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Source: Shanahan next on the Redskins' wish list

With the Washington Redskins successfully making a mockery of the Rooney Rule by announcing via e-mail the hiring of General Manager Bruce Allen exactly 114 minutes after announcing via e-mail that the job had become vacant, there’s another fairly significant step in this remaking of the franchise.

Per a league source with knowledge of the current dynamics of the organization, former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan has been targeted by the Redskins as the next head coach.

And even though Allen currently is getting the press, the guy who’ll be running the show is Shanahan. 

The Redskins quietly have been pursuing Shanahan for months.  Reports emerged earlier in the season that Shanahan twice rejected offers to become the team’s new coach.  The thinking was that Shanahan wanted to survey other possible vacancies before making a commitment.

And while he has made no commitment to the Redskins, we’re told that the resignation of Cerrato and the hiring of Allen is the first tangible step in the process. 

So even though Allen and Shanahan have no history of collaboration and despite more obvious ties between Allen and former Bucs and Raiders coach Jon Gruden, the source predicts very confidently that coach Jim Zorn eventually will quit or be fired — and that Shanahan will get the job.

The only remaining question is whether the announcements will be made 114 minutes apart.

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51 Responses to “Source: Shanahan next on the Redskins' wish list”
  1. homercles82 says: Dec 17, 2009 1:08 PM

    You are an idiot Florio. The NFL said they complied and they do have multiple BLACK assistant coaches they could have interviewed. The ROONEY RULE ITSELF IS A MOCKERY! F–K YOU FLORIO!

  2. boysroll says: Dec 17, 2009 1:17 PM

    Is there any other team in this league that runs their operation as bad as this? It is Synder being Synder….all the press this year has been so negative etc so now let’s make these in season high profile announcements so I can get some PR nationally during a time other teams are fighting for the playoffs or going undefeated…..
    Plus his team is playing nationally monday night and he is probably doign it too because the fan base is jumping ship left and right..thats all i hear are fans sellign tickets to the visiting team and giving tickets away so he needs to kiss up to the fan base.
    I thought the Raiders were the worst run org but now the skins have that title….where is that little weasel too? he never comes out and discusses what they are doing etc but comes out to sue financially stapped fans and makes sure anti Synder signs are taken away from the paying customer….lmfao.

  3. PFTiswhatitis says: Dec 17, 2009 1:20 PM

    “homercles82 says:
    December 17, 2009 1:08 PM
    You are an idiot Florio. The NFL said they complied and they do have multiple BLACK assistant coaches they could have interviewed. The ROONEY RULE ITSELF IS A MOCKERY! F–K YOU FLORIO!”
    Wow! Herre’s my proof that you are more than inconsistent with your lame ass censorship. You’ll censor a comment that you dont agree with but then let this fool post a
    “F–K YOU FLORIO!”
    I agree with the last part of his comment. “F–K YOU FLORIO!”

  4. imabigdog says: Dec 17, 2009 1:20 PM

    The Rooney Rule is a mockery of common sense. There needs to be some level of degrees to this rule. Am I suppose to beleive that some O-Coord or D-Coord is more qualified to run my team then a coach that has 2 Superbowls. In other words, If I can get Mike Shanahan, why should I have to interview anyone else.

  5. mooremi9 says: Dec 17, 2009 1:22 PM

    Shannahan looks like the puppets from Team America World Police.
    Little wooden midget

  6. kennykenn21 says: Dec 17, 2009 1:22 PM

    U are an Idiot Florio, stop crying about the damn Rooney rule!!!
    If the NFL says all is good, then Shut up about it already!!!
    There is no question u hate the redskins for some reason, u mock them any chance u get!
    Just report the facts and keep the personal crap to urself!!
    HAIL REDSKINS!!!! Great move!!!

  7. Bills=Heartbreak says: Dec 17, 2009 1:23 PM

    He’s talking about for the GM position, not the coaching. Be easy guy.

