Cerrato Interview

CanesSkins26 · Post by **CanesSkins26** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 12:37 pm

Cerrato was on the Mike Wise show the other day. The interview can be found here, it's a must listen:

http://washington.cbslocal.com/2011/03/08/former-redskins-gm-vinny-cerrato-joins-mike-wise-in-studio/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Among the highlights...he blames the media for the hiring of Al Saunders.

CanesSkins26 · Post by **CanesSkins26** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 12:44 pm

For those that can't listen, here are some highlights courtesy of Dan Steinberg...

Vinny Cerrato spent like 17 million hours on the Mike Wise Show Tuesday afternoon, which probably means I'll come out with 14 million blog posts about it. Listen to it here. Here's blog number one, in which Cerrato explained what ruined Jim Zorn's hot start with the Redskins. It was Zorn's ego, turns out.

"Lookit, when we started out, we're 6-2 and the guy's doing a good job," Cerrato said. "But then I think ego got into play and then he stopped listening to coaches, became a celebrity. I mean, that's when Rush Limbaugh's on the sideline, he had all these people on the sideline. Give me a break. Just worry about Clinton Portis, Chris Samuels. Worry about the next team. To me, that's what happened. We're 6-2, we're on a run, and all you people in the newspaper were saying Dan finally got it right, hired a great coach, blah blah blah, and then see how fast you guys turned?"

Of course, it turns out that there were at least two things that led to Zorn's downfall. Here's another.
"It's like talking to the media, you tried to tell Jim Zorn, Jim, that's part of your job," Cerrato said. "When you talk to the media, you can't tell them everything. You know, he wanted to tell them everything. I think Jim's downfall was when he went on and started ripping the players, Chris Samuels, and saying it on air. You lose the team. They say bye bye."

At which point Wise asked about hiring Sherm Lewis as an offensive consultant, and embarrassing Zorn in front of his team and the world

"Not at all; it was about improving the football team. The offense was terrible," Cerrato said. "What we wanted to do was bring him help, because on the offensive staff there was nobody that had called plays. I mean, that was part of Jim's problem was the offensive staff that he hired, there wasn't the experience. There had been nobody on the staff that could call a play. I mean, you couldn't promote anybody, because there was nobody on the staff that could do it. And we had just seen Sherm in Detroit, and Sherm actually did a nice job, he came in and he worked, he would do whatever Jim told him to do. The coaches appreciated what Sherm did."

So I guess hiring a bad staff was another thing that did in Zorn.

It began with a caller who wanted to respond to Cerrato's contention that he would not draft Cam Newton.
Mike Wise: John, you there?

Vinny Cerrato: John? C'mon.

Caller: How you doing? Yeah, I just wanted really quickly to say that the first thing I've taken so far is that I would recommend to anybody you draft Cam Newton.

Wise: Yes, yes, Vinny said that.

Cerrato: You would draft him or would not?

Wise: No, Vinny said that he would not draft Cam Newton, go ahead.

Caller: Yeah, I would draft him because Vinny said he wouldn't. Number 2, is it amazes me how smug Vinny can be sitting there knowing that he ruined a franchise that's been storied for 12 to 15 years, and that he has every excuse in the book for why he failed other than the fact that he either made the wrong decision or was a yes man for a guy that is just completely incompetent.

Wise: He's blaming you for destroying a franchise. Vinny, your response?

Cerrato: Well, I would tend to disagree with John. I mean, he's got his opinion, so move on. Thanks for the opinion, John. Don't agree with it, but thanks.

I especially enjoyed this dialog between Cerrato and Mike Wise Show producer Chris Johnson, about whether or not the second Joe Gibbs Era was a success, especially considering the backsliding between years two and three.

Cerrato: Let me just say this, I'll make one statement: If Joe would have continued to call the plays after the second year, we'd have went to the playoffs again

CJ: Why did he stop? Why did he turn it over to Al Saunders?

Cerrato: The media.
CJ: The media????

Cerrato: Yes, you guys were killing him, you kept saying....

CJ: He's JOE GIBBS!!!!!! He's a HALL OF FAMER!!!!!!

Cerrato: Stop, stop a minute. Remember we had struggled against Philly, we had struggled against Tampa, and you guys, the media, were saying Joe you're over the hill, you can't call plays any more. We won the playoff game with Sean returning the fumbles for touchdowns and LaVar intercepting the ball or recovering the fumble, and Joe read all the media stuff, felt like if he brings in a guy....And I think you know what, I think if Joe would have continued to do what he was doing we would have went back to the playoffs again. Joe Gibbs, what he did for the organization, was he brought back confidence, faith, belief by the fans....And I think we were making progress, and I'm telling you, if Joe would not have left we'd have gone back to the playoffs in Zorn's first year, we would have went back again.

