This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/new-redskins-gm-scot-mccloughan-brings-new-level-of-talent-acquisition-to-franchise/2015/01/07/c2bb0c90-96a4-11e4-aabd-d0b93ff613d5_story.html?wprss=rss_homepage

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
New Redskins GM Scot McCloughan brings new level of talent acquisition to franchise New Redskins GM Scot McCloughan brings new level of talent acquisition to franchise
(about 2 hours later)
Back when Scot McCloughan was an NFL scout, tasked with ferreting out football talent in a region of the country much like scent hounds track prey, what impressed his boss was the joy he took in the pursuit and the conviction he felt about the players he discovered.Back when Scot McCloughan was an NFL scout, tasked with ferreting out football talent in a region of the country much like scent hounds track prey, what impressed his boss was the joy he took in the pursuit and the conviction he felt about the players he discovered.
Andrew Brandt, a former vice president of the Green Bay Packers, took a special interest in McCloughan from that point on, struck by an enthusiasm and geniality that set him apart from the rest. And he followed McCloughan’s ascent after he moved on and up through the ranks of National Football League executives, helping construct Super Bowl contending rosters at San Francisco and Seattle.Andrew Brandt, a former vice president of the Green Bay Packers, took a special interest in McCloughan from that point on, struck by an enthusiasm and geniality that set him apart from the rest. And he followed McCloughan’s ascent after he moved on and up through the ranks of National Football League executives, helping construct Super Bowl contending rosters at San Francisco and Seattle.
“He’s a gem in terms of finding talent,” Brandt said of McCloughan, a former scout who honed his skills at Green Bay in the late 1990s. “That’s the name of the game.”“He’s a gem in terms of finding talent,” Brandt said of McCloughan, a former scout who honed his skills at Green Bay in the late 1990s. “That’s the name of the game.”
Now 43, McCloughan is expected to be introduced this week as Washington’s general manager, accorded full responsibility for selecting the team’s players going forward.Now 43, McCloughan is expected to be introduced this week as Washington’s general manager, accorded full responsibility for selecting the team’s players going forward.
The hiring of McCloughan, who has been hailed as a football savant for his success in divining professional potential among college prospects, will bring to the job a level of professionalism and expertise in the front office that Washington has lacked the past 15 years, nearly the full tenure of Daniel Snyder’s ownership.The hiring of McCloughan, who has been hailed as a football savant for his success in divining professional potential among college prospects, will bring to the job a level of professionalism and expertise in the front office that Washington has lacked the past 15 years, nearly the full tenure of Daniel Snyder’s ownership.
It also will usher in a fundamental shift in front-office philosophy, with McCloughan hailing from a Packers management tree that believes in identifying and developing young players rather than cherry-picking established veterans on the free-agent market. It also will usher in a fundamental shift in front-office philosophy, with McCloughan hailing from a Packers management tree that believes in identifying and developing young players rather than cherry-picking established veterans on the free agent market.
As McCoughan told the Boston Globe in 2008: Free agent splashes “can look good on paper because it’s a quick fix and fans can say, `They’re trying to get better.’ But you can’t lose sight of the bigger picture.” As McCoughan told the Boston Globe in 2008: Free agent splashes “can look good on paper because it’s a quick fix and fans can say, ‘They’re trying to get better.’ But you can’t lose sight of the bigger picture.”
Brandt, now an NFL business analyst for ESPN, explains that bigger picture.Brandt, now an NFL business analyst for ESPN, explains that bigger picture.
“Our philosophy in Green Bay was always the same: Draft and develop,” Brandt said. “Build through the draft. Trust your coaches to play young players. Avoid and eschew quick fixes. Work toward long-term success, which is the ultimate goal. I think that is what he’s going to bring to Washington.”“Our philosophy in Green Bay was always the same: Draft and develop,” Brandt said. “Build through the draft. Trust your coaches to play young players. Avoid and eschew quick fixes. Work toward long-term success, which is the ultimate goal. I think that is what he’s going to bring to Washington.”
Long-term success has become the stuff of nostalgia for the Redskins, who have finished last in the NFC East six out of the last seven years.Long-term success has become the stuff of nostalgia for the Redskins, who have finished last in the NFC East six out of the last seven years.
