A.J. Smith to be Redskins GM?

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by OmahaRedskins

I thought Shanny had final say on all roster moves. If yes, why is Bruce being held accountable for the first four years?

If you want to fire him for not canning Jim last year, so be it.

Shanny received all the praise for finding Morris in the 6th round. He should receive the criticism for all bad picks.

Loyal Warpath readers (that is not a shot at you) know that Allen has always had a say in personnel matters. The idea that Shanny chose personnel and Allen just signed contracts is a false myth.

[skinsguy]

Originally Posted by Lotus

Loyal Warpath readers (that is not a shot at you) know that Allen has always had a say in personnel matters. The idea that Shanny chose personnel and Allen just signed contracts is a false myth.

I don't think there is anyone who would argue that Bruce Allen had/has a say in personnel matters. Of course he has a say in personnel matters. But I think when it comes down to your job and credibility, if Allen has the chance to bring in someone who can make all the right moves in player (and coach) personnel while Bruce basically keeps his job, salary, and pseudo status with the team, then why would he not go for that? Everybody wins. Allen is viewed as the humble leader who will still be the face of the front office, but Scot and AJ (or Scot alone) would be the ones who truly do the heavy lifting. It would be a dream scenario for Bruce Allen.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Lotus

Loyal Warpath readers (that is not a shot at you) know that Allen has always had a say in personnel matters. The idea that Shanny chose personnel and Allen just signed contracts is a false myth.

I was talking to someone like last night that deals with the Redskins often and he pretty much said that Allen's involvement in personnel decisions is way overestimated. I found this to be a bit surprising

[MTK]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I was talking to someone like last night that deals with the Redskins often and he pretty much said that Allen's involvement in personnel decisions is way overestimated. I found this to be a bit surprising

I find that surprising and at the same time not really. He doesn't strike me as some egomaniac control freak, the way he's been vilified lately is a little unfair. But I know it comes with the territory when GM is in your title.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

I find that surprising and at the same time not really. He doesn't strike me as some egomaniac control freak, the way he's been vilified lately is a little unfair. But I know it comes with the territory when GM is in your title.

I have not meant to portray him as an "egomaniac control freak." To me it seems:

1) he wants to keep his job, and be empowered at his job, just like the rest of us
and
2) he has no clue that he sucks at his job in terms of personnel, so in his mind there is no reason to delegate power.

That is, personally I see Allen less as controlling and more as incompetent and unaware of his incompetence.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Lotus

I have not meant to portray him as an "egomaniac control freak." To me it seems:



1) he wants to keep his job, and be empowered at his job, just like the rest of us

and

2) he has no clue that he sucks at his job in terms of personnel, so in his mind there is no reason to delegate power.



That is, personally I see Allen less as controlling and more as incompetent and unaware of his incompetence.

I don't see him as a bumbling idiot but that's just me.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

I don't see him as a bumbling idiot but that's just me.

I don't see him as a "bumbling idiot," either.

You must have known someone in a position of power in a business who was not competent to fill the job but who did not know this. Because they lack self-awareness and are convinced that they are competent, they never consider the moves needed to become successful. Haven't we all known someone like this?

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

I don't see him as a bumbling idiot but that's just me.

I don't think he's a bumbling idiot in the way that Vinny was. Vinny just did and said things that were embarrassing, like a goofy uncle who thought he was cool.

Allen just seems out of his depth in football operations. Mike Jones said in his e-mailbag that he always thinks he's the smartest guy in the room and is surprised when he's not and doesn't handle it smoothly. Another description I read last year is that he was born on third base, thought he hit a triple and isn't interested in moving. Basically he's really content in being who he is and doesn't really care what you think about it. He doesn't have the fear and hunger of a scout and I think he has an air of entitlement so he doesn't think he has to put in the hard work necessary to improve.

Bumbling idiot, no. Smug jackass, quite possibly.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

I don't think he's a bumbling idiot in the way that Vinny was. Vinny just did and said things that were embarrassing, like a goofy uncle who thought he was cool.

Allen just seems out of his depth in football operations. Mike Jones said in his e-mailbag that he always thinks he's the smartest guy in the room and is surprised when he's not and doesn't handle it smoothly. Another description I read last year is that he was born on third base, thought he hit a triple and isn't interested in moving. Basically he's really content in being who he is and doesn't really care what you think about it. He doesn't have the fear and hunger of a scout and I think he has an air of entitlement so he doesn't think he has to put in the hard work necessary to improve.

Bumbling idiot, no. Smug jackass, quite possibly.

Brilliantly put.

You also made a comment a few days ago about our being in a Matt Millen situation. Also well put.

[calia]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

I don't think he's a bumbling idiot in the way that Vinny was. Vinny just did and said things that were embarrassing, like a goofy uncle who thought he was cool.

Allen just seems out of his depth in football operations. Mike Jones said in his e-mailbag that he always thinks he's the smartest guy in the room and is surprised when he's not and doesn't handle it smoothly. Another description I read last year is that he was born on third base, thought he hit a triple and isn't interested in moving. Basically he's really content in being who he is and doesn't really care what you think about it. He doesn't have the fear and hunger of a scout and I think he has an air of entitlement so he doesn't think he has to put in the hard work necessary to improve.