  8. Bender says: Dec 17, 2009 1:23 PM

    Incredibly intelligent post homercles. I look forward to your insight in the future. Why don’t you start a dinky blog and have it eventually become one of the best websites concerning the NFL.
    Your intelligence should make that a breeze for you.

  9. Teek says: Dec 17, 2009 1:27 PM

    There should be a Mickey Rooney rule. There aren’t enough short coaches in the NFL and it just isn’t fair.

  10. notocutler says: Dec 17, 2009 1:29 PM

    Just because they didn’t reveal their interviewee to comply with the Rooney Rule doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. How about this Florio, you reveal your source and Snyder will reveal who he interviewed?

  11. encinitasraider says: Dec 17, 2009 1:32 PM

    calm down homercles82…you sound like white trash…

  12. ducej11 says: Dec 17, 2009 1:32 PM

    Actually homercles82, your the idiot. Why would they interview an assistant coach for the GM position? That seems to be a pretty big promotion.
    I do agree with you that the Rooney Rule itself is a mockery.

  13. swervinmervin says: Dec 17, 2009 1:36 PM

    Bruce Allen and Al Davis were pretty tight. Interesting that Allen will now be working with Davis’ sworn enemy – Mike Shanahan.

  14. kennykenn21 says: Dec 17, 2009 1:37 PM

    Go cry to ur mommy Florio!!!
    Im Hispanic but come on man, we live in the year 2009!
    If u want someone to run ur ship and he so happens to be white, then who cares!

  15. Quagmire says: Dec 17, 2009 1:38 PM

    Allens contract is written on the back of an old EEO poster.

  16. dcfan-1212450 says: Dec 17, 2009 1:38 PM

    The NFL said the Skins complied with the Rooney Rule, so get off that angle. Bruce Allen is NOT a puppet GM. So hiring Shanahan will still be a good move, but he will not have full GM authority. Probably like an assistant GM for Shanahan and Allen will be his boss. I think the only reason this will happen is because NFL teams have remove coaches who have both responsibilities. Either be Bill Parcells in the office or be Bill Bellicik on the sidelines, no more both. Shanahan wanted both, but i dont think any team was willing to give him that. Also, was your source of this Adam Sheftler of ESPN, who has been reporting this possibility since the announcement of Cerrato stepping down???

  17. NFLJunkie says: Dec 17, 2009 1:39 PM

    I have my money on Florio buying a new toupee in exactly 114 minutes.

  18. hordak says: Dec 17, 2009 1:42 PM

    As a Skins fan I hope it is not Shanahan.

  19. Thor says: Dec 17, 2009 1:42 PM

    If the NFL wants to be all touchy, feely and diverse then why don’t their players more accurately match the population at large? They are majority black. They should be forced to have more white players. Where are the Asian players? I don’t know of any Indian (from India) players. Definitely no Middle Eastern players. Lastly, how about women? Women make up half the population, why aren’t there women players?
    My point is, political correctness is STUPID. Best person should get the job and if you own a company, you should be able to hire who you damn well please.
    Merry Christmas!!! (Enough of this Happy Holidays crap)

  20. dcfan-1212450 says: Dec 17, 2009 1:46 PM

    @boysroll
    Plus his team is playing nationally monday night and he is probably doign it too because the fan base is jumping ship left and right..thats all i hear are fans sellign tickets to the visiting team and giving tickets away so he needs to kiss up to the fan base.
    __________________________________
    Where on earth did you read that? Your entire point clearly appears made up. Redskins fans are the most loyal in the league, hence why we make a big deal on every single personal move when we are out of the playoff hunt and the season is near an end. And with Jerry Jones running the Cowboys and being forced to hire and soon to fire Wade Phillips, your organization has the same problem the Skins do, so really you need to shut the hell up. MNF game is sold out, and watch it you dumb ass, you will see almost the entire stadium is Skins fan. Worst owners in football is as follows, Al Davis, Jerry Jones, then Dan Snyder. So Skins and Boys fans picking on eachothers owners is pointless…

  21. PSU COWBOY says: Dec 17, 2009 1:47 PM

    I think there should be a Wes Welker Rule:
    You must try out a white guy before signing any black guy… thats not racist… is it?

