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The ax finally fell on the top of the coaching tree, as Jay Gruden was summarily dismissed as head coach of the Washington Redskins. Gruden's time with the Redskins came to an end following the teams Week 5 defeat at the hands of Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. At 0-5, swimming upstream, Daniel Snyder and Bruce Allen have let go of Gruden, but that doesn't mean they're ready to let go of anyone else, namely Trent Williams. Allen made it clear on Monday that Williams trade discussions are not on-going and reports have it that they won't even talk about trading him until after the season.

While the big news of the day came at the expense of former head coach Gruden, and still-relegated tackle Williams, the active players on the team chimed in with their thoughts. There were also a few moments from Sunday's game to relish, as the 'Skins stuck with the Pats' throughout the first half, actually holding the first lead on the Patriots of any team this year on Steven Sims' end around TD at the 9:26 mark in the first quarter. The 65 yard scamper was the undrafted rookie free agent's first career touchdown.  

Bruce Allen somehow tries to defend Redskins culture as 'damn good' :: Redskins Maven

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Several key quotes from Allen's Monday presser give insight into the Redskins cloaked front offices. Chief among the snippets is Trent Williams trade status, Dwayne Haskins playing status, and the Washington Redskins' culture status; spoiler alert, the guy in charge of the team refused to talk it down. 

"The culture is actually damn good. These people care. We have a good young core of players who are accustomed to winning. In FA we brought in Landon Collins... the effort of the players and the rest of this organization is fantastic. Doug Williams? You want to check his time card? He's working all the time."

SOURCE: Redskins won't explore trading Trent Williams until January :: 106.7 The Fan

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Trading Williams has been a feeder for sports-talk stations like The Fan, and it would appear the gift just keeps giving. When asked Monday if the Redskins would consider trading Williams, Bruce Allen said directly "No, not at this time." 

Even further, according to The Fan reporter Craig Hoffman, the team has informed Williams they won't even explore trading him until after the season, in January.  

Redskins players react to Gruden firing, Bruce Allen sets press conference :: Redskins Maven

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Redskins Maven head honcho K.D. Drummond breaks down the player perspective on the firing of Jay Gruden as head coach. It doesn't appear to have come as a surprise to anyone, and one player quoted said "It was time." The writing has been on the wall for a while, and that made it all the harder for Gruden to keep control of a checked out locker room. 

Breaking: Redskins fire Jay Gruden after 0-5 start :: Redskins Maven

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The news came early Monday morning that Gruden was out, so early that it would clearly imply that Gruden was relieved of his duties on Sunday night, following the team's fifth straight loss to open the season. Under Dan Snyder's 20 year tenure as owner, he has never had a coach leave with a winning record. Add one more notch on the belt. 

Redskins fire Coach Jay Gruden, who says he isn’t bitter: ‘I didn’t get it done’ :: Washington Post

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Gruden got the boot after posting a sub-.500 winning record in his six years at the helm. Despite being unceremoniously relieved of his duties following the Redskins Week 5 loss to the Patriots, Gruden isn't bitter, he just wishes he'd done better. It commendable, but doesn't change the outcome. 

NFL Week 5 PFF ReFocused: New England Patriots 33, Washington Redskins 7 :: Pro Football Focus

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The Redskins had a few positive takeaway's from Sunday's defeat, including sticking with the World Champs in the first half. Colt McCoy looked serviceable, and UDFA Steven Sims took an end-around up the sideline for an electric early touchdown. Unfortunately for the home team, they couldn't stop New England's running backs in the second half.

Wide receiver Steven Sims took an end-around for a 65-yard touchdown, leaving would-be tacklers in his wake. However, that one big play represented almost all of the Redskins’ first-half production and the side’s only points for the game.

Redskins make roster moves :: John Keim

The Redskins continue to shuffle the deck at tight end, releasing LB Cassanova McKinzy, a name only Chris Berman could love, and adding TE Hale Hentegs. It is yet to be known when and if Vernon Davis and Jordan Reed will make their respective returns from concussion.