Skins' assistant defends Snyder

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Man convicted of shooting Collier

A jury convicted an ex-con Thursday of attempted first-degree murder in the shooting of former Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman Richard Collier in 2008.

The six-person jury deliberated two hours and 45 minutes before returning its verdict against Tyrone Hartsfield, 33, at the end of a nine-day trial.

Hartsfield faces up to life in prison when he is sentenced in December. He still faces a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, but it's not clear if prosecutors will pursue it.

Skins hire Allen as new GM

The Washington Redskins brought back a familiar name and dusted off a long-unused title Thursday in a major front office shake-up, the first of many anticipated changes resulting from a losing season.

Bruce Allen, son of late Redskins Hall of Fame coach George Allen, is the team's new general manager. He becomes the first person hired by owner Dan Snyder to hold the GM title, a notable milestone after a decade of various front office arrangements that usually centered around Snyder and good friend Vinny Cerrato.

"It's exciting because of the history, the tradition, the comfort about coming home," said Allen, whose father coached the Redskins from 1971-77.

Skins tap Haslett for defense

The Washington Redskins say they have hired Jim Haslett as defensive coordinator, replacing the retired Greg Blache.

Haslett is a former NFL head coach who most recently coached in the United Football League. The Redskins announced his hiring Friday.

Blache was an NFL assistant for 22 seasons, the last six with the Redskins.

Chess teacher, abuser faces life in prison

A convicted sex offender has pleaded guilty to violating his probation after fleeing the country when he was supposed to be in Colorado.

Robert Snyder, a 55-year-old who authored the "Chess for Juniors" book series, entered the plea Friday. He faces the possibility of life in prison.

Snyder was supposed to be under intensive supervision after being released in 2008 on a child molestation conviction.

Shanahan pegged to revive Skins

At the podium stood Mike Shanahan, who has a $35 million, five-year contract that gives him final authority over football decisions as head coach and executive vice president of the Washington Redskins.

Seated at a nearby table was Bruce Allen, the first general manager Dan Snyder has hired in 11 years of owning the team.

And nowhere on the stage was Snyder, who sat next to wife Tanya as a member of the audience in the Redskins Park auditorium. It was the first time he hasn't introduced a new coach, a powerful symbol of how the balance of power has shifted within a proud franchise on Wednesday.