Jon Gruden joined The Lounge after spending two days with the Ravens during OTAs. He talked about what makes Lamar Jackson so special, how he’s renaming the Gruden Grinder award after Pat Ricard and more.

Jon Gruden recently joined The Lounge podcast after spending two days observing the Baltimore Ravens during their Organized Team Activities (OTAs). During his appearance, Gruden shared his insights on Lamar Jackson’s exceptional performance, his decision to rename the “Gruden Grinder” award, and more.

Gruden expressed admiration for Lamar Jackson’s skills, stating that Jackson is producing some of the best football Gruden has seen. He highlighted Jackson’s impressive statistics, including over 3,500 passing yards, 34 touchdowns, and only three interceptions, along with nearly 750 rushing yards and three additional touchdowns. Gruden emphasized that Jackson’s performance is comparable to that of elite quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers, noting that Jackson is playing superb football .

Gruden also discussed his decision to rename the “Gruden Grinder” award, which he previously used to honor standout players during his tenure as a broadcaster. He announced that the award would now be named after Pat Ricard, a fullback for the Ravens, recognizing Ricard’s exceptional work ethic and contributions to the team. Gruden praised Ricard’s dedication and effort, stating that he embodies the qualities the award aims to celebrate

During his visit to the Ravens’ OTAs, Gruden observed the team’s practices and interactions. He noted the strong leadership displayed by Jackson and the team’s commitment to improving their performance. Gruden highlighted the importance of these off-season activities in preparing for the upcoming season and building team cohesion.

Overall, Gruden’s appearance on The Lounge podcast provided valuable insights into Lamar Jackson’s remarkable abilities, the renaming of the “Gruden Grinder” award to honor Pat Ricard, and the Ravens’ preparations during OTAs.