I know it sounds like I'm waaay down on Bruce Allen. I just think that we talk out of both sides of our mouth when it comes to his role (both with Shanahan and going forward). On the one hand, Bruce was powerless to do anything to stop the franchise meltdown we experienced this year, because he's 'not a football guy' and was only brought in to manage the cap, contracts, etc... On the other hand, he's suddenly a football guy and coaching svengali who will no doubt find us our coach of the future. I just can't reconcile those two positions. I want him to succeed, and I think from all appearances, he is one of the few 'grown ups' we've had at Redskins Park. I still don't think he's a 'football guy'. I also wonder if the reason we are spending days with Bill Cowher is exactly for that reason - because Allen doesn't have the personal expertise we need to make a good decision on the next coach and we're basically using Cowher as a consultant. Just a guess on my part. Again - I hope Allen is successful, but while I don't discount his previous success, I'm not convinced he has any more 'football knowledge' than the average fan.
interesting angle on Cowher. if reaching out to be better informed is the ticket - works for me! many roads can lead to a good decision. what matters, in the end, is the decision.
IMO...setting culture and vision is certainly something Allen can do quite well. I stake myself to the core assumption that as George's boy and living the life he has, he is loyal to the marrow to the Skins and dedicated to the team's success. Placing Allen and Cerratto in the same Universe is an unimaginable stretch! Once a coach is brought onboard, Allen sits in the center of it all from an operational sense:
- coach....what players do ya need and want?
- here are the qualifications on players according to the culture, vision, and identity we as management are setting for the long term. your list is acceptable except for....
- misters campbell and brown, who fits these needs? what is your assessment on their potential in our system? let me see the report and I'll cross check with my contacts around the league.
- here's where we're headed coach. work for you?
- Dan...you gave me a budget to work with. here's what we're gonna do and why. don't want you getting caught off-guard.
Allen has people inside and outside the bldg in Ashburn to talk to. he doesn't have to be a football expert. he has to be a good decision-maker who knows what questions to ask and who to get the most accurate information from to decide the questions.
You're right to speculate on what went on behind the scenes and what role Allen played. until proven otherwise, I'll run with the narrative that Shanahan had a contract that titled him President of Operations and controlled all the major decisions.