  22. homercles82 says: Dec 17, 2009 1:48 PM

    ducej11 says:
    December 17, 2009 1:32 PM
    Actually homercles82, your the idiot. Why would they interview an assistant coach for the GM position? That seems to be a pretty big promotion.
    I do agree with you that the Rooney Rule itself is a mockery.
    _________________________
    Grammar ftl.
    Plus they can interview whoever they want for the GM position but they have to make sure one of them is a minority.

  23. Cranbo says: Dec 17, 2009 1:51 PM

    Florio,
    I’m pretty sure Snyder didn’t take 114 minutes and hire Bruce Allen. He’s probably had multiple interviews with the guy.
    Following that, he probably has had multiple interviews with minorities for the GM position over the last few weeks too.
    Only after all that, and deciding on Bruce Allen, did Snyder force Cerrato to resign.
    Makes sense, doesn’t it?

  24. VinnyC says: Dec 17, 2009 1:52 PM

    Okay here’s the skinny. My buddy Danster told me that he ran a check on the Allen family tree. He found traces of lineage that connect him to chief sitting bull. He also found that he was 65 degrees of seperation from Fredrick Douglas. What dose this all mean?
    Bruce covers 2 quotas. We now have the American Indian and Black Vote.
    Gotta go update my resume….. See ya!

  25. Xenu_D_Alien says: Dec 17, 2009 1:53 PM

    Why would a team be obligated to announce to the world that a position is available? If they can’t get the guy they want, they might want to keep the guy they already have. It would be pretty awkward to bring a guy back if it’s public knowledge the team was trying to replace them. Jay Cutler says hi.

  26. chapnasty says: Dec 17, 2009 1:55 PM

    What does the random minority feel when he is just being interviewed to follow some rule as opposed to being qualified and seriously considered? Affirmative action and rules like this are shameful to minorities.

  27. wwwmattcom says: Dec 17, 2009 2:01 PM

    Ah, I want Shanahan to go to Buffalo where he can be a GM and a coach. Come Mike come to Buffalo! Florio, do some investigative reporting and find out who Buffalo WILL sign. Make sure it’s good or I will not like you.

  28. Twiz says: Dec 17, 2009 2:04 PM

    Lord Florio, your own post makes you look like an absolute tool!
    You state:”The Redskins quietly have been pursuing Shanahan for months.”
    Is it not possible that the Redskins have quietly been interviewing people for the job for months as well?
    Just because they do not wish to name the people they interviewed means absolutely NOTHING!
    You claim that the Redskins have made a mockery of the Rooney Rule, I put forth that you make a mockery of those of us with actual football knowledge each and every day! Most of the comments here have proven that multiple times! (No Vox, Bob Nelson et all, this does not include you)

  29. mzilla99 says: Dec 17, 2009 2:09 PM

    “boysroll says:
    December 17, 2009 1:17 PM
    Plus his team is playing nationally monday night and he is probably doign it too because the fan base is jumping ship left and right..”
    what are you an idiot? of course this is PR move for the fans. this move has all the theatrics of a broadway show. Sign a local legend’s son who made his name with a certain coach who will be announcing on MNF. Brilliant move. Can’t hate that. Let’s see if it works.
    Or maybe your team can show us how to run a team when you fire Wade and Garrett this offseason.

