Ken Harvey laying the thunder. Image via www.afxleague.com

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I am certainly ready for some non-Bruce Allen/Vinny Cerrato discussions. You? A big tailgating topic is why haven't the Redskins moved Orakpo to DE full-time? Ken Harvey and I spoke earlier about his personal experiences and thoughts yesterday:

Ken Harvey: In Arizona when I was drafted, all my career [at the University of California] I was a pass rusher . It's all I did. That's how I made my name, and I assumed that's why they drafted me. I get to the pros, and they say "Well, you don't look big enough to be a linebacker. We're going to make you a 3rd down cover guy." I've never covered in my life. Didn't know how to cover. I get to practice and people are juking me off my feet.  Because I had a decent 40 time, they said "he's suppose to cover somebody." So all of a sudden, I made a purpose intentionally every day in practice to beat their offensive line so they knew I was a pass rusher. Because if I didn't, they would have made me a 3rd down cover guy saying "he can't cover anybody" and my career would have been over with. I would have been labeled a bust. Once you get a title with you, that title goes with you everywhere you go. That decision could have ruined my career had I not destroyed their offensive line in practice all the time.

Awesome that my recorder crapped out for this next part, but we next talked about Orakpo. I asked him about what all fans think: Why not have Orakpo play every down as DE?

Harvey mentioned that there is a beating the body endures consistently taking on 300 pound run blockers. Having him as LB reduces that punishment while also increases the number of blitz schemes and rushing lanes for Orakpo (since he is moved around). We saw this against Oakland since two of his sacks were from the LB position. Orakpo last week laughed in an interview when asked if he was too small to play DE full-time. It's clear Orakpo, like Ken Harvey, wants to go after the QB. With Ken's success at LB, no one will hear me complaining anymore about how the Redskins are using Orakpo.

Ken Harvey: That game against Oakland was every Linebacker's dream. Banged up line. Quarterback that doesn't know what he's doing.

Kevin: So you would have gotten four sacks?

Ken Harvey: (with a big smile) "I woulda had five!"

Ken Harvey: 6'2" 237 lbs.
Brian Orakpo: 6'3" 260 lbs.

Note: The SoberRide® program, which Ken Harvey is promoting, will be offered from 10:00pm to 6:00am nightly, now through January 1, 2010. To receive a free cab ride home (up to a $50.00 fare), patrons may call 800-200-8294 (TAXI)

I know Shanahan is the front-runner, but anyone (Junkies I'm talking to you) who is lobbying for Jon Gruden as the next Redskins head coach needs to SERIOUSLY re-think it for the following two reasons. 

Mr. Snyder, PLEASE ask Gruden to have answers for these issues (if you are interviewing him). Five straight years of porous draft selection is Matt Millen-esque. 

1.) Gruden's draft history. From 2004-2008, Gruden and Bruce Allen combined for only ONE pro-bowler over 44 draft picks (see full grid of picks after the jump). The Gaines Adams pick is still a very touchy subject in Tampa. McKay built that Super Bowl team and Gruden ran him out. The Super Bowl team Gruden "built" in Oakland was mainly in free agency (Gannon, Woodson, Romanowksi,etc).

McKay, the architect of the Bucs' Super Bowl championship team, left because of philosophical differences with Gruden, who clashed with the former GM over numerous personnel decisions.

2.) Gruden's relationship with players is VERY suspect. He divides locker rooms and that is a bad fit for a GM who establishes a relationship with players. From my interview with my relative who has contacts with the Tampa Bay organization:

Gruden used to say he couldn't put Galloway and Bryant on the same field at the same time, which is baloney. If you're the offensive genius that has a playbook that looks like the New York phone books, you can do anything you want to do. Galloway got in his dog house. He ran off Keyshawn. He ran off Joe Jurevicius. He's run off a lot of players here.

He put Michael Clayton in the dog house. He caught 80 balls his rookie year, then he wouldn't even throw to him in practice. He basically humiliated Chris Sims.

Horrible draft history of Gruden after the jump...

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More photos » by Manuel Balce Ceneta - AP

1 day ago: Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder, right, adjusts his microphone at a news conference to introduce the new Redskins General Manager Bruce Allen, left, Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009, in Ashburn, Va. The Washington Redskins overhauled their front office Thursday morning, hiring Bruce Allen as general manager after the resignation of Vinny Cerrato. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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I don't know about you, but the party is not stopping for me until Tuesday morning. In a moment of clarity, I decided to dive deep into Bruce Allen's past to see exactly what the Redskins are getting. First off, it's nice having someone that is personable that doesn't make me want to gauge my eyes out when he talks. When there is a plan in place, Bruce is someone who will communicate it to the fans. Second, I was under the impression the Bucs horrible run in Tampa was his fault. That would be inaccurate. Bruce is not a talent evaluator...he relies on his coach and scouts to make draft picks. Instead, he is a free agent and salary cap guy.

