Lost in all the talk of the Redskins coaching search is this little tidbit: Vinny Cerrato has been promoted from team owner Dan Snyder's glorified squash partner to Executive Vice President of Football Operations. Unsurprisingly, it's a newly created title (something the front office is very good at), and his duties now include: personnel, team roster, scouting and salary cap management. Anybody with even a passing interest in Redskins football knows this is kinda curious. The Washington Times' Ryan O'Halloran adds some context to all of this:
The people I contacted around the league were not astounded but still amused by Vinny Cerrato's promotion... Cerrato had been in the background the last four years because Joe Gibbs handled the roster with beaucoup input from Gregg Williams and the other assistants. Now it's Cerrato's turn (again) to shape the roster exactly how he and Dan Snyder like it.Cerrato made some mealy-mouthed comment about his job being to construct the team the owner wants. As Hogs Haven puts it, "That's all well and good, but what happens if the former goal -- following the boss -- is mutually exclusive with the latter goal of success?"
It's also a clear sign that The Danny is itching to re-enter the NFL fray after also playing a supporting role to Gibbs since 2004. As one reporter friend said last night, "If I'm a Redskins fan, I'm not sleeping well."
Great question. And one I'm sure Cerrato's not too concerned with. Look, I understand everybody wants to be Bobby Beathard, and stock a Super Bowl roster. But you know what? Not everybody is qualified for such a job. Like Snyder and Cerrato, for example. I mean, Jeff George, Bruce Smith and Deion Sanders were all great acquisitions, and I'm shocked Steve Spurrier didn't win a Super Bowl. Jeebus.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-24-2008 @ 5:36AM
Michael from san diego said...
WOW, maybe there is more to Gibbs leaving then what was announced. I wish owners could take a long look at Dallas and see what Jerry Jones has turned the cowboys into, will Dan Snyder follow in his footsteps. Cerrato "WHO" oh you mean that guy that walks around the office with the same folder in his hand all day, at during which time, the workers being Joe Gibbs does all the real planning and preparation. I always say use examples and let history teach you the proper path, well then snyder you need to sit down, and let a proper management team and couches win for you, the more you meddle and get involved the worse you are going to be, Look at jerry Jones, what has he won since letting Jimmy Johnson go..............0 Goose egg. Now look at what Robert Craft in New england and say to yourself who has more superbowls in the last 12 years. Miami is heading in that Direction slowly but surely, but sad to say as a redskin fan I dont look forward to the future under Dan Snyders general managing. Cerrato is clearly a yes man for Snyder and I really think Hiring a yes man couch like Jim Fassel will complete the take over. I guess sitting on the sidelines watching gibbs run things was more then Snyder could bear, and now that gibbs is gone I am afraid that Danny boy is going back to his old ways. Goodluck Redskins
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1-24-2008 @ 4:36PM
jmkirk said...
is it me or does spooky ceratto look just a stickle insane this dude is the only living being ive ever seen outsisde of old charles manson that u can see the whites of them eyes all the way around would you want this guy in charge of any dam thing
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1-27-2008 @ 5:21PM
grummy said...
I think it is funny that we all get so worked up over Snyder's moves, myself included. It is like getting angry at Angelos for the Orioles... He hired a baseball guy this time and hopefully he will let him do his job, but Snyder has his manlove Cerrato there to take the heat for Danny's fantasy football moves. He has kids you know... they have to be embarrassed because while it is probably cool to have a billionaire dad, it has to be equally bad to know so many people (including many of their friends parents) hate their father for what he has done to the Skins. Ahhhh, as the world of Snyder and Cerrato turns... The Redskins are what they are... all I can do is hope that the moves pay off in the end. I just have to think that they will write off one more year as a "transitional" year and we will be sitting in neutral as always, back against the salary cap wall and all of our horses past their primes and the new coach will get fired for underproducing with Lord Helmet and Mr Roboto Cerrato's fantasy team and we will start over once again... and once again, be the laughing stock of the NFL. But what can you do... not really much other than whine in blogs or not watch football which for me is not an option... so I am stuck whining.
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