  30. Click Here To Continue Reading... says: Dec 17, 2009 2:11 PM

    “There should be a Mickey Rooney rule. There aren’t enough short coaches in the NFL and it just isn’t fair.”
    They should make an Andy Rooney rule, too

  31. turgid says: Dec 17, 2009 2:14 PM

    boysroll says:
    December 17, 2009 1:17 PM
    Is there any other team in this league that runs their operation as bad as this?
    In answer to your question: The Cowboys
    The good news is that now there is no VD in washington but there still is plastiface running the show for the CowGirls.
    Why don’t you and your Butt Buddy Vox go do like the rest of the Broke Back Mountain Cowboys and fade off into the December sunset

  32. boysroll says: Dec 17, 2009 2:19 PM

    hey dcfan…f u too buddy…u dont like my opinion dont read it u moron…typical 4skin fan with your cocky a.. reply..u guys can dish it out but cant take the truth……
    face it…your org is the most poorly run in the league..dont give me that crap about the stadium being sold out with skin fans..i know alot of people that go and half the stadium for boys, eagles, steelers games r the visiting team….idiot.

  33. Favre On HGH says: Dec 17, 2009 2:36 PM

    Rooney Rule makes a mockery of common sense.
    It is there to please the Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson’s of the world.
    People don’t want equal rights anymore they want special rights.
    Can’t wait for Gays to start asking for their spots in management.

  34. homercles82 says: Dec 17, 2009 2:39 PM

    Goodell has reported to the Washington times that the Redskins were in contact with the NFL head offices and followed all rules.
    http://www.washingtontimes.com/weblogs/redskins/2009/dec/17/redskins-followed-rule/
    so go eff yourself Florio

  35. Richm2256 says: Dec 17, 2009 2:44 PM

    If Zorn were going to quit, he would have done it weeks ago. Nope, they’re going to have to “pay the man!”.

  36. boysroll says: Dec 17, 2009 2:44 PM

    hey dcfan…forgot to mention…jerry has 3 SB’s and your weasel leader has O. Our team the last 20 games has won 15…..
    I think i made my point u chump.

  37. NASHDOG says: Dec 17, 2009 2:46 PM

    113 minutes, 114 minutes….who gives a shit, Florio?? Since when does the NFL worry about splitting hairs on rules it never meant to enforce in the first place? Give it a rest, for God’s sake!

  38. efangule says: Dec 17, 2009 2:47 PM

    I think all these news organizations thy are complaining about the Rooney rule are actually just upset that they got scooped!! BUG TIME!!
    I bet they ate thinking “there were no rumors about snyder interviewing anybody, so he couldn’t have don’t it!!”
    How about thinking maybe, juuust maybe, thy kept a kid on what they were doing. Did that cross their mind?
    Probably not. It’s easier to just this out inflamitory news articles saying they didn’t comply even though they don’t hbe any first hand knowledge.

  39. efangule says: Dec 17, 2009 2:56 PM

    I think all these news organizations that are complaining about the Rooney rule are actually just upset that they got scooped!! BIG TIME!!
    I bet they are thinking “there were no rumors about snyder interviewing anybody, so he couldn’t have don’t it!!”
    How about thinking maybe, juuust maybe, they kept a lid on what they were doing. Did that cross their mind?
    Probably not. It’s easier to just dish out inflamitory news articles saying they didn’t comply even though they don’t have any first hand knowledge.

    this time with spell correcting. As much as possible of course. Stupid iPhone.

  40. bake says: Dec 17, 2009 2:59 PM

    Now for the truth…..
    Zorn will get canned, just like Marty. The last few weeks they team is finally starting to get the hang of the system. They should keep it intact if it works good the next 3 games. But just like Marty they will throw everything out and start all over, just when things are starting to click.
    And we’ll wait for another several years for the team to be built up……Quit changing things, leave it alone long enough to grow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  41. chrismoore06 says: Dec 17, 2009 3:02 PM

    Florio, you really need to take it down a notch. I support the Rooney Rule, but to say it only took 114 minutes to do the search is ridiculous. This has OBVIOUSLY been in the works for some time and just because they kept it close to the vest and the media didn’t know doesn’t mean a search didn’t happen. http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/nflnewsfeed/2009/12/redskins-in-compliance-with-rooney-rule.html

  42. Chefd says: Dec 17, 2009 3:09 PM

    There is no rule that says a team must fire an employee before interviewing thier replacement. Florio, I argee with the rest of the board you are an absolute idiot. The Redskins could have been interviewing candidates for Vinnie’s job for months. Hell, Vinnie probably sat in on the inviews with The Danny.