Bumbling idiot, no. Smug jackass, quite possibly.

I think he'd be out of his depth in a parking lot puddle, at least insofar as talent evaluation is concerned. It sounds like he's reaslanbly good at contract negotiations. I hate him as any kind of spokesperson -- he comes across to me at least as a bad combination of smug, uninformed (and thus far too reliant on soundbites). I'd love to see him move over the President of Football Operations, and see AJ and/or Scot take over personnel decisions and talent evaluation. But Allen strikes me as too prideful to do that.

[mredskins]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

I don't think he's a bumbling idiot in the way that Vinny was. Vinny just did and said things that were embarrassing, like a goofy uncle who thought he was cool.

Allen just seems out of his depth in football operations. Mike Jones said in his e-mailbag that he always thinks he's the smartest guy in the room and is surprised when he's not and doesn't handle it smoothly. Another description I read last year is that he was born on third base, thought he hit a triple and isn't interested in moving. Basically he's really content in being who he is and doesn't really care what you think about it. He doesn't have the fear and hunger of a scout and I think he has an air of entitlement so he doesn't think he has to put in the hard work necessary to improve.

Bumbling idiot, no. Smug jackass, quite possibly.

Alot of speculation here. He definitely cleaned up our cap situation. He is better off staying on the money said of the biz.

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

I don't think he's a bumbling idiot in the way that Vinny was. Vinny just did and said things that were embarrassing, like a goofy uncle who thought he was cool.

Allen just seems out of his depth in football operations. Mike Jones said in his e-mailbag that he always thinks he's the smartest guy in the room and is surprised when he's not and doesn't handle it smoothly. Another description I read last year is that he was born on third base, thought he hit a triple and isn't interested in moving. Basically he's really content in being who he is and doesn't really care what you think about it. He doesn't have the fear and hunger of a scout and I think he has an air of entitlement so he doesn't think he has to put in the hard work necessary to improve.

Bumbling idiot, no. Smug jackass, quite possibly.

Sounds like a reasonable description. If true, then who is behind the personnel move? Danny? Or is BA really going to cede power of his own volition?

I like the names being bandied about -- Smith, McCloughlan (yes, I know he has the alcohol risk factor), and Phillips. My skepticism, however, is at an all time high. W/out fundamental structural changes, I see no room for improvement. I think the best we can currently hope for is something like:

1. Gruden picks his coaches. Period. None of this group think stuff. Coaching staff and final roster are entirely at Head Coach's discretion.

2. Scott McC or AJ Smith is the talent accumulator epicks the players with Gruden's input in terms of "I need WR's that block well even if they are not speedsters (or vice versa); I need power O-Linemen rather than athletic ones; I need CB's that play man better than zone," and etc. Trades, drafting, UFA's are all under this person.

3. BA negotiates the deals. As someone said earlier, Smith / McC pick the players and BA pays the players. BA has NO say in who to acquire and who to keep. BA also serves as the go between / buffer between Coaches & Talent Acquisition and Dan Snyder.

No matter how you cut it though, I still see this as being a management nightmare with BA at its head. In the above, who mediates between Talent and Coaching? Inevitably, they will clash at times. If it is BA, I don't trust his ability to do anything right in the personnel arena. [Question, if anyone knows - Who was negotiating the trades on draft day? Did Shanny say, "get us into the 2nd spot BA" and then BA did it? Or was the negotiating all (or mostly) done by Shanny?]

I dunno. The only think I think is a sure thing is that, somehow, even if the Skins find qualified people, they will manage to f*** it all up.

[Kope]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I was talking to someone like last night that deals with the Redskins often and he pretty much said that Allen's involvement in personnel decisions is way overestimated. I found this to be a bit surprising

If this is true, and BA brings someone into to run the show (two big ifs I know) like AJ Smith, then maybe there is ...dare I say...hope.

As a fan I am 95% emotion, as an organizer or manager (at work) I need to be 95% patient and support folks as they learn how to get better with in guidance.

Attempt 1: All trust in Shanaclan, fail.

Attempt 2: New coach, I run operations, fail.

Attempt 3: Provide stability and support for someone good at operations to run operations......

If this is how it works out maybe we are finally on the right track. Not saying I think this is the case, just a possibility,......said another way: I will believe it when I see it.

The 95% emotional fan in me wants to see it that way for sure, and I get tired of all the negativity. I have to have some hope...other than Obi Wan Kenobi

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I was talking to someone like last night that deals with the Redskins often and he pretty much said that Allen's involvement in personnel decisions is way overestimated. I found this to be a bit surprising

Interesting. Thank you for that.

It raises the question, though: if not Allen, who has been making our personnel decisions since Shanahan left? If not Bruce, who made the call to take Murphy in the second? Who made the call to sign Porter and Lauvao? Etc.

[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I was talking to someone like last night that deals with the Redskins often and he pretty much said that Allen's involvement in personnel decisions is way overestimated. I found this to be a bit surprising

Well I thought he was GM??...So the obvious is who is making the personnel decisions?...Campbell, Gruden, AJ Smith, Danny Boy, Doug Williams, the fantasy football champion of the office?

I dont get the stucture of this organization...something is clearly wrong within the offices of Redskins Park. WTH???

Bruce is the GM and I thought the primary job of the GM...