While the rest of the NFL are making front office and coaching changes, the Redskins continue to hide in the shadows of silence. A silence that is sounding a blaring alarm of panic across the entire Redskins fanbase.
Change is being demanded in our nation’s capital. Of course, that is nothing new for people in this area. No, I am not talking about our government leaders or speed camera’s in the city. (But seriously, can we please do something about those speed cameras?)
However, the frustrations throughout Washington D.C. in recent days have been focused in on the football team in burgundy and gold.
The 2018 season ended in just about the worst way imaginable, losing to the Eagles 24-0 in a sea of green at FedEx Field. As Jay Gruden and a deflated Redskins squad made their way to the locker room after the game, it seemed like every person involved had their jobs on the line. Change felt like it was imminent.
So far, the Redskins have remained silent and change has yet to be seen.
Between the dwindling numbers of fans in seats for Redskins home games, and the less than stellar television rating numbers in the local area, the Redskins fan base is at a breaking point. The disappointment of years past has turned into a boiling frustration, and the single loudest and resounding demand is for the removal of team VP Bruce Allen.
In his eight years as GM and team Vice President, Allen’s record has been far from impressive. During his time in Washington, the Redskins have had a total of three winning seasons in eight years, and one of those winning seasons was an 8-7-1 finish. To put a cherry on top, the Redskins have not won a playoff game since 2005.
Bruce Allen, in a lot of ways, represents more than just the last eight years of below average football. He represents the incompetent leadership that the Redskins have had for the past 20 years, and fans have shown that they have had enough.
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Redskins fans remember the days of Vinny Cerato, and the incompetent disconnection between coaches, the front office and players. They remember the names of bust big free agent signings like Albert Haynesworth, Bruce Smith, Deion Sanders, and Adam Archuleta.
What Dan Snyder fails to understand is that the empty stadium at FedEx Field in 2018 was not a product of 2018.
The lackluster television ratings are not because of the way that Brian Lafemina sold tickets. It is about the toxic culture that has taken over the franchise for so many years. That culture in the front office is directly reflected in the below average teams that have taken the field for the last 25 years.
Bruce Allen has yet to come out and speak to the media or fans this year. In fact, he hasn’t taken an open press conference since 2013. Whether it was the Reuben Foster signing, the release of D.J. Swearinger, or the firings of Brian Lafemina and company, Allen was nowhere to be found.
The first step in making change is admitting fault. The next step is being transparent and honest about the process. The final step is to lay out a plan and build a team to construct a foundation that people can get behind.
The Redskins have done none of the above.
If Snyder wants to avoid making FedEx Field look like Lincoln Financial in Philidelphia, or for Colts fans to take over the season opener again, Bruce Allen and Dan Snyder need to step up to the mic and own the mistakes they’ve made. The Redskins have the foundational pieces to win on the field, and they have shown it at times.
But good leaders take responsibility, and it’s time for this front office to take center stage and make a change.