SB Nation DC: What If Vinny Cerrato Never Left?

[themurf]

(courtesy photo)

[Editor's note: As you know by now, I've started writing a weekly sports column for SB Nation DC. Every Tuesday, my contribution to society (or at least the D.C. sports scene) is located over there. And for some reason, I thought my good buddies here at ES might enjoy this column/tangent.]

True story: this past weekend I was forced to face one of my biggest fears in life as I boarded a flight from Chicago back to Washington, D.C.

No, it had nothing to do with a fear of flying or claustrophobia. It was much, much worse.

It was Vinny Cerrato.

I kid you not. The biggest villain in local sports (or, technically, the former Redskins' executive vice president of football operations. Sometimes I get those two confused) was standing just a few feet away from me as we began boarding the plane. Two things immediately stood out.

First, he was sitting at least a dozen or so rows behind me. In coach. Yeah, the guy who used to live and die to fuel up Redskins One for owner Daniel Snyder as the two flew cross country in pursuit of the most expensive free agents money can buy was now slumming it with the common folks. (I’d say something about how the mighty have fallen, but nothing on his resume suggests he was ever all that mighty.)

Second, he was wearing a Yankees hat – ensuring that, to this day, no one likes him. You got to give him that: the man is nothing, if not consistent.

While I passed up the chance to say anything to the mastermind of the “Decade of Disappointment,” simply crossing paths with Cerrato ensured I would be unable to sleep during the two-hour flight back home. Instead, my mind began to race about just how different things would have been this offseason had Vinny remained employed by my favorite football team.

Needless to say, heavy alcohol consumption and a near panic attack ensued.

Maybe you’ve never really asked yourself how bad things would be today if Bruce Allen hadn’t come to town and turned the Redskins into a respectable franchise once again. Let me welcome you to my nightmare.

For starters, there’s zero chance Mike Shanahan would be the head coach. Like Marty Schottenheimer before him, Shanahan is much too smart to let his fate rest in the hands of Cerrato. He’d have thanked the Redskins for their interest and then ended up in Dallas.

As if that thought isn’t enough of a stomach punch, remember this: without Shanahan there would also be no Jim Haslett or Kyle Shanahan. So if you’re like me, you’re already giddy at the thought of an aggressive-minded defensive coordinator who actually tries to pressure opposing teams or an offensive genius who is so skilled at his craft that he turned the bumbling Houston Texans into the top offense in football.

If Cerrato’s still here, you can go ahead and say goodbye to both of them. In fact, chances are the Redskins would have lost any chance at a top-tier head coach and would have had to settle for someone like two-time NFL failure/college-level cheater Pete Carroll or an in-house candidate like Jerry Gray.

You remember Gray, right? He was the Redskins’ former defensive backs coach who secretly interviewed for the head coach vacancy while Jim Zorn was still in the position. Doesn’t he just sound like someone you’d love to be the face of your franchise? If Cerrato was still on board, that’s probably who’d be calling the shots.

And the Redskins definitely wouldn’t have been savvy enough to pull off a trade for Donovan McNabb. Nope. Vinny wouldn’t have even thought to quietly pick up the phone and gauge the situation. If anything, the ‘Skins would have been the first team mentioned in trade talks because the burgundy and gold were never capable of keeping secrets during the Cerrato era.

Click here for the full article.

[Brandon Lloyd Christmas]

ugh, thats just disgusting. not only is he the biggest local failure, hes wearing a yankees hat.

[Hitman21ST]

Awesomely written article, and lots of good points.

Instead of Clausen though, we'd have either picked Eric Berry (book it!) or Dez Bryant. Everything else though is spot on I think.

[ECU-ALUM]

If Vinny never left...the image of many fans storming Redskins Park with pitch-forks and torches comes to mind.

The article...spot on!

[TheLongshot]

As someone who isn't completely sold on Shanahan - McNabb - Haslett moves, I don't necessarily think that not getting those guys would be the end of days as Murph said. I also disagree that Vinny didn't value protecting the QB, considering he built most of previous generation line.

As for draft picks, I think he would have picked an OL with the first pick and Clausen with the second. Possibly reversed too, but considering he's also the guy who picked Chris Samuels, I would think he'd be looking for the next one.

That being said, considering when Snyder let Vinny go, I think barring any miraculous turnaround, Vinny was gone. As I thought early in the season, Vinny's fate was tied to Zorn, and when Zorn failed, both were going to be gone.

The funny thing about the Haynesworth thing is that it is partially caused by the decisions of the current coaching staff and the decision to go to the 3-4. If we were still a 4-3 team, we probably wouldn't be having this discussion.

[THEREALTOR1]

Instead, my mind began to race about just how different things would have been this offseason had Vinny remained employed by my favorite football team.

That gives me the willies just thinking about it! Thanks Murf :mad:

Spot on, and scary as hell, all at the same time.

[slaga]

:evilg: Wouldn't Danny be the one to warrant the hug, not ShanAllen? Danny is the one responsible for ridding the Skins of the Vinny. In any case, the last decade was a nightmare and I am glad the era of Vinny is over.

