Raiders coach Jon Gruden realizes that right now there are much more important things going on than the preparations for the football season. He understands that the much higher priority than winning games contains COVID-19.
“I hope we can beat the virus,” Gruden told Vic Tafur of TheAthletic.com. “The Chiefs are great – unfortunately we have to play them twice – but we have the toughest opponent. . . . We have to beat this virus, man. You and me and everyone, and I hope someone finds a cure soon.
Aside from the general issues created by the pandemic, Gruden is focusing on what he needs to do to try and make the third season of his second act with the Raiders the best yet.
“It’s crazy, you are trying to prepare for camp, but you have no idea how it’s going to go,” Gruden told Tafur. “It’s a whole new ball game right now. We have a new city, a new facility, a new team, new rules. . . . I finally meet some of the veteran players [on Tuesday]. We had about 60 minutes of visit with the recruits [on Monday] and that’s all the contact I’ve had, other than a bunch of Zoom meetings. . . .
It’s hard.
“It’s tough, tough and tough work right now – and it’s not just football. Humanity is a big part of that, you know what I’m saying? Your team, your family, your fans, the city of Las Vegas, the world – you care about everyone. There is no answer to this. . . . There are security measures that we are trying to use, but this is unprecedented territory for you, me and everyone.
He is right. Every day, the mood changes. Friday’s cautious optimism melted into growing pessimism on Monday. The ongoing parade of retiring players, and the feeling that more may be coming, underscore that this will be a football season like no other.
