Vinny Cerrato PROMOTED?!?!

[CanesSkins26]

Posted at 2:29 PM ET, 01/22/2008
Vinny Is The Man

What can I say. Dude got promoted again. Hot off the presses.

VINNY CERRATO NAMED EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

ASHBURN, VA - The Washington Redskins today named Vinny Cerrato to the new position of Executive Vice President/Football Operations. He will assume responsibility for all aspects of the team's football organization - including personnel, the team roster, scouting and salary cap management.


"The appointment formalizes the structure the team has operated under in recent years, and is recognition of the valuable role Vinny has played this season, especially during a time of terrible tragedy," said team Owner Daniel M. Snyder. "During the past season we were hit with an unprecedented number of injuries, and Vinny consistently identified players who stepped in and stepped up to help take us to the playoffs."

Joe Gibbs, who recently retired after four years as Head Coach and Team President added, "Vinny worked closely with me on all personnel matters. This is a well-deserved acknowledgement of that."


"Today's Washington Redskins roster is a testament to Vinny and the personnel department being an integral part of our team structure in identifying players, whether acquired in free agency, the draft or on sometimes very short notice as we made our way through the season," Gibbs said.


Cerrato currently is playing a central role in the search for Gibbs' replacement, as he did four years ago when the Head Coach position last was open.


"The team's executive ranks are solid with Vinny at the head of the football operation and Chief Operating Officer Mitch Gershman leading the Redskins' other important business," Snyder said. "Their close working relationship ensures strong leadership."


Cerrato is entering his 18 th season in the NFL and 9 th season with the Redskins. Before coming to Washington, he spent nine seasons, and earned his first Super Bowl ring, with the San Francisco 49ers, where he served as Director of College Scouting and Director of Player Personnel.


Before joining the NFL, he worked with Lou Holtz at Notre Dame as football recruiting coordinator, winning a national championship ring. He began his career as a graduate assistant for the Minnesota Golden Gophers before being promoted to recruiting coordinator.


Cerrato is a 1982 graduate of Iowa State, where he lettered at quarterback and wide receiver all four years. He was born in Flushing, NY, and grew up in Albert Lea, MN, where he played football, hockey and ran track. Cerrato and his wife Rebecca have two sons, Vincent John and Charles.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/

[Irn-Bru]

Ugh. . .

[SkinsJock]

There are 2 things that I took from this:
Gibbs and Snyder both making a point that this is just formal recognition for what Cerrato has been doing - in essence a promotion but nothing changes - we have not improved our situation OR we have not made a change that hurts what we have been doing
I also would point out for those that are into what someone has achieved in the past being an important factor in what he might do in the future - Cerrato has been involved with Notre Dame and San Francisco previously - at both places winning a college championship and a Super Bowl ring respectively - yet that history has not been all that evident here
Please do not tell me about history being a factor - this guy is a loser

[UK Skins Fan]

Richly deserved. He's one of the top five football brains in the galaxy.

Note: the above comment may not have been strictly 100% sincere.

[Chris Luva Luva]

[SkinsFreak]

There are 2 things that I took from this:
Gibbs and Snyder both making a point that this is just formal recognition for what Cerrato has been doing - in essence a promotion but nothing changes - we have not improved our situation OR we have not made a change that hurts what we have been doing

Dude, the title of the thread says "PROMOTED'. You have an extremely valid point, too bad some here will fail to recognize that.

This is not a promotion, it's merely a change in job title. But I know some will still be displeased, as many want him to go. Yeah, he previously missed on a few players, ALL franchises do, but I still think he's done pretty well over the past few years. He's brought in some talented players in which I will give him credit for.

[SkinsJock]

There are 2 things that I took from this:
Gibbs and Snyder both making a point that this is just formal recognition for what Cerrato has been doing - in essence a promotion but nothing changes - we have not improved our situation OR we have not made a change that hurts what we have been doing

Dude, the title of the thread says "PROMOTED'. You have an extremely valid point, too bad some here will fail to recognize that.

This is not a promotion, it's merely a change in job title. But I know some will still be displeased, as many want him to go. Yeah, he previously missed on a few players, ALL franchises do, but I still think he's done pretty well over the past few years. He's brought in some talented players in which I will give him credit for.

Roger that SkinsFreak, actually the titled "screamed" promotion which it is not - I'm not as against Cerrato as I am a supporter of having a GM - I could not care less what they call him, what his title is or what he does - the biggest problem here remains the same - Snyder and Cerrato are like an alcoholic that refuses to believe he has a drinking problem - the team needs a GM that makes the real decisions.