[kappaluvacee]

If cerrato was still here, the Redskins would have a scrolling header on the NFL Network ticker indicating: "General admission Tix available for the first time in 60 years!"

[morpheusmeyers]

As for draft picks, I think he would have picked an OL with the first pick and Clausen with the second. Possibly reversed too, but considering he's also the guy who picked Chris Samuels, I would think he'd be looking for the next one.

The article stated that Vinny wanted to to use the teams 1st and 2nd round picks on a QB and a RB.

[themurf]

Awesomely written article, and lots of good points.

Instead of Clausen though, we'd have either picked Eric Berry (book it!) or Dez Bryant. Everything else though is spot on I think.

For what it's worth, I was told by someone I trust last season that Vinny Cerrato was dead set on going QB in the first round and RB in the second.

The article stated that Vinny wanted to to use the teams 1st and 2nd round picks on a QB and a RB.

Yeah. What he said.

[ttr77]

If cerrato was still here, the Redskins would have a scrolling header on the NFL Network ticker indicating: "General admission Tix available for the first time in 60 years!"

Followed closely by their signature tagline: "Over 200,000 names on the waiting list!"

[KingGibbs]

If Vinny were still here I would have pretty much zero enthusiasm this coming season. There was a time that I would get pissed about losing. The last few years I started to accept losing and that was the state we were in.

It feels good to be optimistic again and it feels good to know that I will get pissed about losing again.

[Dick Edds]

:evilg: Wouldn't Danny be the one to warrant the hug, not ShanAllen? Danny is the one responsible for ridding the Skins of the Vinny. In any case, the last decade was a nightmare and I am glad the era of Vinny is over.

let's not act like Snyder's hand wasn't being forced with the constant bombardment of "idiotness" by the local and national media and the thousands of dissatisfied season ticket holders threatening to not re-new their season tickets. Snyder was facing the biggest monetary decline since he took over ownership, and with a bankrupt 6 Flags corporation on the horizon ... he had no other choice but to listen to the people and at least remove himslef from managing football operations and get people on here the fan-base could believe in and not give up on.

Snyder was desperate to not lose millions of dollars, more-so than he thought Vinny was not a good football mind. At any rate I do thank Snyder for finally listening ... but it took him an awful long time to get real football people in here not named Joe Gibbs. Just saying. Bruce Allen IMO, is the mastermind behind the cultural change in this organization. More-so because of his ties with this franchise and its fan-base, and his reputation as one of the brightest GM's in the league. Allen brought instant creditability to this organizations front office, and Shanny brought instant creditability to this football team.

I'll give Snyder a kudo for bringing them in, but only one. HAIL.

Sincerely, still a little bit bitter over the last decade of disappointment.

[kappaluvacee]

Followed closely by their signature tagline: "Over 200,000 names on the waiting list!"

So true tr77!

[TheLongshot]

The article stated that Vinny wanted to to use the teams 1st and 2nd round picks on a QB and a RB.

He might have liked to, but he is someone who takes what the draft gives him. Also, I have a hard time believing that with the opportunity to draft one that he'd pass on a LT, considering that we didn't remotely have one. I guess he also could have traded for Jammal Brown and stick him there. Personally, I think that would have been a risky move, but I could see him doing something like that.

let's not act like Snyder's hand wasn't being forced with the constant bombardment of "idiotness" by the local and national media and the thousands of dissatisfied season ticket holders threatening to not re-new their season tickets. Snyder was facing the biggest monetary decline since he took over ownership, and with a bankrupt 6 Flags corporation on the horizon ... he had no other choice but to listen to the people and at least remove himslef from managing football operations and get people on here the fan-base could believe in and not give up on.

Snyder was desperate to not lose millions of dollars, more-so than he thought Vinny was not a good football mind. At any rate I do thank Snyder for finally listening ... but it took him an awful long time to get real football people in here not named Joe Gibbs. Just saying. Bruce Allen IMO, is the mastermind behind the cultural change in this organization. More-so because of his ties with this franchise and its fan-base, and his reputation as one of the brightest GM's in the league. Allen brought instant creditability to this organizations front office, and Shanny brought instant creditability to this football team.

I'll give Snyder a kudo for bringing them in, but only one. HAIL.

Sincerely, still a little bit bitter over the last decade of disappointment.

I wouldn't pat yourself on the back too hard. Snyder was looking to bring in Bruce Allen in some role last offseason as well. I know they talked at the Senior Bowl and there was a lot of speculation at the time.

[Califan007 The Constipated]

I wouldn't pat yourself on the back too hard. Snyder was looking to bring in Bruce Allen in some role last offseason as well. I know they talked at the Senior Bowl and there was a lot of speculation at the time.

Well before last season as well :yes:...I'm on record as being one who didn't think the "fan revolt" or negative stories in the media somehow forced Snyder's hand in all of this...he wanted Shanahan here pretty much the day after he got let go in Denver. He wanted Allen here during Gibbs' 2nd tenure.

[themurf]

I have a hard time believing that with the opportunity to draft one that he'd pass on a LT, considering that we didn't remotely have one.

Yeah, it's not like there's a decade of history to prove one side of the discussion or the other ... oh wait. Nevermind.

