A.J. Smith expected to join Redskins front office as advisor

1niksder · Post by **1niksder** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 6:35 am

Former Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith was in Indianapolis, though I never ran into him and he didn't return a call. He was in town to talk with three teams about jobs in their personnel department -- the Kansas City Chiefs due to a relationship with Andy Reid, the New England Patriots based on a relationship with Bill Belichick and the Washington Redskins, due to ties with General Manager Bruce Allen and owner Dan Snyder. Word is Smith will join the Redskins soon as an adviser/consultant in the personnel department. Smith's son, Kyle, is a scout for the Redskins. Smith has laid extremely low since being fired the day after the season. But he did have a preliminary interview with the Jacksonville Jaguars, which I'm told is the only GM job he coveted. He actually had three more job offers as well, but he was in Indianapolis to finalize something with the Chiefs, Patriots or Redskins.

LINK

skinsfan#33 · Post by **skinsfan#33** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 6:58 am

I wonder who's idea this hire is? If it is Mike or Bruce's idea I'm fine with the hire. If this is Dan's idea, then it will be a train wreck.

If Mike hired him and AJ knows his place (below Mike on the personnel food chain) then it should help.

The Skins must have now hit a new record for an NFL team. They have to have the record for team executives with sons employed by the same team with the name Kyle. Also how many teams have ever had two former GMs on their payroll at the same time and neither has the final say on personnel decisions.

SkinsJock · Post by **SkinsJock** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 12:11 pm

thanks for the link 1niksder - always good to hear that we were the preferred choice ...

any help and assistance Bruce and Mike can get must worry a lot of other teams - especially those guys in NY :lol:

welcome to the NFC East A.J - looking forward to defending our title and becoming even more dominant ..

aswas71788 · Post by **aswas71788** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 12:42 pm

Wonderful. The Redskins have hired one half of a pair that took one of the most talented NFL teams and made them less than mediocre.

Well done.

ACW · Post by **ACW** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 12:47 pm

Double post

ACW · Post by **ACW** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 12:50 pm

Though on second thought, a HECK of a drafter. IF that's all he does this could be a good thing.

SkinsJock · Post by **SkinsJock** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 1:07 pm

you guys could be right and I'm sure you're more in touch with this stuff than I am

A.J. Smith seemed to also be considered very favorably by Bill Belicheat and Andy Reid - unlike me, those 2 are REALLY in touch ... :twisted:

put another way - he's NOT coming here to 'DO' anything .. he's coming in to 'advise' Bruce and Mike

given that Bruce & Mike have done pretty well & that 2 other HCs that are amongst the best in the NFL, were after him - it's likely we're going to be better with this addition

aswas71788 · Post by **aswas71788** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 4:53 pm

SkinsJock wrote:you guys could be right and I'm sure you're more in touch with this stuff than I am

A.J. Smith seemed to also be considered very favorably by Bill Belicheat and Andy Reid - unlike me, those 2 are REALLY in touch ...

put another way - he's NOT coming here to 'DO' anything .. he's coming in to 'advise' Bruce and Mike

given that Bruce & Mike have done pretty well & that 2 other HCs that are amongst the best in the NFL, were after him - it's likely we're going to be better with this addition

Ask the Chargers fans about Smith. Be prepared to duck fast.

frankcal20 · Post by **frankcal20** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 5:04 pm

aswas71788 wrote:
SkinsJock wrote:you guys could be right and I'm sure you're more in touch with this stuff than I am :D

A.J. Smith seemed to also be considered very favorably by Bill Belicheat and Andy Reid - unlike me, those 2 are REALLY in touch ... :twisted:

put another way - he's NOT coming here to 'DO' anything .. he's coming in to 'advise' Bruce and Mike

given that Bruce & Mike have done pretty well & that 2 other HCs that are amongst the best in the NFL, were after him - it's likely we're going to be better with this addition

Ask the Chargers fans about Smith. Be prepared to duck fast.

