We're more than a week away from the NFL Draft with coverage previewing the event in full swing on ESPN and the NFL Network and a shining star has emerged on TV.
Former NFL coach and current "Monday Night Football" analyst John Gruden -- possibly the best analyst to jump from his sport to TV in recent years -- consistently proves his skills in front of the camera, and his pre-draft work provides another testament to that skill.
The first of his one-on-one evaluations/interviews with top quarterbacks in the draft made its debut on ESPN platforms this past weekend and the segment with Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford was great TV.
It's Gruden at his best, as a coach and as a talent adviser. As the two watch film together, fans get some football insights as well as some insights into Gruden's personality. Both make the segment work -- especially when Gruden chides Bradford for his inability to slide when trying to protect himself from a big hit, and then mere minutes later praises the soon-to-be NFL rookie for launching himself into defenders as he nears the end zone on another play.
Even Gruden admits its confusing, but it works and it's compelling.
What's also confusing, though, is Gruden's exact role when working with the quarterbacks who will be featured in the segments. Is he an analyst doing preseason work with a little extra access for his job? Is he a consultant helping the quarterbacks prepare for the draft (albeit one with a full-time gig covering the NFL on TV)?
That's the only things that's unclear, and it's an important distinction. While it's good TV, the how and where of its fit in the overall picture does matter because people who consume/watch the segments should know whether they're watching a guy just talking football as part of a preparation and reporting effort or whether they're watching someone getting paid to help the QBs improve.
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