Redskins general manager Bruce Allen told the team's alumni they would be a welcome presence and a resource in the future as they gathered in a tent for lunch after the team's final mini-camp practice on Thursday.

Then he guaranteed that many will be back for another special occasion.

He announced that the Oct. 17 game at FedExField against the Indianapolis Colts would be Homecoming Day for the Redskins and invited all the alumni to attend.

"High schools have them, colleges have them, why not us?" Allen said.

No specifics were immediately available but the Homecoming concept fit neatly in with what Allen talked about with the former players.

The team wants to establish a network of relationships that will enable the current players to draw upon the experience of retirees and for retirees to establish business contacts through and with the Redskins.

"Having you around is going to help our team," said Allen, who grew up around many of these former standouts when his father George coached the Redskins from 1971-77.

Allen has made numerous appearances at alumni functions, trying to rebuild the bridges to the past and connect the generations.