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Bruce Allen is the General Manager of the Washington Redskins of the National Football League.^[1] Previously, Allen served as General Manager for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2004-2008) and as a Senior Executive with the Oakland Raiders (1996-2003).^[2]

Background

Allen is the son of former NFL head coach George Allen and brother of former Virginia governor and Senator George Allen.

Allen attended high school at Langley High School in McLean, Virginia and went on to the University of Richmond, where he played football for the Spiders in the 1974-1977 seasons. In his junior season, he ranked 16th nationally and broke the school record for punting, averaging 42.9 yards a kick; those numbers resulted in him being named to that year's All-ECAC and All-South Independent teams. In 1978, he was drafted in the 12th round by the Baltimore Colts.^[3]

Oakland Raiders

Allen first joined the Oakland Raiders organization in 1995. He won the George Young Executive of the Year award with the club in 2002.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Following the 2003-2004 season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers released long-time general manager Rich McKay, whose relationship with 2002 Super Bowl-winning coach Jon Gruden had deteriorated. The Glazer family, which owned and oversaw the Bucs, hired Allen to replace McKay, as Allen had worked with Gruden in Oakland.

Allen began to look for a more youthful team in Tampa Bay, immediately releasing long-time Bucs (and fan favorites) John Lynch and Warren Sapp, and drafting Auburn running back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams in the 2005 draft.

The Bucs' performance during Allen's tenure was mixed. The team was 11-5 and won the NFC South division in 2005, but went 4-12 in 2006. The team rebounded to a 9-7 record and another NFC South title in 2007, after which Allen (and Gruden) had their contracts extended to 2011. Following a second 9-7 record in 2008, however, both Allen and Gruden were released.

Allen has been credited for bringing Tampa Bay out of a dire salary cap situation, largely created during McKay's tenure.

Washington Redskins

On December 17, 2009, the Washington Redskins announced that they had hired Allen as their general manager shortly after executive vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato resigned.^[4] Allen's father coached the Redskins to its first Super Bowl appearance in 1973.

Shortly after Allen joined the Redskins, Mike Shanahan was hired as head coach and executive vice president of football operations. It was announced that Shanahan would have the final say in football matters, but it is likely that Shanahan and Allen will work in a manner similar to how Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli worked in New England. During their eight years together, Belichick and Pioli split the duties held by a general manager, but Belichick had the final say.

References