Bruce has held a similar role the last 20 years from his time with the Raiders and Buccaneers. Bruce Allen commented on his style when he was in Oakland:

Bruce Allen: "We have always believed the players really manage it. When we wanted to sign extra players last year, we went to our current players and told them what we needed to do, and they worked with us to free up room. We have a constant dialogue with our veterans about what we want to accomplish."

    Mike Lombardi added his expertise on Allen's style:

Mike Lombardi: "Obviously the coach has a lot of say in what [Allen] runs. Y'know, Bruce doesn't bring the offense or the defense to the team. It just becomes a situation where the coach -- say, with Jon [Gruden], it was a West Coast Offense -- and Bruce has great respect for coaches, and he values their opinions and he values their input."

So, the Redskins draft picks will be HEAVILY influenced by Dan Snyder the Redskins' next head coach. I had a family member who worked in the Tampa Bay organization, and it was well known that Gruden was making all the draft decisions throughout the decade. After the jump, I highlight Bruce Allen's 3 best/worst moves as GM for the Bucs, and his free agent moves that led to the Oakland Super Bowl run.

Rod Woodson, who was signed by Bruce in Oakland, talked about Bruce's fearlessness:

Rod Woodson: He knows football. He's not scared to cut players who need to be cut.    

Looks like the over-priced free-agent train is about to hit it's final stop. 2009. 

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SoberRide® program will be offered from 10:00pm to 6:00am nightly, December 11th, 2009 to January 1, 2010. To receive a free cab ride home (up to a $50.00 fare), patrons may call 800-200-8294 (TAXI) Pictured: Me, Ken, Elizabeth Balduino (Taylor PR)

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I had the pleasure of eating lunch with Ken Harvey yesterday chatting about Cerrato, Larry Centers, his bad hands, Norv, Orakpo, and Tiger. He's a busy man with all his community work; his latest endeavor promoting SoberRide, which is a free cab service running now through January 1st 6AM in the DC/MD/VA area. You can't beat a cab free ride. Seriously, just add this number (1-800-200-TAXI) in your phone now and you're ready to go for the holidays.

Ken Harvey: It's an opportunity where you may not see a result, but it could save your life. It could save someone else's life. It makes a difference. The worst thing would be to hear about somebody who's been in an accident for something that could have been prevented ... and it's free. 

What I've learned about football is to take the opportunities that are in front of you. It's not judgmental that you can't drink. It's about being responsible and that goes for everything in life. You might as well take advantage of it.

Kevin: You should get the Fun Bunch to promote this! OK...so what's your thought on Vinny's firing?

Ken Harvey: I knew it was going to happen. I didn't have inside sight, but by the way things were going, they were going to make changes. Even if things this season ended well, they may have kept him, but he wouldn't have stayed in that position. 

Kevin: And Bruce Allen?

Ken Harvey: I don't know him, but I know his brother. It's a strategic move on Snyder's part. We'll see how it plays out. The talent is here on the team. It's obvious what they need for the future. It's just are you going to get the right people in the future? If we keep Jason, it's about how can we get young guys that are hungry and want to play offensive line? That's up to the scouts to find the gems. 

Kevin: It's hard to believe with your 4 Pro-Bowls you only had 1 career INT. Can you walk me through it!?

Ken Harvey: Well, one during the regular season. My biggest one was during the Pro Bowl and I ran it back for a touch-down. I had hands of stone...couldn't catch.

Kevin: Carlos Rogers!

Ken Harvey: (laughs) Something like that. It goes back to when I was kid playing softball in 5th grade. Someone hits a high fly ball I go to catch it...miss it...it hits me dead in my nose. Tears coming down my eyes. I was fine. Next play...someone hits a high fly again. Same thing. Because I'm freaking out from the first time, I moved my head out of the way then I moved back into it. Ever since then, whenever a ball's coming at me, you know. Football is about confidence. I never really developed confidence on catching the ball, In retrospect, I should have gone back and practiced on catching the ball, but instead I focused on rushing the passer. And that was my true love...getting to the Quarterback.

Kevin: What was it like playing with Larry Centers?

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We all know the reality; Vinny Cerrato was fired. Cerrato has been getting publicly bashed by some of the most respected names in the industry, Charley Casserly, Steve Largent and Mike Holmgren included. It had gotten to the point where Snyder was unable to recruit coaches because of Cerrato's presence and that is exactly what it is.

The Redskins have found their new coach/GM and his condition is that Cerrato is gone. As PFT mentioned, Holmgren makes a lot of sense. He has an affinity for Zorn and the WCO pieces are in place...assuming of course is allowed to keep a role in D.C.

