Vinny Cerrato Resigns, Redskins’ Biggest Problem Grows Stronger
If there are any Redskins fans that genuinely believe that Vinny Cerrato was a problem, if they think that he was more than a figurehead to deflect attention from Daniel Snyder’s manipulative and erratic ownership, there’s a much bigger problem than this team trying to make the playoffs.
Obviously, the primary culprit robbing Washington of its professional football pride is Daniel Snyder. You know this, I know this. He knows this. But in true Snyder fashion, there is always an affordable alternative to taking responsibility, and the man who has been front and center for every disparaging sign, interview inquiry and failed hire has now been unceremoniously axed.
Vinny Cerrato is out of Washington.
When interviews were being done for the new head coach, at whose palatial palace were they being conducted? When Jimmy Clausen was being scouted, on whose private jet do you think they flew?
And when pitches are made for a new football guru in the mold of Bill Parcells, whom will be standing front and center with an open checkbook and a wide grin?
Exactly. The same person that’s always been geeked to take credit for new vision and change with the organization. At least, before it all falls down.
The logic is that Snyder will make a pitch for Mike Holmgren to take an inch of reigns that Snyder will painfully acquiesce. And that may mean that Jim Zorn is retained as the head coach along with Sherm Lewis, both of whom have worked closely with Holmgren in his years as a head coach. If that’s true and does happen, you can at least credit Snyder for maintaining some continuity for a change.
But if it’s Bill Cowher, Mike Shanahan, Jon Gruden or any other shocking name, it will be the same crap all over Washington, all over again. People will rejoice at a departed Vinny Cerrato, hope for a reformed Dan Snyder, and crown a Redskins team that will likely have a rookie quarterback and retooled offensive line paper champions yet again.
Vinny Cerrato was an easy mark for fan angst. He often looked at reporters as if he could save them a bunch of money on their car insurance. He was aloof in interviews. He was in Kindergarten Ninja.
But the root of the Redskins problems he most certainly wasn’t. We saw that when Marty Schottenheimer was in town, and we’ll see it again. And that may just be the biggest problem the Redskins will ever have.
The certainty that past mistakes are but future paths to new failure.
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