He's only here as an adviser, not a GM. There's a big difference.

aswas71788 · Post by **aswas71788** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 8:08 pm

I live in Palm Springs so we get lots of Chargers news. I am not a Chargers fan but do follow them, though not much. I only know what I read in the newspaper. Most Charger fans blame Smith for taking a Super Bowl contender and turning it into a mediocre team and for all of the issues that were there. There were lots. Norv Turner get the rest of the blame for not being a very good head coach. I just do not see that Smith brings anyting of value, even as an advisor.

frankcal20 · Post by **frankcal20** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 8:29 pm

The only thing we don't know is what role Ownership played in the fall of the Chargers. They're a financially strapped team who's owners don't want to spend money. They're willing to let their better players walk and that was their biggest issue. Here in Los Angeles, there are a TON of angry Charger fans and most hope that if/when the team moves here, the team is sold to someone who'll spend money.

Deadskins · Post by **Deadskins** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 8:51 pm

aswas71788 wrote:I live in Palm Springs so we get lots of Chargers news. I am not a Chargers fan but do follow them, though not much. I only know what I read in the newspaper. Most Charger fans blame Smith for taking a Super Bowl contender and turning it into a mediocre team and for all of the issues that were there. There were lots. Norv Turner get the rest of the blame for not being a very good head coach. I just do not see that Smith brings anyting of value, even as an advisor.

I blame Norv for turning Marty's team into also rans.

SkinsJock · Post by **SkinsJock** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 11:13 am

aswas71788 wrote:I live in Palm Springs so we get lots of Chargers news. I am not a Chargers fan but do follow them, though not much. I only know what I read in the newspaper. Most Charger fans blame Smith for taking a Super Bowl contender and turning it into a mediocre team and for all of the issues that were there. There were lots. Norv Turner get the rest of the blame for not being a very good head coach. I just do not see that Smith brings anyting of value, even as an advisor.

thanks for your input - I disagree :lol:

NOBODY here sees Smith as anything more than a NFL guy that it seemed Andy Reid and Bill Beliicheat were looking to add to the mix ...

Smith decided to come here - do you not think that Bruce & Mike might have a better idea of what it takes than EVERY NFL fan west of NY state

PLUS

I could care less what ANY NFL fan thinks of Smith - I only care about the Redskins ..

IF Bruce and Mike think Smith can help them - i think that will be a really good thing

markshark84 · Post by **markshark84** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 11:58 am

aswas71788 wrote:I live in Palm Springs so we get lots of Chargers news. I am not a Chargers fan but do follow them, though not much. I only know what I read in the newspaper. Most Charger fans blame Smith for taking a Super Bowl contender and turning it into a mediocre team and for all of the issues that were there. There were lots. Norv Turner get the rest of the blame for not being a very good head coach. I just do not see that Smith brings anyting of value, even as an advisor.

While I'm not the biggest proponent of the signing, I think those charger "fans" are a little off base. The 3 years before AJ, the team was 5-11, 8-8, and 4-12..... not exactly "super bowl contenders". The guy only had one losing season at 7-9 this year.

Now AJ has made some MAJOR mistakes over the years -- see Drew Brees, Schott, Norv --- so that is why I am indifferent to it.

Personally, I just don't understand why, when we already have MS and BA making FO decisions, we are bringing in ANOTHER FO guy.......

Seems like too many chiefs and not enough indians.

frankcal20 · Post by **frankcal20** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 6:55 pm

markshark84 wrote:
aswas71788 wrote:I live in Palm Springs so we get lots of Chargers news. I am not a Chargers fan but do follow them, though not much. I only know what I read in the newspaper. Most Charger fans blame Smith for taking a Super Bowl contender and turning it into a mediocre team and for all of the issues that were there. There were lots. Norv Turner get the rest of the blame for not being a very good head coach. I just do not see that Smith brings anyting of value, even as an advisor.

While I'm not the biggest proponent of the signing, I think those charger "fans" are a little off base. The 3 years before AJ, the team was 5-11, 8-8, and 4-12..... not exactly "super bowl contenders". The guy only had one losing season at 7-9 this year.

Now AJ has made some MAJOR mistakes over the years -- see Drew Brees, Schott, Norv --- so that is why I am indifferent to it.