[UK Skins Fan]

There are 2 things that I took from this:
Gibbs and Snyder both making a point that this is just formal recognition for what Cerrato has been doing - in essence a promotion but nothing changes - we have not improved our situation OR we have not made a change that hurts what we have been doing

Dude, the title of the thread says "PROMOTED'. You have an extremely valid point, too bad some here will fail to recognize that.

This is not a promotion, it's merely a change in job title. But I know some will still be displeased, as many want him to go. Yeah, he previously missed on a few players, ALL franchises do, but I still think he's done pretty well over the past few years. He's brought in some talented players in which I will give him credit for.

It may not be a promotion in real terms, but I'll bet it comes with a payrise. And I don't see where that would reflect his performance over the last 8 years?

[riggofan]

At least he's got a formal position now from which he can be fired.

[cleg]

I am growing more concerned by the hour with the direction of this football team. I guess The Danny did not learn a damn thing from Coach Gibbs.

[spudstr04]

Redskins promoted Vinny Cerrato to Executive Vice President/Football Operations.

This guy just doesn't die. Redskins fans should be concerned that Cerrato, who has made a lot of questionable decisions over the years and doesn't have a reputation as a "football guy," is gaining power with Joe Gibbs out of town. Hiring Jim Fassell might send Redskins Nation off the deep end.

http://www.rotoworld.com


= enough said

[Deadskins]

If Vinny's EVP, then who now holds Joe's title of president of football operations?

[CanesSkins26]

There are 2 things that I took from this:
Gibbs and Snyder both making a point that this is just formal recognition for what Cerrato has been doing - in essence a promotion but nothing changes - we have not improved our situation OR we have not made a change that hurts what we have been doing

Dude, the title of the thread says "PROMOTED'. You have an extremely valid point, too bad some here will fail to recognize that.

This is not a promotion, it's merely a change in job title. But I know some will still be displeased, as many want him to go. Yeah, he previously missed on a few players, ALL franchises do, but I still think he's done pretty well over the past few years. He's brought in some talented players in which I will give him credit for.

Well actually it is a promotion. Executive Vice President of Football Operations is another title for GM. So Vinny Cerrato is basically the GM of the Washington Redskins. John Riggins just had Ernie Accorsie (for GM of the Giants) on his radio show and Accorsie said that it's all a matter of semantics and that some owners simply prefer using Excective VP of Football Oparations instead of General Manager. But it is the same position and covers the same duties and responsibilities.

[HEROHAMO]

(singing) Here I go again on my own, like a twister I was born to be alone! DAH! DAH!

This is what happens when insanity takes over my brain!

[Skinsfan55]

As a fan who has been screaming for a general manager I feel kind of like a joke has been played on us.

What has Vinny ever done to deserve this? Is he a salary cap guru? Has he ever, ever found a late round gem? Made a smart trade?

We all have a lot of negative things to say about Vinny, but the FO structure has been so convoluted that it's tough to really say who's at fault for anything. Maybe Vinny will work out in the GM role, but it seems like a longshot since he's never distinguished himself as a personnel man.

[Deadskins]

Maybe Vinny will work out in the GM role, but it seems like a longshot since he's never distinguished himself as a personnel man.

Actually he has; He won a national title when he was head of recruiting at Notre Dame, and a SB when he held the same title for the 49ers. He's basically been the de facto GM since he got here. This title just makes it official.

[REDEEMEDSKIN]

At least he's got a formal position now from which he can be fired.

I was thinking the exact same thing. I mean, it sounds more professional to FIRE your "Executive VP" than your "Racketball Buddy". Am I right?

[SkinsFreak]

There are 2 things that I took from this:
Gibbs and Snyder both making a point that this is just formal recognition for what Cerrato has been doing - in essence a promotion but nothing changes - we have not improved our situation OR we have not made a change that hurts what we have been doing

Dude, the title of the thread says "PROMOTED'. You have an extremely valid point, too bad some here will fail to recognize that.

This is not a promotion, it's merely a change in job title. But I know some will still be displeased, as many want him to go. Yeah, he previously missed on a few players, ALL franchises do, but I still think he's done pretty well over the past few years. He's brought in some talented players in which I will give him credit for.

Well actually it is a promotion. Executive Vice President of Football Operations is another title for GM. So Vinny Cerrato is basically the GM of the Washington Redskins. John Riggins just had Ernie Accorsie (for GM of the Giants) on his radio show and Accorsie said that it's all a matter of semantics and that some owners simply prefer using Excective VP of Football Oparations instead of General Manager. But it is the same position and covers the same duties and responsibilities.

Thanks for clearing that up.

