The Redskins just sent out a press release confirming Bruce Allen’s appointment as executive vice president/general manager.
Just to review the time line:
SEE RELATED:
Around 8 a.m.: Vinny Cerrato announces resignation.
Around 10 a.m.: Allen is hired.
“Bruce Allen is the personification of an NFL winner,” owner Dan Snyder said. “Our fans know his heritage, we know his abilities. He is the right person to lead our club.”
Allen, 53, is the son of the late Redskins coach George Allen. He served as senior assistant in Oakland and general manager with Tampa Bay.
Allen’s hiring leads to natural speculation that Jon Gruden is in line to become the next Redskins coach. He signed a contract extension with ESPN last month but there is undoubtedly an out clause.
Allen was out of the NFL this year following his and Gruden’s firing by Tampa Bay.
“This is an extraordinary opportunity with one of the world’s most successful sports franchises,” Allen said in a statement. “I love everything about this assignment. I know what it means to be dedicated to the Redskins. I can’t wait to get to work.”
The Redskins must now hire a coach with strong personnel skills. One league source said this morning that Allen had little input in Oakland (Al Davis runs the show) and in Tampa Bay, most of the pieces were in place and Gruden was largely responsible for make the offense work.
The next move for the Redskins is the likely ouster of Jim Zorn, who must now concentrate on the task at hand (Monday’s game against the Giants) while taking at least a little bit of pleasure that he outlasted Cerrato.
More later …
— Ryan O’Halloran
