Joe Theismann isn't one to rock the boat with his former employer, the Washington Redskins, but his tweets about Louis Riddick hit close to home.
Riddick is a former player who, after retirement, got his NFL front office start in Washington (2001-07). He started as a pro scout and was promoted to director of pro personnel before leaving for Philadelphia in 2008. Since then, he has gotten a few interviews as a general manager before shifting his career to the media. He now provides league insight for the masses at ESPN.
If Mayock can talk convincingly enough about football to be given the top personnel job in Oakland, then why can't Riddick talk his way into a job somewhere else?
Like Washington, for example, which has no official general manager.
Bruce Allen was hired in late 2009 to fill the role and help hire Mike Shanahan, who was given final say in personnel decisions. That pushed Allen into more of a political and business role for the team, allowing him to see oversee such projects as the Redskins' infamous salary cap debacle during the uncapped year, the Redskins' training camp move to Richmond, the Redskins' name change defense, and the eventual Redskins stadium decision.
After Shanahan was ousted, Allen took control of the roster and struggled to add impact talent. He has been given the blessing to bring in outside help, including former general manager A.J. Smith as a consultant, former general manager Scot McCloughan as a general manager (at least in title), and former legendary Redskins quarterback Doug Williams as senior vice president of player personnel.
If Theismann is right about Riddick, this is an arrangement that could suit all parties, whether you approach this team optimistically, pessimistically or somewhere in between.
On the optimistic side, Riddick has remained very close to the game, staying in contact with front offices around the league and providing thoughtful analysis on roster decisions. He has a great football mind and he could succeed in Washington on the second tour of duty. He could make this team better.
On the pessimistic side, he could take the heat off of Allen, who has become a target of scorn for a fan base more jaded than Aerosmith could have ever imagined. Like McCloughan before him, he could play the role for as long as it works and take the fall when it becomes tactically important for Allen to save his job.
Either way, he could provide a positive presence in Washington's front office for as long as he's allowed.