And suddenly, it's clear that the Redskins actually had the talent for four playoff berths in five years, instead of the two they managed. Later, Wise asked Cerrato how he reacts when people say he helped destroy their favorite franchise.

"I wouldn't say it's destroyed," Cerrato said. "One huge mistake. Jim Zorn was a huge mistake."

At which point Wise said you can't put everything on Zorn, and that Cerrato was in charge for two years, and then asked if he really blames his demise on Zorn.

"I don't blame it on Jim Zorn, I blame it on that we hired the wrong football coach," Cerrato said. "You know, if we would have got the right head coach? If Joe would have stayed? We would have been in the playoffs again. I totally believe that."

langleyparkjoe · Post by **langleyparkjoe** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 1:40 pm

Kudos to John for calling VC out on destroying our franchise. Pretty funny reading it, I might've crashed my car laughing had I heard it live.

So wait, Joe Gibbs listens to the media and does what they say? Really? So why didn't he listen to the media and thousands of Nascar fans when they were begging him not to do a contract with Toyota?

Zorn had an ego problem? He's actually blaming Zorn? I kinda pegged Zorn as a guy that would say "hey, we're 6-2 so I'm not changing jack spit"... but I guess I was wrong.

Last thing, ;furious;

you Vinny!!!!

langleyparkjoe · Post by **langleyparkjoe** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 1:41 pm

.. oh and thanks Canes for posting that bro, I couldn't listen to it while at work so I appreciate that!

tribeofjudah · Post by **tribeofjudah** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 1:49 pm

BOOO....who cares?

riggofan · Post by **riggofan** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 2:36 pm

I caught a good chunk of that interview yesterday. Seriously it was enough to make you puke. The guy was in charge and just unwilling to accept responsibility for the poor personnel decisions, horrible decisions regarding the coaching staff, etc; Own it man!!!

I think the worst part of the interview btw is that Cerrato is clearly angling for a full time radio gig. I think I took away that he does some radio on the weekends right now. Anyone doubt that he'll end up on Snyder's station at some point if he wants to go that route?

MDSKINSFAN · Post by **MDSKINSFAN** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 2:37 pm

tribeofjudah wrote:BOOO....who cares?

That's what I'm saying. Why would you even have this guy on your radio show? He is an idiot, we all know how horrible he was. He is in the past. Were past that, lets not keep looking back to the Vinny years. He is irrelevant right now. Having him on a DC radio show right now is just beating a dead horse. We get it he was a moron who helped ruined the franchise and blames everyone but himself, MOVE ON, its the Shanahan-Allen era now!

SkinsJock · Post by **SkinsJock** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 2:57 pm

Pretty funny that - I mean, there's no doubt in most people/fans minds that have any real idea

THERE's NO DOUBT that Vinny Cerrato and Dan Snyder hurt this franchise badly by their bad management - NONE

VetSkinsFan · Post by **VetSkinsFan** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 3:15 pm

MDSKINSFAN wrote:
tribeofjudah wrote:BOOO....who cares?

That's what I'm saying. Why would you even have this guy on your radio show? He is an idiot, we all know how horrible he was. He is in the past. Were past that, lets not keep looking back to the Vinny years. He is irrelevant right now. Having him on a DC radio show right now is just beating a dead horse. We get it he was a moron who helped ruined the franchise and blames everyone but himself, MOVE ON, its the Shanahan-Allen era now!

Ratings...that's why. whether you love or hate cerrato, all you have to do is tune in to listen to him and the station gets the ratings benefit.

UK Skins Fan · Post by **UK Skins Fan** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 3:41 pm

Vinny? Cerrato?

Nope, can't say I've ever heard of him. Sorry.

1niksder · Post by **1niksder** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 6:55 pm

UK Skins Fan wrote:Vinny? Cerrato?

Nope, can't say I've ever heard of him. Sorry.

That's the government name for the guy you know as "the Danny's" lap dog

Skinsfan55 · Post by **Skinsfan55** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:01 pm

Wow, startling that man was running the franchise... and I was defending him. Apparently he's insane.

Now, no GM would have had success under the circumstances (constant turnover at HC, constant shifts in philosophy) but man, talk about a guy who's not up to the task...

