Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Gruden/McKenzie Call-In A Blast





Today at 4:00 p.m. PST, Head Coach Jon Gruden and General Manager Reggie McKenzie hosted a Season Ticket Member conference call. It was all good! 

A heartfelt Thank You goes out to Lincoln Kennedy for emceeing yet another great conference call-in with Oakland Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie and new head coach Jon Gruden. The "Big Fella" done got good with a mic in his hand. He kept it moving with a rhythm and flow that would make the top chart rappers jealous. Good job Linc!

This year's conference call was extra special because it featured "CHUCKY" being back in black, reminding us Raiders fans why we love our team so much; we got history. Gruden hasn't lost his touch with communicating his thoughts and passions for the game of football and it's players. He came across as excited to be back with a genuine love for Oakland. Sure he threw a sales pitch for buying tickets to the games but whaddaya expect, he's on the job.  

The call-in went great with many questions asked that Raider Nation felt were important for Reggie and Gruden to give their take on. It wasn't an interrogation type call but an informative one. Nothing but respect on both ends. Reggie McKenzie has gotten better at answering questions and even welcomed the joking criticism of his son being drafted a Kansas City Chiefs. Reggie was great when asked how it felt to see his son go to a rival; "come game day it is what it is!." 

The callers were very respectful as usual and 99.9% were definitely on top of their game with questions that needed to be asked. Maybe it was due to good caller screening by the Raiders organization for there to be no questions about the team moving. That kept the conference call positive and upbeat, smart move.

Although the Raiders had a disappointing season last year there was nothing but love for Reggie and the direction the team is heading. A lot of that probably had to do with Gruden being back. Chucky is likely the best addition the Raiders have made during the offseason. He's looking to prove to himself and doubters that the game has not past him by. He trusts the pedigree of his assistant coaches. They've put together a football teaching clinic in Oakland; teaching our guys to win.

For those who couldn't listen in on the conference call, a season ticket members only event, trust me when I say we Raiders fans will see an improved football product wearing silver and black on Sundays come this fall. Gruden is not making any guarantees nor is he shying away from the notion of a Raiders return to Super Bowl greatness in the near future. 






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