Report: Redskins assistant strength coach Deuce Gruden joining Jon Gruden’s staff in Oakland
Deuce Gruden served as the strength and conditioning coach under Jay Gruden this season. Now, he will cross the country to coach for his father, Jon Gruden.
It’s not often that the assistant strength and conditioning coordinator for a team has a familiar face and name. Deuce Gruden has been in the headlines this season for obvious reasons. He’s the son of Jon Gruden and he coaches for his uncle Jay Gruden. Also, he’s a world power lifting champion, so that made for a great story in and of itself. The coach’s nephew coming aboard to strengthen the team. With his insane strength, that was supposed to be easy.
Well, it didn’t entirely work out that way. By the time that the Redskins finished the 2017 season, they had 20 players on Injured Reserve. While it’s foolish to blame the entirety of that on Deuce, luck did play a role in a handful of the injuries, it’s fair to assume that part of it is his, and the rest of his staff’s, responsibility.
For those Redskins fans who are worried about the potential of Deuce continuing with his program in Washington, you don’t have to anymore. He has elected to cross the country and join his father in Oakland, according to Matt Schneidman of Mercury News.
Deuce Gruden said he’s joining his dad’s strength staff with the Raiders. He worked for Uncle Jay in Washington this season.
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) January 9, 2018
This is a big development. Deuce Gruden leaving will give Jay Gruden a chance to hire a new assistant conditioning coach. Perhaps this one could focus on an area that the Redskins may sorely need help in. Strengthening players while also ensuring that they work to preventative injuries moving forward.
Related Story: Redskins players under criticism for injury care
Recently, D.J. Swearinger made waves with his comments critiquing his teammates about how they care for themselves. Per Matthew Paras of the Washington Times, Swearinger said the following about the situation.
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"Personally, I’ve been on previous teams where after practice, you have 30 guys in the cold tub or you’ve got 20 guys in the cold tub. I didn’t feel that vibe from this team. Whether they do it here or elsewhere, I didn’t think guys took care of themselves.…If you’re pros, you’ve got to take care of your body yourself. You’re not supposed to wait until something happens to you to get treatment. You’re supposed to be preventive."
This analysis from Swearinger is absolutely correct. The best way to avoid injuries, aside from being a backup quarterback, is to take preventative measures in order to help your body stay in good shape. If the Redskins players aren’t taking that seriously, that falls on them. It does fall somewhat on the strength and conditioning staff and the trainers to ensure that they are seeking these preventative measures, but the players control this as well.
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In the locker room during the 2018 offseason, let’s hope that there’s a lot of talk about injury prevention. The Redskins did well to finish 7-9 despite the 20 players that hit IR this year, but if it happens again, they may not be as lucky. Gruden’s departure may give the team a chance to bring in a coach who can help work to prevent injuries. That would be beneficial to the team in the long run, but the players, trainers, and the rest of the staff also have to step up and get themselves into shape to avoid another 2017.