I clicked the link, saw Reuben Frank's fat mug, and went:
He's known for crap like this. Did any of you actually read the article?
This is the actual quote with context, which you purposely butchered mid-sentence:
“He’s a very good wide receiver but … the last couple weeks he’s been dealing with an injury and he hasn’t been quite the same,” he said. “I’m a ‘what-have-you-done-for-me-lately’ kind of guy and lately we haven’t seen the DeSean we need to see.
“So hopefully the motivation of playing against Philadelphia and hopefully he’s 100 percent healthy will have a big impact.
“He can definitely take the top off, and we’re going to have to get some big plays against Philadelphia because we don’t want to be stuck having to go 80 yards in 15 plays every drive, so big plays are going to be a key, key element to our success Saturday.”In other words, he's been nursing an injury, we need him to get back to normal, and if he's 100% he'll make big plays. What's the problem?
And as for Maclin, you must not have noticed this about their relationship, stated in the article:
Gruden raved Tuesday about Maclin, who he worked with on the Missouri campus in Columbia, Mo., when Maclin was preparing for the combine after the 2008 season.
“He’s a consistent pro, man,” he said. “I love the way he plays, his approach to the football game.
“He’s tough and it seems like whenever Philly needs a big play, third down and long or they’re trailing, Maclin seems to always show up."
Maclin said that after his junior year at Missouri, his agent arranged for Gruden -- who was then between NFL jobs -- to work with him for three days on principles of the West Coast Offense.
"He's my guy," Maclin said after practice Tuesday. "I had played in a spread offense at Missouri, so he came in and he was basically my coach for three days, teaching me the West Coast Offense and the different routes I needed to learn so I could be prepared at the Combine. That was a great experience."
Five years later, Gruden remains a big fan of Maclin.
“Type of guy you want," Gruden said. "Accountable guys that when the game’s on the line they have no problem making the play, and Jeremy’s done that.
“I had a great chance when he was a senior in college to work him out before the combine and spend three days with him, and I know he’s a great kid and I’m happy for him.”So he has a strong personal relationship with Maclin, and gives him deserved praise.
Honestly, a thread about DJax's gang ties would be more relevant.....