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Redskins: A brief history of why Bruce Allen should be on the hot seat

By Matt Hines

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 21: (C) Bruce Allen, the new general manager of the Washington Redskins, talks on the field before the game against the New York Giants at FedEx Field on December 21, 2009 in Landover, Maryland. Allen replaces Vinny Cerrato, who resigned last week. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 21: (C) Bruce Allen, the new general manager of the Washington Redskins, talks on the field before the game against the New York Giants at FedEx Field on December 21, 2009 in Landover, Maryland. Allen replaces Vinny Cerrato, who resigned last week. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 21: Bruce Allen, the new general manager of the Washington Redskins, looks on from the field before the game against the New York Giants at FedEx Field on December 21, 2009 in Landover, Maryland. Allen replaces Vinny Cerrato, who resigned last week. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 21: Bruce Allen, the new general manager of the Washington Redskins, looks on from the field before the game against the New York Giants at FedEx Field on December 21, 2009 in Landover, Maryland. Allen replaces Vinny Cerrato, who resigned last week. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) /

Allen’s second year

In 2011, Allen still had a challenge in front of him recovering from the previous regime and a few sour moves of his own. At the start of free agency, Allen signed 30-year-old former Rams safety O.J. Atogwe to a five year $26 million dollar contract. This was a classic Redskins move. Atogewe was a big name with splash play ability. Atogwe started eight games for Washington collecting three interceptions and half a sack. He was released after one season.

Allen also added Stephen Bowen to a five year $27.5 million dollar contract and Barry Cofield to a six year $36 million dollar contract to beef up the Redskins defensive line. Bowen was hardly worth the money as he was plagued by injuries, throughout his four year tenure in Washington. Cofield was a strong signing as he quickly learned to play the 3-4 nose tackle position effectively. Allen also re-signed Santana Moss who was coming off of another 1,000-plus yard season to a team friendly contract.

Allen did have two more decent signings that did not have to drive far before getting to Washington. Corner Josh Wilson and guard Chris Chester, both Ravens in 2010. Wilson played for three years with the Redskins and was serviceable for two of them before his release in 2013. Chester played four years and never missed a game. He went on to follow Kyle Shanahan to Atlanta in 2014 via free agency.

During the 2011, draft Allen had an arsenal of picks to work with, making 12 selections in total. Sitting at No. 10 overall and needing a quarterback, Blain Gabbert was on the board. Thankfully, Allen traded back to No. 16 overall and landed three time Pro Bowler Ryan Kerrigan. Niles Paul as a fifth round pick was a home run for the position taken, but he is more of a fan favorite than a legitimate contributor.

Kerrigan and Paul would be the only players to make a long term impact on the team. Second round pick Jarvis Jenkins out of Clemson was a complete bust.  Mid-round picks Leonard Hankerson, Roy Helu, Dejon Gomes, Evan Royster, and Aldrick Robinson all showed potential at one point or another but eventually flamed out. The Redskins four seventh round picks were all non-factors. The Redskins finished 5-11 in Allen’s second year, last in the division.

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