Jon Gruden, as expected, was all smiles during Antonio Brown's introductory press conference with the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday. Well, almost. In response to a question comparing Brown to former Raiders receiver Amari Cooper, the man who used to be known as “Chucky” couldn't help but show his teeth.
"I don't understand what your question has to do with Amari Cooper."
Jon Gruden just gave a reporter the red*** when asked about Amari Cooper and Antonio Brown#RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/o5j8a3L8RV
— Allan Bell (@AllanBell247) March 13, 2019
"This is not about comparing receivers today." – Jon Gruden, not pleased by being asked about Amari Cooper vs. Antonio Brown.
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) March 13, 2019
One of the biggest moves Gruden has made in overhauling the Raiders since returning to the club before last season was trading Cooper to the Dallas Cowboys. Though Oakland surprised many league analysts by getting a 2019 first-round pick in exchange for Cooper, the deal had its detractors nonetheless, especially after the former top-five pick exploded with 53 catches, 725 receiving yards, and six touchdowns during his nine-game stint with the Cowboys last season, rate numbers far better than any he accomplished during his first three-and-a-half seasons in Oakland.
Despite Cooper's breakout in Dallas, the effective swap of him for Brown is one most would agree leaves the Raiders in a better position both short and long-term. Not only is Brown a superior player to Cooper, but Oakland only surrendered third, and fifth-round picks to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for Brown, leaving the team with a total of three first-round selections come April 25th. Cooper will soon be up for a pricey new contract, too, not unlike the one Brown signed with the Raiders upon completion of the trade earlier this week.
Gruden, to be frank, should probably exercise a bit more patience with the media. Like it or not and for better or worse, essentially exchanging Cooper for Brown seems poised to go down as one of the most impactful decisions he will make during his second tenure with Oakland.
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