Luckily he just torpedoed his chance at another front office gig.

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 12:29 pm

Loved what that caller was able to sneak in there. :lol:

Although I have to say I agree with VC in part on Gibbs/Saunders. I agree that Gibbs would have done much better than Saunders in the season following our playoff run, and we might have been able to get to the playoffs again.

Then again, why the hell would you blame Saunders on the media when you and Dan Snyder have 100% of the decision-making power?!!?!?!?!?! Why? Why! Just take responsibility for it like a man: say that you caved into the pressure and made a decision that you would take back if you could, and that the fault rests at your feet for not having stood up for what you believed in.

Of course, as we all know, standing up requires a spine. So I guess I shouldn't be surprised at VC's answer.

langleyparkjoe · Post by **langleyparkjoe** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 12:43 pm

Irn-Bru wrote:Loved what that caller was able to sneak in there.

Although I have to say I agree with VC in part on Gibbs/Saunders. I agree that Gibbs would have done much better than Saunders in the season following our playoff run, and we might have been able to get to the playoffs again.

Then again, why the hell would you blame Saunders on the media when you and Dan Snyder have 100% of the decision-making power?!!?!?!?!?! Why? Why! Just take responsibility for it like a man: say that you caved into the pressure and made a decision that you would take back if you could, and that the fault rests at your feet for not having stood up for what you believed in.

Of course, as we all know, standing up requires a spine. So I guess I shouldn't be surprised at VC's answer.

I agree Bru, no spine at all.. just come out and say yea man, I/we messed up.

UK Skins Fan · Post by **UK Skins Fan** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 1:55 pm

1niksder wrote:
UK Skins Fan wrote:Vinny? Cerrato?

Nope, can't say I've ever heard of him. Sorry.

That's the government name for the guy you know as "the Danny's" lap dog

Oh, HIM! Well, I have other names I use for him.

KCskin · Post by **KCskin** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 12:02 pm

There so much obvious bad to post up about Vinny but for just being a guy I like the dude.
If Dan is on the road with his hood up, I'm hitting the gas and praying for a mud puddle.
If it's Vinny, I'll stop to help.
He's a good guy.

Listening to the interview and remembering the George Michael interview with Wise, it's Dan that has done the worst of the damage.

But Vinny said that when he picked Zorn there was nobody else "ready".
Well, Steve Mariucci was "ready".

Then he complains that nobody on the staff had experience calling plays but at the same time, the people he interviewed said they were happy with the preselected staff.

That's all garbage and Vinny either lying his butt off
or just showing how lost he was in setting up the team.
In that period the team NEVER had a direction that would come from a sound General Manager.

Norv - Coryell/Zampese
Marty - Earhart-Perkins
Spurrier - Run and Shoot
Gibbs - Coryell/Gibbs
Gibbs - Saunders "Whatever Works" offense
Zorn - WCO

No defensive Head Coaches EVER.

How do you ever build up your personnel when you switch offensive schemes with every blink?
Vinny never had a chance.
Not that I think he would have ever been more than average, anyway.

This interview shows why Vin should not be employed to manage a football team.

But if he wants to hammer down some pizza and beer watching the NCAA Tournament,
I'm in.

KCskin · Post by **KCskin** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 12:03 pm

There so much obvious bad to post up about Vinny but for just being a guy I like the dude.
If Dan is on the road with his hood up, I'm hitting the gas and praying for a mud puddle.
If it's Vinny, I'll stop to help.
He's a good guy.

Listening to the interview and remembering the George Michael interview with Wise, it's Dan that has done the worst of the damage.

But Vinny said that when he picked Zorn there was nobody else "ready".
Well, Steve Mariucci was "ready".

Then he complains that nobody on the staff had experience calling plays but at the same time, the people he interviewed said they were happy with the preselected staff.

That's all garbage and Vinny either lying his butt off
or just showing how lost he was in setting up the team.
In that period the team NEVER had a direction that would come from a sound General Manager.

Norv - Coryell/Zampese
Marty - Earhart-Perkins
Spurrier - Run and Shoot
Gibbs - Coryell/Gibbs
Gibbs - Saunders "Whatever Works" offense
Zorn - WCO

No defensive Head Coaches EVER.

How do you ever build up your personnel when you switch offensive schemes with every blink?
Vinny never had a chance.
Not that I think he would have ever been more than average, anyway.

This interview shows why Vin should not be employed to manage a football team.

But if he wants to hammer down some pizza and beer watching the NCAA Tournament,
I'm in.