You said it yourself... "semantics". He'll be doing the exact same thing he's been doing since he's been here. So no, this is not a promotion. Call it what you want, his job description remains the same.

[SkinsJock]

OR Riggins could have called Gibbs and spoken to someone who is a lot closer to the situation and knows first hand what Cerrato does. This is just Snyder rewarding Cerrato but it is not changing anything - that was the point!

I repeat - I dont care if you call Snyder King and Cerrato Prince - the team needs someone that does the job of a GM and is not presently here - Cerrato is a tool - he can finangle the money/contracts, whatever - we need a "real" GM, we do not need Cerrato.

[RedskinsFreak]

Another sign of the cluelessness that drowns this team from the top.

Looks like "Mr. Hyde" is back in control after four years of playing the "Dr. Jekyll" nice-guy while JJG was on the scene.

[LetsRollBurgundyNGold]

It's funny and I can't believe I'm saying this, but: Thank You Dan Snyder. LOL

We've been asking for a General Manager, and now, we have one. Don't get me wrong, I've hated Vinny's guts as much as the next guy, and as I reflect on the "Why" of that, it's because of the perception that Vinny was the ultimate yes man, cowering under Dan's jacket, selecting players fantasy style while knowing there would be no accountability if he screwed up. Conversely, that actually worked against him, as he got all of the blame anyway and none of the credit (I sure didn't give him any.) I thought it was telling that when he got canned by Marty that year, the best job he could find was answering emails for ESPN on draft day.

But time has passed, Vinny has come back, and Coach Joe has called him an integral component of the player personnel process. Now, Dan makes it official with the title and in effect, puts the bullseye on Vinny's back. I've noticed some of the posts have depicted him as "still a tool", and I think that's accurate. All GM's in essence are a tool of the owner's will, whose function it is to assemble a winning football team.

In closing, big ups to Vinny Cerrato for finally having the stones to man up and take the GM-EVP/FO, whatever title, and saying, "Yeah I'm that guy making the calls." For victory, you will get the credit and for defeat, you know good and well what's heading your way. But instead of us now saying, "We need a GM." we can all say, "We need a NEW GM."

Good luck, Bug Eyed Vinny, may your eyes not pop out of their sockets.

[jazzskins]

This should mean that they are getting ready to make a hire. They are setting the front office structure according to who they plan to hire. Who ever the new person is they must not intend to give that person the same control over football operations and personnel that they gave to Gibbs. I'm not a big fan of Vinny's track record here with us, but we are getting what we asked for; a GM. They football operations are now Vinny's to handle. Does this mean that Snyder is taking a step back?

Sounds to me that they have made a hiring decision and now Snyder is handling football ops to Cerratto. Perhaps he did learn something from Gibb's tenure.

Chad

[jazzskins]

In closing, big ups to Vinny Cerrato for finally having the stones to man up and take the GM-EVP/FO, whatever title, and saying, "Yeah I'm that guy making the calls." For victory, you will get the credit and for defeat, you know good and well what's heading your way. But instead of us now saying, "We need a GM." we can all say, "We need a NEW GM."

Great point. I was thinking that as well, but you said it better that I could have.

[SkinsFreak]

I have to admit I'm pretty concerned now. I've read that Williams and Vinny don't get along that well. This can't be good for those of us pulling for Williams. The longer this goes... ... ... I don't know. I think they are stringing Williams along and he may start to feel slighted. If in fact someone other than Williams is hired as head coach, would Williams walk... would the players revolt?

After all the talk about continuity by Dan, the coaches, Gibbs and the players, and all the campaigning done by the organization and players for Williams, it seems, to me anyway, that not appointing GW head coach could be disastrous, in so many ways.

[SkinsJock]

I have to admit I'm pretty concerned now. I've read that Williams and Vinny don't get along that well. This can't be good for those of us pulling for Williams. The longer this goes... ... ... I don't know. I think they are stringing Williams along and he may start to feel slighted. If in fact someone other than Williams is hired as head coach, would Williams walk... would the players revolt?

After all the talk about continuity by Dan, the coaches, Gibbs and the players, and all the campaigning done by the organization and players for Williams, it seems, to me anyway, that not appointing GW head coach could be disastrous, in so many ways.

Me too I was thinking that the process was laid out here - Williams takes over, we adjust the staff, maybe even promote Blache and then ....

Now, we have the uncertainty and the "maybe Snyder hasn't changed" syndrome - I was ready for some adjustment but this could be quite the shift.

I guess one good thing out of all this is that if it doesn't work then Cerrato will be gone! If he is given this team, as it appears, and we are not seeing the progress continue from Gibbs tenure, there is no excuse for this guy

I hope this does not draw out for too much longer - we need closure here