This_Guy said:
I don't recall seeing it in here, but I apologize if this is old info.
I read earlier this week that AJ Smith is out of the picture. I guess they couldn't finalize a deal with him and parted ways. Sounds kind of like the negotiating was lingering then they got McLaughlin and lost interest in Smith.
Really glad to hear this. I think that guy is bad news. Seemed to rub people the wrong way everywhere he was. He had some success but it always seemed like his ego got in the way of true level of success possible.
Smith is gone. They could not agree on a contract.
The bottom line: The Redskins hired McLoughin. If Smtih was the right guy, he could have had the GM job.
The Redskins asked Green Bay for permission to interview a guy named Hightower, presumably for a high level, front office position under McLoughin. Although they were denied, the Redskins would have presumable created a position for him if the interview went well. They could have done the same for Smith if he was the right guy. But they did not.
In the end, AJ Smith wasn't the right guy, for whatever reason.