If you feel the need to deny you’re overpaid, you may be overpaid.
Raiders head coach Jon Gruden recently issued such a denial to NBC Sports’ Peter King. Not that being overpaid is a mortal sin. In fact, it’s on my bucket list.
When Gruden agreed to return to the Raiders, it was reported he signed a 10-year, $100 million contract that continues to be a source of fascination.
“I’m not making $100 million, just so you know,” Gruden told King, before taking a left turn. “I never thought Tom Cruise, never thought his movies were any good but he’s making plenty of money. There’s a lot of things that I don’t understand. No disrespect to Tom Cruise. I’m sure he’s a great actor.”
That discussion would be an all-day sucker in itself. Cruise has made 44 movies and is has two more in production. He has three Oscar nominations but no wins. If you want to cherry-pick, you could make him look like a bit of a lightweight (“The Color of Money,” “Cocktail”). Or, you could color him a top-drawer thespian (“Magnolia,” Jerry Maguire”). My untrained brain slams on the brakes every time it comes across “A Few Good Men.” Best climactic scene of all time.
Gruden’s Tom Cruise conversational non sequitur? Just a little something that lightens the drudgery of training camp.
But that $100 million figure isn’t going away any time soon. It’s one of the roundest numbers in professional sports, towering high above pedestrian talking points.
Example: King asked Gruden several questions unrelated to his salary — none of which will necessarily see the light of a social media post — including this observation: “The Gruden I saw for a day last week isn’t the in-practice foghorn he used to be,” King wrote.
Gruden was asked about 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan and Rams coach Sean McVay, both of whom got their first NFL coaching job from Gruden, now 55, at Tampa Bay. Both young whippersnappers are on the Raiders’ 2018 schedule.
“They’re really good,” Gruden said. “Unfortunately, I’ve got to get in the ring with them now. I know they want to get after me. I want to beat them too.”
Other sound bytes:
On the hardships of re-embracing an all-consuming job. “I haven’t seen my wife in like weeks. It’s hard saying goodbye to my mom and dad in Florida. But I’ve got to do this. Time’s flying.”
On Al Davis: “We didn’t clash, really. He beat me up at times, and I probably needed beating up.”
On Derek Carr: “He’s got more talent than anybody I’ve ever coached. He can make any throw you can imagine. If you’re a Raider fan, get a ticket, because he is really fun to watch.”
You got me sold. Got a few million bucks I can borrow?