The Redskins Blog

Executive vice president and general manager Bruce Allen held a press conference today, partially to discuss the firing of Jim Zorn and partially as an end of year wrap up. He spoke mostly in generalities and offered little in the way of specifics, but I’m fine with that for one simple reason: even without hearing the details, I felt like he was working from a plan. And that — as so many of you have pointed out in the comments here — is what the team seemed to be lacking this year: a clear plan driven by a specific vision. Even with Allen being understandably reticent to reveal his offseason strategy less than twelve hours into the postseason, it felt like that concern had been addressed.

Even among the generalities, there was plenty to like. Take this quote, for example, which looks like it could’ve been taken straight from the comments section here:

“We have to build the foundation,” Allen said. “We have to get the right disciplines in place in order for players to succeed in our environment. I believe that the coaches work hard. I believe the players work hard. We have to work in harmony. That’s why the status quo has to end. We have to change the ways we have been doing business. The players are going to embrace it.”

The other thing I liked, which doesn’t show up in the quotes after the jump (transcribed and compiled by the diligent team of Redskins Media Relations intern/ninjas) was Allen’s evasiveness on the subject of the next head coach. The Washington Post’s Jason Reid asked doggedly, repeatedly, and creatively, and every time Allen managed to deflect the question — but he did it in a non-confrontational joking way. It’s a difficult thing to describe, but whatever it was, it made for a much more amiable room than I’ve experienced before — even when Reid inadvertently referred to Allen as “Jim” (as in “Zorn”), which could’ve been all kinds of awkward.

The rest of the quotes, after the jump.

“Obviously this morning we made a decision to relieve Jim Zorn of his duties. When we came back, I talked to Jim in his office and notified him of such. He was disappointed but very professional. Over the last three weeks I have gotten to know him well, and felt that this was the right time to make that decision for the Redskins. Today starts our 2010 season – as I have discussed with our staff, the coaches, and our players here just a while ago. We have a direction that we want to go, and will go, starting today.”

“We met with them. Their position with the Redskins will be determined by the next head coach. Remember, this is a very volatile period in the NFL. Last year there were 11 coaching changes – that’s a third of the league. We want to be very considerate to their families and the issues. We are going to be in constant dialogue with them and keep them updated on the process.”

“I’m not going to get into that. I’m not going to discuss that because of privacy issues for them. I will say this – it’s real clear that we are going to be aggressive. What we are looking for in a head coach is somebody that can lead these men that we have in our locker room to levels that they haven’t played to before. What I asked of the players on the team, was a commitment that they hadn’t given before. We are going to try that type of person, who is a winner, passionate about the Redskins, and passionate about football.”

“I’m not going to put a timeframe on it. We are going to get the right person. I’m a little biased maybe, with coaches, but I think that the head coach in the NFL is the most demanding executive position in professional sports. He has to manage over 100 people, getting them to focus in one direction, for a common goal – which is to win. We are going to make the right selection before we get our person.”

“I have been here three weeks and I have been able to witness and evaluate. I’ve been able to listen to some players and I’ve listened to the coaches. I just know that last place is not Redskin football. Last place two years in a row is not Redskin football. Today we can start building the foundation that would make us successful in the future.”

“We are in the process of talking to people. I’m not going to go backwards and forwards with you but we have a good game plan of what we are going to do and it’s to find that person that I described. Somebody that can lead the men that were in this room earlier. That’s going to make the difference for us.”

“It’s a little premature to talk about that. I really look forward to talking to our players in the next few weeks. I

met with a few of them today. They are giving me a good message. They understand that it’s about hard work.

The formula for success in the NFL hasn’t changed since Coach (George) Halas was coaching – teamwork, plus talent, equals success. The players are hungry. They’re unsatisfied. The fans are unsatisfied, and the organization is unsatisfied with the results. We do live in a results based business. That’s what makes it the best sport there is.”

“We have to build the foundation. We have to get the right disciplines in place in order for players to succeed in our environment. I believe that the coaches work hard. I believe the players work hard. We have to work in harmony. That’s why the statusquo has to end. We have to change the ways we have been doing business. The players are going to embrace it.”

“It’s an evolving decision. The record speaks for itself. This morning whenever our plane arrived, Jim and I went back to his office and discussed it at that time. I’ve seen it work in different ways with different teams, but Jim and I had talked previously that, once a decision was made to please let him know. That’s what we did.”

“No, I don’t believe so. I believe that we have to do everything today, to get better for the future. What that gets us in number of wins this [coming] year, I can’t make that promise. I do know one thing – that the organization is going to do everything it can to be successful in the immediate future. The direction that the players understand right now, and that our coaches understand is that.”

“I think that with a team with a 4-12 record you cannot really be that specific. Free agency will be a different crop than everybody’s used to because of the limitations with the uncapped year. That’s why I’m saying that we need to find the passionate coach, a winning coach, that can come in and lead the men that were in this room earlier, because maybe some of our greatest improvements are our players that are already on the roster playing better.”

“I think that the best way to improve a team is by addition, rather than subtraction. We’re going to add to the talent wherever we can, whether it’s through free agency, trades, or the draft to supplement the talent here. With the direction of our new coaches, we’ll see where it takes us, but any way that we can improve this team – there is a commitment from this organization and our ownership – let’s find it, and let’s improve it.”

“Coach Zorn focused on his upcoming game (last Sunday’s game against the San Diego Chargers), which I think is admirable and is what he should’ve done. I don’t think he was as worried about his future as he was the San Diego game, and leading up to it. I think he was disappointed, and maybe surprised, but he was professional.”

“Well, he’s got a lot of starts. He’s at 51 starts now in the NFL. He has seen a lot of different looks and I don’t think he’s played his best football yet. I think that’s in front of him. “

“Any way that we can augment our talent, whether it’s in personnel or whether it’s in medical field, or whether it’s in scouting, we shall do that. We’re going to make sure that status quo is gone. We’re going to change the way that we’ve done business, and I think that maybe some new people will be added to the staff, but right now the focus is on finding that winning head coach.”

“You really can’t look at the talent from just a three game window, that would be unfair to the players. Look at the talent over the whole season and the previous seasons, and then come out and meet with the new staff to see how we’re going to put people in positions to be successful, and then decide what’s good for them. It’s premature to come out with any final grades on anybody right now.”

“I’ve loved it so far. This building is committed to winning. Our owner has got a lot of energy, and drive, and trust in us to make the decisions to make the right decisions for this team. So far, I’m excited about the opportunity. We have to build the walls of the foundation, we’re going to lay the cement soon, and hopefully build a beautiful home.”

“I’m looking for someone who can fill the leadership position. Somebody who has passion for the game of football and can communicate with the players and get them to perform. I want someone who embraces the Redskins’ history. I think that’s very important. I was talking to some of the players today and they are very proud of the history and they want to live up to their previous team’s accomplishments. It’s really about leadership and getting the right person.”