For years, Redskins fans have thought team owner Dan Snyder was too involved in player personnel decisions. On Tuesday, Bruce Allen refuted those claims.
"Dan doesn't get involved. I know that," Allen said on the Grant and Danny Show on 106.7 the Fan. "I've been in just about every personnel meeting we've had this year."
Allen spoke at length about his role bringing in new Redskins GM Scot McCloughan earlier this year, as well as priorities for the team after a pair of poor seasons.
"The reason we brought Scot in is for Scot to give us his vision for the type of players he's looking for," Allen said. "At the end of the day, Scot will make the detemrination if somebody fits or doesn't fit."
Bringing in a qualified player personnel guy like McCloughan seems a sea change for the Redskins in the Snyder era. For much of his tenure as owner, Snyder worked with Vinny Cerrato to determine the best way to build the roster, or empowered coaches to also have control over personnel. With a few exceptions, neither formula really worked. Throughout, the Redskins became known for overpaying in free agency and being too casual with trading draft picks. Those days, Allen said, are over.
"We are not going to pay a 'C' player 'A' money," Allen said on free agency, before adding that the "spine of the team" will be built through the draft.
It didn't take long for Allen to be asked questions about quarterback play. Allen explained that Redskins coach Jay Gruden named Robert Griffin III as starter at the NFL Combine simply because Griffin finished the regular season as starter. Allen also pointed out the team expects an improved RG3 for 2015.
"We've seen what Robert can do on the field. We know we have someone that will work hard every day to get better," he said. "It's going to take some time. Young quarterbacks take a long time to develop."
Injuries have limited Griffin in each of his three professional seasons, and Allen admitted that is an area RG3 needs to be smarter.
"Robert's got to stay healthy. That's easier said than done, this is a very physical sport," Allen said of Griffin. "He's got to be smart with the ball, and learn to protect himself."
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