OAKLAND – Marshawn Lynch’s 60-yard touchdown run was a thing of beauty. The Raiders running back took a handoff toward the left, around flank sealed by a tackle and tight end.
Lynch hit the edge untouched, with only open space before him. The Oakland native quickly hit full stride, and blew past the Lions' defense into the end zone.
Jon Gruden was pumped, until a flag converted all that positive energy to rage. The Raiders head coach couldn’t fathom why it was thrown, and was beside himself upon hearing Kolton Miller was penalized for holding.
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"I didn’t agree with that call at all, honestly,” Gruden said after Friday’s 16-10 preseason victory over Detroit. “It was a well-blocked play. That was impressive. Marshawn was rolling man, and that was good to see.
“I was really ticked off when it got called back. You know, I just got to the stadium; I just called my fourth offensive play. Anyhow, Chucky came out for a brief moment right there.”
And with a raised eyebrow, maybe a few unprintable words and poorly contained fury, Gruden was back home, officially in his element.
Gruden’s doing his darndest to avoid nostalgia during his return to the Raiders and coaching in general after nine years in the broadcast booth.
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Eyes are glued to his every move, every reaction at every turn. He is a national celebrity, an attraction regardless of allegiance. They are looking for him to compare and contrast eras, to wax philosophic about every milestone crossed.
He doesn’t want to do that. He did admit Friday’s return to Oakland Coliseum as Raiders coach, even in a preseason game, was special.
“It was awesome,” Gruden said. “I mean, I saw some recognizable faces that had grown a little bit older. I saw some old friends that mean a lot to me.
“Like I’ve said all along, it’s a great responsibility. The nostalgia’s worn off, and we have to do something with the opportunity, but it was great to see the Raiders fans. They stayed with us until the very end. I really appreciate that.”
Gruden’s family was in attendance for this one, even though it didn’t count.
It was an important moment, even if he didn’t want to dwell on it long. The regular-season opener, on Monday night against the L.A. Rams will be a bigger deal. That will represent Gruden’s return to the Raiders sideline more than this exhibition, and will be celebrated with considerable fanfare by a national television audience and the local Raiders fans who love Gruden so.
The dress rehearsal was important on several fronts, to get some jitters out of the way. It also served to work out kinks in coaching communication and play-calling rhythm for someone who, despite being involved in the NFL game as a broadcaster and consultant, hadn’t called an NFL game in nine years.
Those aspects went smooth. The Raiders won. And, even though he’ll quickly turn the page, Gruden enjoyed his return to the sideline, however informal it was in the preseason.
“It’s great to be back at the Coliseum,” Gruden said. “It was really cool tonight.”