don’t hate the hire.

Anybody know what his system is? Or what his brother’s system was?

by Stanley1 on Feb 3, 2011 10:09 AM EST reply actions

west coast passing & power running.

Always kept 2 FBs and at least 3 TEs. Use the slot WR. Alot of Play Action. WRs have to run after catch. Complex terminology for players to grasp, but once they do, its a very specific playbook.

Cincyjungle.com Provisional Contributor for the NFL Draft
Follow me on Twitter for Bengals & NFL draft talk

by Joe Goodberry on Feb 3, 2011 10:19 AM EST up reply actions

May as well give up on Carson then.

He’s more of a pass it deep kinda guy and that worked in Brat’s Coryell-esque scheme. I don’t think Carson’s much of a rhythm passer.

by Doc Scratch on Feb 3, 2011 10:44 AM EST up reply actions

not necessarily

Carson’s arm strength and accuracy on deep throws aren’t what they used to be. He’s more accurate than he is a drop back and chuck it QB.

Cincyjungle.com Provisional Contributor for the NFL Draft
Follow me on Twitter for Bengals & NFL draft talk

by Joe Goodberry on Feb 3, 2011 11:05 AM EST up reply actions

with Gruden's AFL background

I think it’s safe to say we’ll have some Deep passing as well. (atleast i hope). Either way I’m expecting Carson to need to work on a quicker delivery which i think we can all agree will help tremendously.

The Curse of Bo Jackson: Jan 13th,1991- present day

by TruWhoDey on Feb 3, 2011 11:06 AM EST up reply actions

This is about as good a move as we could have expected.

There weren’t any big name commodities that were left or that would come here. All I was hoping for was a young, energetic guy who would bring in some new ideas. This hiring fits that to a tee. I’m all for it.

by Jaegner on Feb 3, 2011 10:37 AM EST reply actions

It's not Bratkowski, that's what matters

It’s the cheapest possible option, which is what I expected from Mike Brown, but i’m willing to give him a shot. It’s not Bratkowski, that’s what is important right now. A decade was more than enough.

by The Duke on Feb 3, 2011 10:40 AM EST via mobile reply actions 1 recs

Things that make you go.. "Hmmm!"

Ok, so I don’t know this guy but I know he’s got to be better than Bratkowski,,, And he “IS” younger! A couple of positive signs is that Marvin and company isn’t wasting a lot of time with this thing. It feel like they had this guy sowed up before 2011 even started!
Hmmm…
Jay comes in as OC. Then after next season Marvin is fired and Jon comes in as HC! Then we would have the Gruden / Palmer connection! Just a big ol family affair!!

Seriously?!? SERIOUSLY?!?

What if they went to Jon Gurden before resigning Marvin and he said, “You want me, sign my brother first, then I’ll come on next year”!! What if..

Naw!!! Just playing around with the possibilities!! This next season is going to be fun isn’t it??
Things that make you go “Hmmm!”

2012 - Playoff bound!!!

by Law1951 on Feb 3, 2011 10:52 AM EST reply actions

Oh wait..

They were together in Tampa!!! Hmmm.

2012 - Playoff bound!!!

by Law1951 on Feb 3, 2011 11:24 AM EST up reply actions

make Jon the GM

joygasm

Flying is as simple as throwing yourself at the ground and missing

by bill schwab on Feb 3, 2011 12:36 PM EST up reply actions

I like the fact that he's a winner

he’s not just someone who has been in the NFL for decades on losing teams (we’ve had plenty of those). He’s worked at different levels, AFL, UFL, NFL, and been a part of winning franchises at each level, that means he expects to win, and let’s be honest, that has been a problem in these parts for a long time.

Marvin had a winning expectation when he came & it paid dividends early before he lost his mojo, Zimmer certainly expects to win…I’ve felt for a while that a lot of the guys on the O were just going through the motions. So whatever scheme this guy runs if he comes in and kicks some players in the butt to execute and win we should see immediate impacts.

by swebbIL on Feb 3, 2011 11:00 AM EST reply actions