  43. dcfan-1212450 says: Dec 17, 2009 3:15 PM

    @boysroll
    hey dcfan…f u too buddy…u dont like my opinion dont read it u moron…typical 4skin fan with your cocky a.. reply..u guys can dish it out but cant take the truth……
    face it…your org is the most poorly run in the league..dont give me that crap about the stadium being sold out with skin fans..i know alot of people that go and half the stadium for boys, eagles, steelers games r the visiting team….idiot.
    __________________________________
    Was that english?
    Half the stadium huh, right buddy, right. Your dreamin. And as a typical cowboy fan your living in the 90s. How many playoff wins do the cowboys have this decade? 0? Hell the Redskins have 1, thats how sad that stat really is. Live in the now. The Cowboys had Parcells and picked TO over him, look how that worked out. Your team is as disfunctional as ours if not worse. And all outsiders agree Jerry Jones is the problem. Just like Daniel Snyder. So i say again, picking on eachothers owners is pointless. But Cowboy fans have a lot of trouble with english comprehension…

  44. Asswipe Johnson (Pronounced Az-Wee-Pay) says: Dec 17, 2009 3:38 PM

    Shanahan huh?
    My source told me Russ Grimm would be the targeted choice at head coach after the season.

  45. Pingon says: Dec 17, 2009 3:50 PM

    Florio, change your name to Sharpton or Jackson. While you’re at it, open your mouth and catch some dripping … if you know what I mean.

  46. SkinsDan says: Dec 17, 2009 4:37 PM

    Hey boysroll, have you ever even been to Dallas? You are a typical DC area, fake ass Cowboy’s fan who probably jumped the bandwagon from the Skins in the 90′s.
    Go troll the Dallas threads, and when the Cowboy’s are actually relevant again, you can trash on the Skins.

  47. eagles_2031 says: Dec 17, 2009 4:38 PM

    bruce allen is such a puppet gm, livng in tampa and hearing day in and day out of how gruden ran that team and picks it was obvious. secondly allen cant draft worth a dam so you have the same problem, crappy draft picks, bad free agent over the hill signings and a owner who is such an egomaniac he will never win. why not bring in matt millen too, he was great at what he did too.
    shanahan cant fix whatis wrong with the deadskins. they have no talent to work with, campbell is not the answer and your best player cooley

  48. Start Colt Brennan says: Dec 17, 2009 4:44 PM

    I’m going to miss the “Sherm and Sherm Touchdown Factory”

  49. BBrophy1 says: Dec 17, 2009 4:55 PM

    Where’s the link between the 2 moves? Was there bad blood between Cerrato and shanahan in their San Francisco days? How do we know the 2 moves aren’t independent of each other?
    Plus I love all the comments that make it seem like Florio made the rule! Reading comprehension has failed many of you. Bring back the comment rankings!

  50. CHECK!ONE) says: Dec 17, 2009 9:24 PM

    Mad respect Florio, I am a fan of yours. These classless haters need to stop feeling themselves so much. STOP DISS”N FLORIO BITCHEZ! P.S. as a hardcore Bronco fan I know Shanahan is only a mediocore caliber coach.

  51. NFLMMAfan says: Dec 17, 2009 9:49 PM

    “Darth Vinneous, report to Six Flags and squash the rebellion.”
    “Yes, Darth Midgetous.”
    Bwa ha ha! A happy day for skins fans. ONE of the idiots in management is gone.

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