Vinny Cerrato

[12thMan]

I have to admit I was pretty damn impressed with the way Vinny Cerrato commanded the draft yesterday. He was comfortable with the national media and you can see what they're trying to build here.

I've never been a Cerrato basher, because I never really understood what his actual role was until recently. It seems like most of the attention has always been on who didn't work out for the Redskins, instead of who did. Guys like Cooley, Sean Taylor (R.I.P.) and a host of others have played admirably for this franchise. The problem was, at least in my mind, you could never pin failure or success on one person within the organization. So we as fans, rightfully or wrongfully, ran the flag up the pole to Snyder and said the buck stops here. Often times the media was the ring leader, and emotional fans would buy into that narrative hook, line, and sinker.

Perhaps now it's more clear why Cerrato and Gregg Williams couldn't co-exist together on personnel matters. Maybe Williams release wasn't personal afterall, I guess it was "personnel." I'm sure Williams would have flipped his lid when we passed over Calais Campbell from Miami, and can you blame him? The cold, hard truth is this is just one draft and there will be another Long, Campbell, or Vernon Gholston next year. And if we really mean business, then we'll be in position to pick that guy.

I'm not ready to anoint Cerrato the next Ron Wolf or Bobby Beatheard, but after looking at everything unfold yesterday I feel pretty comfortable that this guy knows what he's doing and has a sense of vision. You can't judge everything on one draft alone, but whether you agree with all the picks or not, it's hard to argue that the Redskins made bone headed decisions or screwed this one up. Maybe there were just too many Chefs in the kitchen afterall.

[Soup's Uncle]

Yeah, overall I liked how he handled it. Now if next year, he uses 3 of the first picks on WR's, then I'll be pissed.

[Schneed10]

And dare I say, he was actually likeable in his interview with Trey Wingo yesterday afternoon.

Kiper has a lot of respect for Vinny's ability as a talent evaluator.

[KB24]

While I admit to being an avid Cerrato-basher and I have to give him props for the way he handled the draft this weekend. I've always been a BIG fan of trading down to get more picks if the value of the player isn't worth the selection. He did that numerous times and it was quite the coup to get TWO(!) big receivers in the second round after they were thought to be gone in the first. They'll both contribute this coming season as they battle Mix and Thrash for the third and fourth receiver spots. I do question the wisdom of taking a tight end in the second round and not doing more to address the defensive line, the strategy used was solid and the patience demonstrated may be an indication that maybe Snyder is learning. Time will tell, but this draft weekend was positive to me.

[Schneed10]

By the way 12thMan, that's a very well written opinion to open the thread, and one I have to say I wholeheartedly agree with. You could be a sportswriter.

I agree that it's tough to tell who was responsible for certain personnel moves over the last few seasons. Some love to come down on Snyder, but he limits his media exposure so much that it's hard for any writer to accurately say exactly what his level of involvement has been the last few seasons.

Now we seem to have a clear definition of the roles and responsibilities. Vinny is now clearly making the personnel decisions while listening to the input of all those minds at his disposal within the organization. And yesterday's interview with Trey Wingo on ESPN is the first sign that he's the face of the front office, and will be accountable to the fans and the media going forward.

[redskinmann]

Amazing the number of people who trashed the redskins draft, and now jump on the bandwagon now that all the experts( Kiper, Prisco) have now said that the redskins draft was a very good one. I liked it from the beginning. The defense won't be world beaters, but at least the offense could be something that won't put the fans too sleep every weekend now.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

And dare I say, he was actually likeable in his interview with Trey Wingo yesterday afternoon.

Kiper has a lot of respect for Vinny's ability as a talent evaluator.

Yeah I heard Kiper remark a couple of times this weekend that he thinks Vinny's strength is evaluating talent.

I like that we finally have someone in place that we know is calling the shots and can be accountable for what we do personnel-wise.

[GTripp0012]

I'm not impressed by the haul, but I AM impressed by the job that Vinny did. Trading down three separate times, and attacking a need to make sure it wouldn't be a need anymore, all signs of a great GM in the making.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by redskinmann

Amazing the number of people who trashed the redskins draft, and now jump on the bandwagon now that all the experts( Kiper, Prisco) have now said that the redskins draft was a very good one. I liked it from the beginning. The defense won't be world beaters, but at least the offense could be something that won't put the fans too sleep every weekend now.

A good portion of the Warpath liked the draft. Including all of those who have responded in this thread up until this post.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by redskinmann

Amazing the number of people who trashed the redskins draft, and now jump on the bandwagon now that all the experts( Kiper, Prisco) have now said that the redskins draft was a very good one. I liked it from the beginning. The defense won't be world beaters, but at least the offense could be something that won't put the fans too sleep every weekend now.

What's more amazing to me is despite most draft experts saying the Redskins had a good draft, there are still people out there bashing away at everything the team does.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

What's more amazing to me is despite most draft experts saying the Redskins had a good draft, there are still people out there bashing away at everything the team does.

I dunno man, most of the people who bash the team on everything they do seem pretty happy with the draft.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

I'm not impressed by the haul, but I AM impressed by the job that Vinny did. Trading down three separate times, and attacking a need to make sure it wouldn't be a need anymore, all signs of a great GM in the making.

Yeah but, and no offense, you tend to get so mired in the details when it comes to the draft and all these players that if the draft doesn't go according to how you'd draft it, you'll naturally be unimpressed.

If you step back and check out the forest for the trees, we acquired some weapons at key areas, which will expand the various methods we can employ to attack a defense.

If you focus on what we didn't get, I think you miss the point of the draft. Instead focus on what we did get. It was a number of very talented players who will be paid on the cheap.

[redsk1]

Vinny is a likeable guy. I thought he did well in the draft this year. However...I still judge the skins and the FO on wins and losses. Vinny hasn't really done a good job (we don't know exactly what his role has been in the past), b/c we haven't really been too successful. There's really no way to argue to the contrary. Hopefully we're headed in the right direction.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

I dunno man, most of the people who bash the team on everything they do seem pretty happy with the draft.

A couple of people gave the Redskins an 'F' here in our draft grade poll, granted those were only a select few, but still a sign that the team can seemingly do no right for some. And what the hell is up JLC's ass?

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

A couple of people gave the Redskins an 'F' here in our draft grade poll, granted those were only a select few, but still a sign that the team can seemingly do no right for some. And what the hell is up JLC's ass?

He seems frustrated and pessimistic, but he is right on everything he said. I didn't have a problem with the draft plan, but had we deviated from it in a few places, we could have done much better. I agree with him on that.

Originally Posted by Jason La Canfora

But if the first-day gamble does not work, then those moves in the second round could be long remember(ed) as well, for very different reasons.

That is factual, is it not?

I'm getting the vibe that people are very willing right now to throw out the possibility that this draft might not look as good in three years as it does right now.