ASHBURN, Va. — Bruce Allen was mocked five years ago when he proclaimed that his perennially last-place Washington were “winning off the field.” More eye rolls arrived recently when Allen defended the club’s “culture.”
After a lot of losing on the field and all manner of public relations fiascoes off it, Allen is out as president of the NFL team once coached by his father. He was fired Monday, a move announced by owner Daniel Snyder a day after a 3-13 debacle of a season was capped by one last embarrassing loss, 47-16 at rival Dallas.
“As this season concludes, Bruce Allen has been relieved of his duties as president of the Washington (football team) and is no longer with the organization,” Snyder said in a statement issued by the team. “Like our passionate fan base, I recognize we have not lived up to the high standards set by great (Washington) teams, coaches and players who have come before us. As we reevaluate our team leadership, culture and process for winning football games, I am excited for the opportunities that lie ahead to renew our singular focus and purpose of bringing championship football back to Washington.”
From the outset of the 2010 season, Washington went 62-97-1 with Allen serving as Snyder’s right-hand man, a stretch that featured only two playoff appearances and zero playoff victories.
There could be another important move soon, too: Ron Rivera, fired as coach of the Carolina Panthers during the season, was visiting Washington on Monday. Rivera has quickly emerged as Washington’s top candidate.
“He gets the best out of players,” said cornerback Josh Norman, who played for Rivera in Carolina. “And not just players, but men. He builds men and guys and also builds character.”
Norman said the culture would be entirely different if Rivera gets the job. It has been an issue with Allen in charge, and even quarterback Case Keenum on Monday said of the organization, “I think there are some cultural things that need to be addressed.”
BRONCOS: General Manager John Elway said that rookie Drew Lock showed enough in his five-week audition to earn the nod as the Denver Broncos’ starting QB heading into 2020.
DOLPHINS: According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Dolphins have fired offensive coordinator Chad O’Shea after one season. Formerly a wide receivers coach in New England, O’Shea was brought along to the Miami coaching staff when Brian Flores took the head coaching job with the Dolphins.
n Cornerback Xavier Howard was arrested on a domestic battery charge following an argument with his fiance over the purchase of a purse, according to a police report.
EAGLES: Brandon Brooks, the Pro Bowl right guard, will miss the playoffs with a separated right shoulder, an injury he suffered on an extra-point attempt in the second quarter of Sunday’s NFC East-clinching, 34-17 win over the New York Giants.
RAIDERS: Guard Richie Incognito will be staying with the Raiders after their move to Las Vegas. Incognito signed a two-year, $14 million contract extension with the Raiders that includes $6.35 million in guaranteed money.
CHIEFS: Coach Andy Reid announced that rookie safety Juan Thornhill tore the ACL in his left knee during Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers.
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