It's one thing for fans, the media, former coworkers, unnamed employees, or even players to question the moves made under Washington Redskins team president and de facto general manager Bruce Allen.
It's another thing when the NFL's media arm ranks him among the worst at what he does.
Second-worst among established GMs, to be precise.
NFL.com Gregg Rosenthal did a this-must-be-a-slow-offseason special on Wednesday, offering a power ranking of NFL personnel heads. His review of Allen was rather scathing, including these notes:
"The team's handling of Kirk Cousins' contract situation -- not to mention Allen's [mis]pronunciation of his quarterback's name -- raised a lot of eyebrows.
"Allen hired former GM Scot McCloughan in 2015, then fired him two years later on the eve of free agency.
"When he worked with Jon Gruden in Tampa, Allen and Gruden's enduring love of veterans kept the Bucs stuck in the NFL's middle class. That's where this Redskins roster also resides."
Ouch.
Parity has long been a part of the NFL's appeal, where "any given Sunday," any team could beat any other. To relegate the Redskins to a second tier of teams seems harsh.
But harsh can also be fair. Just look at the team's much-discussed record under Allen.
Personnel heads pick players, who are then coached by coaches and must perform well on game day. There's a lot that can go wrong with a good pick or free agent signing, long after Allen has his ay.
But everything in the Redskins organization can be traced back to Allen. He hired Jay Gruden. He drafts and signs the players. He is one of the only people blessed to comment to the media.
His fingerprints exist all over a team that perpetually frustrates and underperforms.
Allen's father, the beloved Redskins coach George Allen, found success with his "Over the Hill Gang" in Washington. This group of veterans largely played under Allen with the L.A. Rams and Chicago Bears and were assembled for a last ride with the Redskins.
It worked for George, and it seems to be a familiar strategy for Bruce, who has helped orchestrate trades for aging veterans Donovan McNabb and Alex Smith. It isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it's a strategy built on winning now.
Based on Rosenthal's analysis, this roster isn't built to win now, or any time soon.
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