Redskins president Bruce Allen had a press conference today. And nothing changed.
The Washington Redskins are at a precipice. Or perhaps, they’ve been at one for some time.
In the 1980s, the Redskins were the NFL’s dynasty. Three Super Bowls, three different quarterbacks, and a standard of success for future teams to follow. Dan Snyder bought the team around the turn of the century, and since then, the Redskins have been their predecessor’s complete and total opposite.
Today, after the firing of Jay Gruden, the sixth such occurrence under Snyder’s reign, team president Bruce Allen spoke to the media. He spoke for fourteen minutes, and yet, one could argue he didn’t say anything at all. At least, nothing new.
An inability to recognize reality
Bruce Allen was asked this question at his press conference.
“Why is it so hard [for you] to set a culture that leads to winning?”
Bruce Allen said this.
“You know, I don’t necessarily agree with the premise that [we’ve never set that culture]. Last year at this time, we’re in first place, and we’re doing well. So [the culture] was working pretty damn good. Unfortunately, our quarterback got injured.”
“The pieces are here for a winning football team. We have to put them in the right place, believe in each other, and keep fighting for our goal. There’s only one way you win. You have to work. You have to get better and beat your opponent. And that’s what we have to do. And I believe that these players and these coaches will do that.”
In this answer, Allen, perhaps unwittingly, concedes that he at least refuses, and at most is incapable, of recognizing reality in Redskins Park. In his dialogue, he seems well-meaning; he wants to win. But there is a depth to building a winning team that Allen doesn’t seem to grasp.
At every juncture, Allen has clung to this fantastical reality; that the Redskins can win right now, always. And even after an 0-5 start in 2019, a coach firing, and an almost total erosion of a fan base, he still believes this.
It is human nature that humans can learn over time, and through experience. But Allen might be literally incapable of processing the bigger picture in Ashburn. And for a team president, that might be even more dangerous than willful ignorance.
No semblance of a long-term plan
When asked about the plan to develop Dwayne Haskins, Bruce Allen said that Bill Callahan, an interim head coach who may not even maintain a role in the organization next year, has control over all personnel decisions. No word on how the actual development of Haskins, a major asset, will be approached.
There was no mention of Kevin O’Connell, and when Allen was asked about a potential head coaching search, he disregarded that notion, saying that they would have time to think about it in November or December, and that right now, they’re only focused on winning in 2019.
When asked about the status of Trent Williams, Allen said that the Redskins would not consider trading him to acquire assets. He was unwilling to admit that what the Redskins have right now isn’t good enough, and he spoke as if success in 2019 was still attainable.
The Redskins didn’t have a long-term plan to start the year when they decided to keep Jay Gruden, and they don’t have a long-term plan now that he’s gone. Allen only spoke on 2019, suggesting that there is not even a semblance of understanding, that for a franchise to win, one must have a plan.
No introspection or accountability
When reporters repeatedly referenced Allen and Snyder’s long track record of failure in Washington, Bruce Allen never looked past the immediate history. He never looked past the 0-5 start, a start which was a mere extension of a two-decade span of ineptitude.
So focused on 0-5. Not 42-75.
When asked about the Patriots’ takeover of the stadium on Sunday, and the continually declining attendance numbers from fans, Allen almost blamed the fans, jokingly exclaiming that perhaps Redskins fans “made money” by selling tickets to Patriots fans.
When Allen was asked directly about how he could be better, he treaded around the question, repeated phrases from previous answers pertaining to winning and such. Allen passes off “our best effort” as the best possible input, and does not address ways to improve. He doesn’t recognize that effort can be spent on the wrong things, and that learning is necessary to improve the efficiency and the returns of effort.
No depth. No understanding. No introspection or accountability.
State of the Redskins future
The Redskins future was murky before Bruce Allen’s press conference. Now, it’s even worse.
Bruce Allen sat in front of the lights, and he spoke, and in doing so, he showed Washington that he hasn’t changed. He hasn’t learned. And he isn’t going to get better. Allen sidestepped reality, spoke in vague generalizations, and pushed back talk of the future and the past.
Allen, if it can be believed, was partly correct in one statement, but at the same time dangerously miscalculated.
Allen said that the pieces to win are in D.C. The Redskins do have some pieces. But the puzzle extends past the roster. It extends to the coaching staff, and the front office. And as long as Bruce Allen is a piece, and as long as Dan Snyder is a piece, nothing will fit.
But Bruce Allen spoke. He’s done with it now. Back to the drawing board. To daydream. And to avoid reality’s sharp glare.