Four days after the team’s final indignity under first-year Coach Jay Gruden, a 44-17 loss Dec. 28 to the Dallas Cowboys that dropped its record to 4-12, the Redskins fired longtime defensive coordinator Jim Haslett. That afternoon, Redskins president and general manager Bruce Allen stood at a podium at the team’s headquarters in Ashburn and insisted he was capable of continuing in both roles. Four days after the team’s final indignity under first-year Coach Jay Gruden, a 44-17 loss Dec. 28 to the Dallas Cowboys that dropped its record to 4-12, the Redskins fired longtime defensive coordinator Jim Haslett. That afternoon, Redskins President and general manager Bruce Allen stood at a podium at the team’s headquarters in Ashburn and insisted he was capable of continuing in both roles.
The hiring of McCloughanrelieves Allen of his title as general manager and all responsibility for acquiring players. The hiring of McCloughan relieves Allen of his title as general manager and all responsibility for acquiring players.
In McCloughan, Washington gets a former NFL scout, as well as the son of a veteran NFL scout, with a keen appreciation of football’s nuances in his blood. He’s a former general manager of the 49ers and former senior personnel executive for the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks.In McCloughan, Washington gets a former NFL scout, as well as the son of a veteran NFL scout, with a keen appreciation of football’s nuances in his blood. He’s a former general manager of the 49ers and former senior personnel executive for the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks.
“He has a good eye for talent,” said former San Francisco coach Mike Nolan, who hired McCloughan as the 49ers’ personnel director for both the college and pro ranks. “That’s critical. The most important job of a general manager is to be able to choose players.”“He has a good eye for talent,” said former San Francisco coach Mike Nolan, who hired McCloughan as the 49ers’ personnel director for both the college and pro ranks. “That’s critical. The most important job of a general manager is to be able to choose players.”
Among the standouts McCloughan is credited with signing are San Francisco running back Frank Gore, tight end Vernon Davis and linebacker Patrick Willis — all recipients of Pro Bowl honors during NFL careers that have spanned 10, nine and eight years, respectively.Among the standouts McCloughan is credited with signing are San Francisco running back Frank Gore, tight end Vernon Davis and linebacker Patrick Willis — all recipients of Pro Bowl honors during NFL careers that have spanned 10, nine and eight years, respectively.
At Seattle, McCloughan was the driving force behind drafting Russell Wilson, convinced the undersize quarterback had big-game potential few others saw. Wilson went on to lead Seattle to last season’s Super Bowl championship.At Seattle, McCloughan was the driving force behind drafting Russell Wilson, convinced the undersize quarterback had big-game potential few others saw. Wilson went on to lead Seattle to last season’s Super Bowl championship.
Former Seahawks fullback Michael Robinson, now an analyst with the NFL Network, told his hometown radio station, Richmond’s Fox Sports 910, that McCloughan also has a knack for assembling locker rooms of quality, committed players.Former Seahawks fullback Michael Robinson, now an analyst with the NFL Network, told his hometown radio station, Richmond’s Fox Sports 910, that McCloughan also has a knack for assembling locker rooms of quality, committed players.
“He’s not just looking for your attributes on the field,” Robinson said Wednesday. “He’s looking for how can I infuse you into this locker room to make this . . . a place where it’s conducive to winning.”“He’s not just looking for your attributes on the field,” Robinson said Wednesday. “He’s looking for how can I infuse you into this locker room to make this . . . a place where it’s conducive to winning.”
McCloughan joins the Redskins’ front office after spending the past nine months running a scouting service based in his remote Washington state home. The Redskins were among the NFL teams that paid him a reported $75,000 to evaluate players they were considering signing.McCloughan joins the Redskins’ front office after spending the past nine months running a scouting service based in his remote Washington state home. The Redskins were among the NFL teams that paid him a reported $75,000 to evaluate players they were considering signing.
Running his own scouting service had been an idea he’d toyed with in the past. Running his own scouting service had been an idea he had toyed with in the past.
McCloughan had learned football talent evaluation, more art than science, from his father, Kent, who spent more than 30 years as a scout with the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders. Baseball was the son’s forte as an athlete, and Scot McCloughan spent three seasons in the minor leagues’ Class A after being drafted by Toronto in the 10th round of the 1992 major league draft. He went to work as an NFL scout in Green Bay in 1995. McCloughan had learned football talent evaluation, more art than science, from his father, Kent, who spent more than 30 years as a scout with the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders. Baseball was the son’s forte as an athlete, and Scot McCloughan spent three seasons in the minor leagues’ Class A after being picked by Toronto in the 10th round of the 1992 major league draft. He went to work as an NFL scout in Green Bay in 1995.
