NFL icon evaluates Gruden as top coach

Jon Gruden, coach of the year?

Entering Week 11, the Raiders’ head coach has at least one Hall of Famer’s endorsement.

Asked about Gruden in an interview on Sirius XM NFL Radio this week, former quarterback Brett Favre said Gruden would be his choice “if I had to pick a coach of the year right now.”

“Some people might say I’m absolutely crazy,” Favre said. “But I think he’s done a tremendous job.”

After finishing 412 in Gruden’s first season back as head coach last year, the Raiders are 54 and the current sixth seed in the AFC playoff picture entering Sunday’s game against the winless Bengals.

Favre cited the Raiders’ trades last season of Khalil

Mack and Amari Cooper — moves for which Gruden was widely questioned — and the “fiasco” involving receiver An

tonio Brown in training camp this summer as factors that “could have just destroyed this team.”

“I think when you look at all those things that have occurred and where they are — and more importantly how they’re playing, they’re playing well and they’re responding to how he coaches — it’s just a tremendous job,” Favre said. “I’m very impressed with what he’s done there.”

Gruden, who has downplayed the Raiders’ record to this point, did so again when asked about Favre’s comments Friday — though he slipped in a dig at local media.

“I love Brett Favre, I’ll leave it at that,” Gruden said. “I’ve always loved Brett Favre. I think Andy Reid and (Steve) Mariucci would probably tell you, none of us would be where we are without Brett Favre. So, appreciate the nice words. It’s nice hearing nice words now and again. You don’t hear many, especially from you guys.”

Gruden was an assistant coach, along with other future head coaches Mariucci and Reid, under Mike Holmgren in Green Bay from 199294 — Favre’s first three seasons with the Packers. Injury report: Slot cornerback Lamarcus Joyner, who injured a hamstring late in the Raiders’ win over the Chargers last week, was ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Bengals. Daryl Worley or Nevin Lawson could take on Joyner’s role, Gruden said.

Right tackle Trent Brown (knee) did not practice Friday and is listed as questionable. David Sharpe, who has played in place of Brown in several games this season, is out with a calf injury, leaving Brandon Parker as the likely backup right tackle. Return specialist Dwayne Harris, who has missed the past two games, is also questionable with a foot injury. Etcetera: Derek Carr is the Raiders’ nominee for the 2019 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award. Carr has been the Raiders’ nominee the past four years . ... Running back Josh Jacobs was voted by fans as rookie of the week for Week 10 after totaling 101 scrimmage yards and a touchdown against the Chargers.