Jon Gruden popping into the Saints’ facility last week got the attention of plenty of folks—mostly because he’s been off the radar since resigning in Vegas, but the idea behind it made all the sense in the world. New Orleans actually had plans to bring Gruden in earlier in the offseason, with the purpose of discussing how the former Raiders coach built an offense for Derek Carr and just talking football in general.
It was first going to be in April, but Saints coach Dennis Allen told Gruden he really wanted to be a part of these meetings, and draft meetings during that time would make it impossible. Then, it was going to be earlier this month, before Gruden had to postpone for family reasons.
So it happened last week. Gruden arrived in Louisiana late Tuesday. GM Mickey Loomis took him and Allen out to dinner that night at the Four Seasons in the French Quarter, and then Gruden came to practice Wednesday and Thursday. After practice Thursday, the group dove in on Carr, with Gruden spending five and a half hours with Allen, offensive coordinator Pete Carmichae and the offensive coaches. The quarterbacks popped in when then could, and the discussion flowed easy.
