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Redskins Team President Bruce Allen spoke to reporters at the Senior Bowl today. Head Coach Jay Gruden was also supposed to speak, but Allen said he had stayed in Ashburn to interview assistants for his coaching staff. Allen talked about the Redskins season, Alex Smith, Colt McCoy, the new stadium, the front office and more.
#FireBruceAllen
WATCH LIVE: Redskins President Bruce Allen Speaks At The Senior Bowl https://t.co/2kfdrXIgxh
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) January 22, 2019
Alex Smith:
Bruce Allen on Alex Smith - Were optimistic if anyone can come back from the injury he can. We will see. pic.twitter.com/N057J9Mbhn
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 22, 2019
Are the Redskins planning on Alex Smith being a contributor in 2019? "We still have time to make that decision."
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) January 22, 2019
Bruce Allen in his first remarks in months is asked about Alex Smith" "We're optimistic, if anyone can come back it's Alex...we'll see." He will not say the Redskins are looking for another quarterback
— Les Carpenter (@Lescarpenter) January 22, 2019
“It was great to see him at the Wizards game yesterday.” — Bruce Allen provides an update on Alex Smith’s recovery Tuesday at the Senior Bowl. #Redskins pic.twitter.com/xVWf93Ow7r
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) January 22, 2019
Colt McCoy:
Bruce Allen on Redskins' future at QB: "We like Colt a lot. That's why we signed him to an extension last year." They met with Daniel Jones and Trace McSorley at the Senior Bowl, per @JPFinlayNBCS. https://t.co/Ih37s6fzPc
— Chris Lingebach (@ChrisLingebach) January 22, 2019
2018 season:
Allen: "Our season was a bit of a rollercoaster."
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) January 22, 2019
Bruce Allen says the team was 7-9 and the team needs to find better players.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 22, 2019
Does Allen believe the Redskins are "close?"
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) January 22, 2019
"Yeah, we were two games out of it. ... We have to find the right talent to get over the hump."
Bruce Allen says "we are in the middle of the pack. We are close." Pointed out that the Redskins missed the playoffs by two games this year, one last year and one the year before.
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) January 22, 2019
Injuries:
Bruce Allen "We were 7-9 with heart breaking injuries." Says they were a good football team before the injuries.
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) January 22, 2019
Jay Gruden:
Bruce Allen says that Gruden is interviewing assistant coach candidates and will have a full staff "in a couple weeks."
— Les Carpenter (@Lescarpenter) January 22, 2019
Allen on retaining Gruden:
— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) January 22, 2019
"We looked at the program and we felt the direction of the team was good."https://t.co/7qhgGQB06d
Bruce Allen also told reporters why they brought back Jay Gruden: "we looked at the program. We felt the direction of the team was good. We didn't get over that hurdle this year .. .and have given him the opportunity to build a staff and hopefully have a healthy team for 2019"
— John Keim (@john_keim) January 22, 2019
Greg Manusky:
Allen says Manusky took place in interviews with high-profile defensive-minded candidates
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) January 22, 2019
Bruce Allen says Greg Manusky was in the interviews with defensive coordinator candidates. He is portraying the conversations as an exchange of ideas. "We are trying to find a winning combination for 2019."
— Les Carpenter (@Lescarpenter) January 22, 2019
Redskins fans:
Allen on fans: "I think you'll see a big change in 2019." He says they've hired new business executives.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) January 22, 2019
Bruce Allen on why he is the right guy for the job: "I share their passion for this franchise."
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) January 22, 2019
Asked why he’s the right person to run the Redskins, Bruce Allen says he shares the fans passion pic.twitter.com/8zse83njgA
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 22, 2019
#FireBruceAllen:
Allen is pressed about the #FireBruceAllen movement: "The passion of our fans is fantastic, they want us to win."
— Les Carpenter (@Lescarpenter) January 22, 2019
Reuben Foster:
Bruce Allen says he thinks Reuben Foster will fit in very well as a player with the Redskins and that there is no reason to expect a suspension.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 22, 2019
Allen is addressing Reuben Foster now. "We did our homework what he had to do on the player himself," says they knew a lot of people who knew him.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) January 22, 2019
Bruce Allen asked about Alabama players saying they never talked to him about Reuben Foster as press release had claimed took place. Allen made it sound like the convo could've happened well earlier. Referenced talking to current players about this year's draft class as example.
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) January 22, 2019
New stadium:
No stadium news. “Great dialogue” w local officials.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 22, 2019
Allen on a new Redskins stadium: "Our goal is to build the best sports stadium in the world and we believe that's going to happen."
— Les Carpenter (@Lescarpenter) January 22, 2019
Allen says "it's feasible" that a new Redskins stadium will get done before FedEx Field lease expires.
— Les Carpenter (@Lescarpenter) January 22, 2019
Finally heard something good from Bruce Allen. The stadium model with the moat shown on 60 Minutes ain’t happening
— Andy Pollin (@andypollin1) January 22, 2019
Re-signing free agents:
Eric Schaffer has started some dialogue with potential free agents but Bruce Allen says that will heat up more closer to the combine. Pending free agents: Peterson, Crowder, Smith
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 22, 2019
Salary cap:
Allen says salary cap decisions will come closer to the Combjne. Team is still working on valuations internal and external
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 22, 2019
Front Office/GM:
Bruce Allen says they will not look for a GM because they like their front office: "We've got a lot of confidence in Doug (Williams) and his entire department."
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) January 22, 2019
My addition: Remember that he was told to turn off his phone and found out about Alex Smith trade when you did.
On if they'll ever fill GM vacancy left 2 years ago by McCloughan, Bruce Allen: "We got a lot of confidence in [Williams] and his entire department...Doug doesn't want to negotiate contracts. That's not his forte. He's a great leader of men and he has a super eye for talent."
— Chris Lingebach (@ChrisLingebach) January 22, 2019
Allen also told reporters in Mobile on the GM role: "We've got a lot of confidence in Doug and his entire department. Alex [Santos] running the pro side and Kyle [Smith] running college." Make no mistake: Allen is a decision maker. Just in case that wasn't clear.
— John Keim (@john_keim) January 22, 2019
Bill Callahan/Jim Tomsula:
Lots to come. But post-TV portion, asked Bruce about Callahan and Tomsula. Callahan is coming back. Tomsula: "Jay is working on assembling his staff right now."
— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) January 22, 2019
Bruce Allen says Jim Tomsula isn’t under contract but Bill Callahan is under contract and should be back. Jay Gruden is working on the coaching staff.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 22, 2019