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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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TAMPA, FL – AUGUST 17: General manager Bruce Allen of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers watches warmups against the New England Patriots at Raymond James Stadium on August 17, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – AUGUST 17: General manager Bruce Allen of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers watches warmups against the New England Patriots at Raymond James Stadium on August 17, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) /

Allen’s third year

Allen’s third year would be one of the most notable in Redskins history. Free agency was a mixed bag in 2012. Allen signed a pair of receivers, one far more valuable than the other. Pierre Garcon signed a five year $42.5 million dollar contract and played five seasons in Washington.  Josh Morgan signed a 5 year $12 million dollar contract with $7.5 million guaranteed. Morgan only got 724 yards and two touchdowns over his first two years, resulting in his release in 2014.

The other signings of note were Brandon Meriweather and Cedric Griffin. Meriweather spent the majority of his three seasons with the Redskins injured. Griffin played in nine games before being suspended for four games by the NFL for violating the substance policy. He was not re-signed after the season. This was another free agency gone by with just one impact player added.

Allen’s biggest move in 2012 is well known by Redskins fans, Rams fans, and NFL fans alike. Now I won’t dive into the deep complexity of the Robert Griffin III saga in Washington and everyone involved, but I will make note of the decision to draft him and what that move cost the organization.

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It goes without question that owner Daniel Synder was a huge factor in the decision to trade up with the Rams, allowing the Redskins to select RG3 second overall.  That being said, part of the general manager’s job is to work with the owner and make the best decision possible.

The Redskins desperation for a franchise quarterback caused them to trade three first round picks and one second round pick for the No. 2 overall pick. RG3 and the 2012 Redskins were nothing short of magical. However, Allen’s trade would go on to cripple the Redskins ability to improve their team for years. Even if you want to assign the majority of blame to Snyder, it still happened on Allen’s watch.

The rest of the 2012 was comprised of eight more players in addition to RG3. Of those eight, only two are noteworthy. Alfred Morris who was a massive part of the 2012 season and Kirk Cousins whose future impact could not possibly be realized at the time. From the 2012 draft class, one player is still on the team today. And he might not be for that much long. For those of you keeping count, that’s three players (Williams, Kerrigan, Cousins) still on the team today from Allen’s first three years drafting.

The Redskins finished 10-6 in Allen’s third year, earning first place in the division and a wildcard playoff spot.

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