In addition, Mr. Snyder's popularity had reached lows lower than Tiger Woods. He knew this move would restore parts of his fan base and cash train popularity. All I can say is rejoice Redskins Nation. The Revolution has come full circle. The tailgating parties on Monday night are going to be at Super Bowl levels.

Update: [Official Redskins Press Release]

Ed Valentine, the SB Nation editor from the Giants' Big Blue View, and I had a brief gmail chat regarding the game Monday night. For those Redskins fans not up on the Giants, I should preface that the Giants defense is going through some major drama. Their defense has given up the 5^th worst points per game (25.4) while having the 9^th best pass and rush defense. Obviously, that leads to a lot of frustration since their playoff chances are in limbo. Kiwanuka stated there are "communication" problems that he described as players "getting calls and understanding what you're supposed to be doing." Tom Coughlin had to publicly state this week that defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan will remain the defensive coordinator the rest of the season amongst some calls to remove him.

KevinE: The Giants defense is 9th best in yards against, but 5th worst in points against...why is that? Bad offensive turnovers?

Ed Valentine: It has nothing to do with the offense. The offense has been terrific. It has to do with not being able to make a play when they need one. Blowing assignments that lead to big plays, not being able to get a run stop when they have to. Oh, and the fact that the kicking game/coverage teams have been awful. So, it always seems like a short field.

KevinE: Did you agree with Coughlin's decision to keep Sheridan?

Ed Valentine: Yes, I did. Switching coordinators right now is pointless, really. Can't change the whole system or staff right now. Sheridan is not without fault, and if the season goes up in flames he won't be back. But, a lot of this is on the players. A lot of guys have not lived up to their names and blown assignments, linemen getting ridden off the ball and poor tackling are on the players. Not the coordinator. So, plenty of blame to go around.

KevinE: Not to mention his secondary is depleted...Corey Webster and Aaron Ross both got banged up...u heard if they're going to play?

Ed Valentine: Webster is day to day. Ross is fine, and he has been playing at safety, and playing pretty well for being new to it, for several weeks now.

KevinE: Right tackle Kareem McKenzie is out and William Beatty the rookie is in. Is there a big drop-off there and should the Skins overload that side? 

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Redskins vs Cowboys game won't shift [WaTimes]

Portis talked about Tiger Woods [Bog]

D'Anthony Batiste cut [fanball]

NFL rules no tampering for Haynesworth [NFL.com]

Redskins playing time vs OAK [WaTimes]
(ARE's plays are down, I didn't notice Marko out there 4 times)

Portis confident he's playing next year [espn]

"I don't think for one second this could be career-ending."    

Giants have some key injuries this week from Eagles game [nj.com]
(More to come on this later today with my chat with Big Blue View)

Devin Thomas to get a lot more work on MNF [Insider]
(Kickoff, punting)

Zorn answers our lingering Randle El touchdown [Insider]

"As a coach, you've just got to have the comfort level. That's why I had Antwaan in there. You know, I had a comfort level, and it proved to be a little of a backfire, but that doesn't' mean he's not gonna catch the next 10 in a row. It's just at that particular moment, it was a bad deal."

Roy Williams thinks the Cowboys will beat the Saints [espn]

J.P. Losman signs with Raiders [espn]

More photos » by Susan Walsh - AP

Charlie Weis and Jimmy Clausen quietly put up a lot of numbers. Rumors are already heating up both will land in D.C.

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Dan Snyder and Vinny Cerrato have a real problem right now: Jason Campbell is playing too good.

That final interception in the Saints game still stings, but it's clear Campbell provides the best chance for the Redskins to make the playoffs next year. Since Campbell is the most coveted free agent QB next year, doesn't that mean the spend-freely Redskins should automatically resign him? They always sign the best!!! Sigh.

Well, whoever is the QB next year has two glaring problems: there is no RT or LT. Chris Samuels is likely retiring and Stephon Heyer is not even close to holding up that right side. That means the Skins need to get TWO tackles in FA or the draft. Obviously, we'd all love to see a Tackle drafted with the first pick, but if they didn't, who is going to protect this QB? If the Redskins thought Rinehart, Heyer, and Mike Williams were good enough to play, then Levi Jones must be the second coming of Walter Jones. I do like Levi Jones and think he could hold down that left-side next year, but his play so far this year will attract a lot of teams. Tackles aside, I really question if Snyder has already decided to let JC walk. So, in the means of allowing Snyder to accurately assess the situation, I've decided to help the front office in their decision to cut/keep Campbell with this Pro/Con list. If there's any I have missed, please comment below and I'll add to the matrix. 

Of course there is also this likelihood: Jason's outstanding play will only increase the draft pick the Redskins would get from a team if he's a restricted free agent in an uncapped year. It's hard, if not impossible, to find quality tackles in the mid-late rounds. Please address the Oline for whatever QB comes in. Extend Jason now before he hits free agency.