But after resigning from his second stint with the Seahawks two weeks before the 2014 NFL draft, McCloughan realized that the scouting service was also his best career option. But after resigning from his second stint with the Seahawks two weeks before the 2014 NFL draft, McCloughan realized the scouting service also was his best career option.
Affable and admired in NFL circles, McCloughan spoke frankly about his periodic bouts of alcohol abuse in interviews last fall with Seth Wickersham, a writer with ESPN The Magazine. Wickersham’s profile, published last month, portrays a man who had managed to keep his longtime love of beer, shared by many scouts and coaches in the league, from interfering with his work until his marriage faltered.Affable and admired in NFL circles, McCloughan spoke frankly about his periodic bouts of alcohol abuse in interviews last fall with Seth Wickersham, a writer with ESPN The Magazine. Wickersham’s profile, published last month, portrays a man who had managed to keep his longtime love of beer, shared by many scouts and coaches in the league, from interfering with his work until his marriage faltered.
McCloughan revealed in the article that he got treatment at the Betty Ford Center, which helped for a time. But after divorce proceedings were initiated, he substituted vodka for beer and ended up resigning as San Francisco’s general manager in 2010 to address what was identified as a private matter.McCloughan revealed in the article that he got treatment at the Betty Ford Center, which helped for a time. But after divorce proceedings were initiated, he substituted vodka for beer and ended up resigning as San Francisco’s general manager in 2010 to address what was identified as a private matter.
He was not out of work long — a tribute, friends and associates say, to the loyalty he engenders among co-workers and employers and his sought-after expertise in identifying talent.He was not out of work long — a tribute, friends and associates say, to the loyalty he engenders among co-workers and employers and his sought-after expertise in identifying talent.
Nolan, the former San Francisco coach who’d hired him as vice president of football operations in 2005, is a case in point. After three seasons, the team’s owner stripped Nolan of his additional duties as general manager and assigned them to McCloughan. Roughly six months later, Nolan was fired, while McCloughan was retained. Nolan, the former San Francisco coach who had hired him as vice president of football operations in 2005, is a case in point. After three seasons, the team’s owner stripped Nolan of his additional duties as general manager and assigned them to McCloughan. Roughly six months later, Nolan was fired, while McCloughan was retained.
Currently defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons, Nolan doesn’t hesitate to enumerate McCloughan’s strengths, calling him “a good fit” for the Redskins.Currently defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons, Nolan doesn’t hesitate to enumerate McCloughan’s strengths, calling him “a good fit” for the Redskins.
“The number one thing someone needs to do is have the ability to pick players. Some [NFL team] buildings don’t have anyone who can do that, and Scot’s ability sets him above all the others,” said Nolan, who served as Washington’s defensive coordinator from 1997 to 1999. “Scot is a good person. He’s not an undermining kind of guy. He’s a good person, and I’m pulling for him.”“The number one thing someone needs to do is have the ability to pick players. Some [NFL team] buildings don’t have anyone who can do that, and Scot’s ability sets him above all the others,” said Nolan, who served as Washington’s defensive coordinator from 1997 to 1999. “Scot is a good person. He’s not an undermining kind of guy. He’s a good person, and I’m pulling for him.”
During the interview process with Washington, the Redskins had a chance to ask McCloughan about his personal demons, according to someone familiar with the process. McCloughan, in turn, had a chance to ask the Redskins about their history of front-office turnover. Washington got its man, and McCloughan came away with a four-year contract.During the interview process with Washington, the Redskins had a chance to ask McCloughan about his personal demons, according to someone familiar with the process. McCloughan, in turn, had a chance to ask the Redskins about their history of front-office turnover. Washington got its man, and McCloughan came away with a four-year contract.
More coverage:More coverage:
Redskins complete deal to hire Scot McCloughanRedskins complete deal to hire Scot McCloughan
Thoughts and questions on the GM hiringThoughts and questions on the GM hiring
McCloughan likes building teams through the draftMcCloughan likes building teams through the draft
Video: How the new GM could help the RedskinsVideo: How the new GM could help the Redskins
NFL finds no diversity violation in Redskins GM searchNFL finds no diversity violation in Redskins GM search
McCloughan is the latest name in the franchise’s cycle of hopeMcCloughan is the latest name in the franchise’s cycle of hope