Personally, I just don't understand why, when we already have MS and BA making FO decisions, we are bringing in ANOTHER FO guy.......

Seems like too many chiefs and not enough indians.

I'm sure he's here to give us another set of eyes for the draft and FA. Also, he may also here for a little intel with the court case we may or may not bring against the league. Who knows but I don't think it's going to hurt anything.

mastdark81 · Post by **mastdark81** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 2:40 am

Sometimes a gm is not allowed to spend $ bc of a cheap owner, freeagency wise. in the draft, however he sucked point blank and get no excuses fo that one.

To think positive we do play his former division AFC WEST...this year and could have some insight on the teams we play due to his familiarity with the division.

SkinsJock · Post by **SkinsJock** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 10:04 am

mastdark81 wrote:Sometimes a gm is not allowed to spend $ bc of a cheap owner, freeagency wise. in the draft, however he sucked point blank and get no excuses fo that one.

To think positive we do play his former division AFC WEST...this year and could have some insight on the teams we play due to his familiarity with the division.

Smith is simply coming in here to 'assist' ...

Smith was hoping to get a GM job and did not - some franchises were trying to get his assistance - OBVIOUSLY, because the NFL guys think he STILL KNOWS a thing or two

as far as the Redskins are concerned, it does NOT matter 1 iota what he has done, ALL that is relevant is that he ADDS to the 'mix' that is needed here :lol:

A.J. Smith is ONLY here to assist Bruce and Mike and not for any other silly 'theories'

just another example of doing ALL the little things that help make this franchise better

SCSkinsFan · Post by **SCSkinsFan** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 12:12 pm

skinsfan#33 wrote:I wonder who's idea this hire is? If it is Mike or Bruce's idea I'm fine with the hire. If this is Dan's idea, then it will be a train wreck.

If Mike hired him and AJ knows his place (below Mike on the personnel food chain) then it should help.

The Skins must have now hit a new record for an NFL team. They have to have the record for team executives with sons employed by the same team with the name Kyle. Also how many teams have ever had two former GMs on their payroll at the same time and neither has the final say on personnel decisions.

Like you said, The connection seems to be that Smith and Bruce used to work together and Smith's son is currenlty a scout for the Skins. Another father son combo. :roll:

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 12:21 pm

SCSkinsFan wrote:Another father son combo.

You guys get so butt-hurt over the most insignificant things.

Our father-son combo put together a top 5 offense last year...

The Hogster · Post by **The Hogster** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 12:57 pm

This hire could work out. My only question is Why? This front office has proven the ability to (i) identify talent well (ii) sign free agents without over spending, (iii) pull off trades with undesirable veterans (McNabb, Haynesworth, Campbell) and (iv) manuever trades during the draft.

In short, the Front Office has been a huge strength. So why? Why do we need AJ Smith??

HAIL

frankcal20 · Post by **frankcal20** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 1:03 pm

It's just another set of eyes. That's all.

The Hogster · Post by **The Hogster** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 1:07 pm

frankcal20 wrote:It's just another set of eyes. That's all.

Let's hope so.

I'm a fan of the old motto, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

HAIL

fetus · Post by **fetus** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 1:09 pm

Chris Luva Luva wrote:
SCSkinsFan wrote:Another father son combo.

You guys get so butt-hurt over the most insignificant things.

Our father-son combo put together a top 5 offense last year...

+1

HTTRRG3ALMO · Post by **HTTRRG3ALMO** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 1:29 pm

frankcal20 wrote:It's just another set of eyes. That's all.

Agreed. Kinda hard to go wrong with an extra set of eyes. Not like he's making administrative decisions for the team independently.

With what we have for this draft and a lot of talent that will be available in the later rounds, this could prove to be a good move. Or of course it could be a waste of time but again he's not making decisions by himself so I'm good w/ that.

emoses14 · Post by **emoses14** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 1:36 pm

fetus wrote:
Chris Luva Luva wrote:
SCSkinsFan wrote:Another father son combo.

You guys get so butt-hurt over the most insignificant things.

Our father-son combo put together a top 5 offense last year...

+1

+2