What does Vinny Cerrato do?

[WillH]

So based on random articles, that are probably based on little other then heresay (like everything else going on right now), it seems that the major issue between Dan Snyder and Gregg Williams that has delayed (what seems inevitable) Gregg Williams becoming Head Coach , is that Gregg Williams wants a GM brought in and perhaps wants Vinny Cerrato to leave.

Well I happen to be of the opinion that Danny should reliquish complete control of personel decisions to Williams. This is based on the fact that, before Gibbs, Danny and Vinny did't have the best track record on personnel decision. But once Gibbs was given complete control he brought in personnel to help scout players, and aloud his coordinators to bring in their own guys to their respective units. Seemngly, this has been working well because we have begun not only building through the draft rather then free agency, but also been fairly successful with our draft picks even in the late rounds. On top of all that, Gregg Williams seems to have fared the best with his scouting decisions (minus Archuletta of course). With that in mind I have to think that the best thing for this team to maintain continuity, is to make Williams head coach and allow him to have the final word on all personnel decisions.

My cousin (RobH4413 by the way), is of the mind that the system is working the way it is right now, and that we should bring in William but that he should not be allowed to neither bring in a GM nor can Cerrato. In his opinion, if this thing is working the way it is then nothing should be changed, that Cerrato being a part of the system should stay, and that bringing in a GM could screw this whole thing up.

Generally the two of us agree about this, except when it comes to the Cerrato/new GM issue. Our main disagreement is that I feel Cerrato is an expendable part of this system, whereas he believes that he is not. I have argued that it is unclear what Cerrato actually does, and that it seems to me that while he has been here, he has only been a YES man for Danny, giving him more leverage over oaches when it comes to personnel decisions. Obviously when Gibbs was here Danny would concede to him out of respect, but I doubt he will do that for Gregg Williams. In fact I think that this discrepency about Cerrato/ new GM is proof of that. In the end I feel like Cerrato will be a detriment to the overall structure of this organization going forward without Gibbs. RobH4413, has argued that I am basing this on very little, and that Cerrato must indeed by vital to the personnell decisions ("why else would Gibbs keep him here?"). And I agree that I know nothing concrete on Cerrato's position in this organization.

So I implore you, Help us settle this arguement. WTF does Cerrato do for the Redskins? How valuable is he? Should Danny allow him to have more of a say with personnel decisions with Gibbs gone? Or Should Williams be allowed to bring in a GM?

[QBall]

How has there been a delay when he's been on 3 interviews and they have yet to hear from a minority candidate?

[Skinny Tee]

I implore you to write shorter message next time.

[WillH]

If Dan Snyder wanted he could have set it up that Williams would take over without having to compete for the job, thus NO interviews would have to take place, thus the Rooney Rule would not be in affect.

[QBall]

Originally Posted by WillH

If Dan Snyder wanted he could have set it up that Williams would take over without having to compete for the job, thus NO interviews would have to take place, thus the Rooney Rule would not be in affect.

Why not just interview and have the best man win the job? That just happens to be GW.

[lespaul]

Originally Posted by Skinny Tee

I implore you to write shorter message next time.

LOL........

[RobH4413]

I think a lot of the argument here on the site has a lot to do with getting a GM.

To answer your question Will, I think Vinny has been stellar in handling the cap. He's banked on the CBA to raise, and so far he's been spot on the money. Give credit where credit is due...

I wonder what else his responsibilities are, and actually think this is a pretty good thread to help clarify to everyone... so we don't have random shouts of, "We need a GM!", all over the place. I understand that's not how your approaching this, but I think over 90% of the people have no idea what they're taking about when they cry aimlessly for Vinny's head.

I also admit ignorance. I don't know all of Vinny's responsibilities. I'm fairly certain he helps scout, weighs in on the draft and any general personnel issues... but beyond that I don't know.

[stone]

I think Will H is on to something here. Danny won't give the job to GW because GW wants a setup that Danny is not willing to provide (GM, Full control etc...) whatever it may be... So Danny is going outside to find a candate that is willing to accept Dannys terms w/ no arguement... just to slap GW in the face. In the end I think Danny's going to beat GW into submission and GW is going to agree to terms that he's not 100% satisified with because (i hope) Danny can't find someone willing to bend to his demands... ( hopefully GW gets what he wants and this is not the case)... coach for a year, get frustrated and tell Danny to F-off and go get a HC position somewhere else on his terms and excell tremendiously.... Man, I hope i'm wrong and GW gets exactly what he wants but if that was the case, he'd have the job already. This sucks.

[rypper11]

He is similar to McKay in Atlanta now. He answers to Snyder and controls the financial well-being of the team. When Danny (or Gibbs or GW or whoever) decides he needs a player it's up to Vinny to make it work.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by RobH4413

I also admit ignorance. I don't know all of Vinny's responsibilities. I'm fairly certain he helps scout, weighs in on the draft and any general personnel issues... but beyond that I don't know.

I don't think anyone outside of Redskins Park knows precisely what Vinny does. We know he helps scout FAs and draft prospects, but beyond that we know squat. We don't know whether he supported or opposed the Duckett or Lloyd trades, or the acquisition of guys like Marcus Washington or Randy Thomas. That's precisely why I can't understand why people lay all, or most, of the blame for bad FO decisions at his feet. It's popular to find a scapegoat for any bad FO moves, but I don't think it's fair in the absence of additional information.

[SouperMeister]

I think Vinny's most important function here is to let The Danny win at racquetball.

[SmootSmack]

As I understand it, essentially you've got Louis Riddick leading a team of scouts that research and target pro players (NFL, CFL, AFL) and then Scott Campbell leads the team that does the same for the college players. And Vinny oversees both groups, participates in the latters stages of player evaluation, makes suggestions based on their findings, and essentially serves as a filter of information to ownership (and Gibbs when he was here).

But they supposedly give Riddick/Campbell pretty much carte blanche, not sure I'm using the term right actually but Snyder and Cerrato usually go off their recommendations without much pushback.

And the other key player is Eric Schaeffer, who handles the money.

[12thMan]

I hear Eric Schaeffer is one smart cookie. Or if you live in Boston, he's smaat.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

I hear Eric Schaeffer is one smart cookie. Or if you live in Boston, he's smaat.

One of my bosses here worked with him at IMG, said he's "fuckin' brilliant" Could easily run a team, could be Commissioner even.

[Dirtbag59]

I sometimes wonder if Vinny Cerato is there as an excuse to let Dan Synder make decisions in regards to personel, since a lot of us got nervous after the first few years of Dan Synder making decisions on his own. In other words when we sign a player the credit goes to Vinny Cerato and Dan Synder rather then Dan Synder making decisions on his own.

Metaphor: Its kind of like Synder going to court with a lawyer as opposed to an average Joe representing himself in a felony case.

On a side note I'm pro-Dan Synder, I love the guy and personally woulnd't want anyone else to own the Redskins short of Joe Gibbs.