[Dick Edds]

I wouldn't pat yourself on the back too hard. Snyder was looking to bring in Bruce Allen in some role last offseason as well. I know they talked at the Senior Bowl and there was a lot of speculation at the time.

Thanks Longshot, I'll be sure to PM you directly when I am interested in knowing exactly what Dan Snyder really thinks and intends on doing. We're all speculating here to an extent ... and the only facts we have are that Vinny was here, and ShanAllen weren't ... but continue to "inform" me of what is really going on, mmmkay?

I am of the firm belief that the things I mentioned regarding the fan base revolt, season ticket non-renewals, our abysmal team/coaching staff and the media bashing DID have an effect on his decision to let go of Vinny. I don't really see how anyone can definitively refute that those items were not part of the overall equation, as to how we got to this point. But whatevs, not here to get into a pissing contest over what Snyder's "intentions" were or were not. Hail.

[Califan007 The Constipated]

Yeah, it's not like there's a decade of history to prove one side of the discussion or the other ... oh wait. Nevermind.

So you're saying that for a decade the Skins didn't have a LT and Vinny passed on drafting one?

[pjfootballer]

Actually, I think Vinny would have packaged our #1 this year and next year to the Rams for the #1 overall and probably would have had to throw in more picks. I think it would have been a typical Vinny panic move.

[authentic]

What If Vinny Cerrato Never Left?

Then i would have never retired this thread.

[TheLongshot]

Yeah, it's not like there's a decade of history to prove one side of the discussion or the other ... oh wait. Nevermind.

For most of that decade, the OL was pretty darn solid. It is only when we came to 2007 that we really needed to draft OL and we couldn't due to lack of draft picks. (Which both Gibbs and Vinny bear some responsibility for.)

Thanks Longshot, I'll be sure to PM you directly when I am interested in knowing exactly what Dan Snyder really thinks and intends on doing. We're all speculating here to an extent ... and the only facts we have are that Vinny was here, and ShanAllen weren't ... but continue to "inform" me of what is really going on, mmmkay?

I am of the firm belief that the things I mentioned regarding the fan base revolt, season ticket non-renewals, our abysmal team/coaching staff and the media bashing DID have an effect on his decision to let go of Vinny. I don't really see how anyone can definitively refute that those items were not part of the overall equation, as to how we got to this point. But whatevs, not here to get into a pissing contest over what Snyder's "intentions" were or were not. Hail.

Who is doing speculation here about what Snyder was thinking? I just posted a fact that he met with Allen in the previous offseason. As Califan007 said, he's long had an interest in Shanahan as well.

I think going 4-12 had a much larger effect on Vinny's fate. Having Bruce Allen available helped with that, since I expect that Snyder would only put someone he respected and trusted in that position.

You can believe what you want, but owners do whatever they want to do and I doubt that Snyder is hurting all THAT much financially. Even the new jumbotron could have been long in the planning stage for all you know.

[Huly]

Awesome read Murf!

[Dick Edds]

Who is doing speculation here about what Snyder was thinking? I just posted a fact that he met with Allen in the previous offseason. As Califan007 said, he's long had an interest in Shanahan as well.

I think going 4-12 had a much larger effect on Vinny's fate. Having Bruce Allen available helped with that, since I expect that Snyder would only put someone he respected and trusted in that position.

You can believe what you want, but owners do whatever they want to do and I doubt that Snyder is hurting all THAT much financially. Even the new jumbotron could have been long in the planning stage for all you know.

I cannot refute anything you have said ... hence the "we're all speculating here" comment.

Doesn't mean that we don't each have our own personal beliefs about what might have influenced Snyder's actions ... hence my own personal opinions as previously stated.

I'm not giving Danny a hug just yet ... all I am saying. Hail.

[Larry Brown #43]

I realize some of the article is meant to be tongue-in-cheek, but there’s definitely some truth in there. Here’s my take on some of the better points made in the column:

For starters, there’s zero chance Mike Shanahan would be the head coach…Shanahan is much too smart to let his fate rest in the hands of Cerrato. He’d have thanked the Redskins for their interest and then ended up in Dallas.

Absolutely true. Hard for anyone to argue otherwise.

As if that thought isn’t enough of a stomach punch, remember this: without Shanahan there would also be no Jim Haslett or Kyle Shanahan.

True.

In fact, chances are the Redskins would have lost any chance at a top-tier head coach and would have had to settle for someone like two-time NFL failure/college-level cheater Pete Carroll or an in-house candidate like Jerry Gray.

There would have been precious few decent candidates willing to work for the team under Dan and Vinny after the Zorn debacle. Only reason we landed Bruce and Shanahan was thanks to a complete restructuring of the organization. Without that, we’d be searching for the next Tom Cable to coach the team. Jerry Gray probably would have taken the job if offered.

And the Redskins definitely wouldn’t have been savvy enough to pull off a trade for Donovan McNabb.

We probably wouldn’t have gone after McNabb given Vinnie’s obsession with Claussen, but if we did, we probably would have given up more for him than we did.

And let’s not forget that if Cerrato was still here the entire NFL draft would have gone differently. I was told last season by someone I trust at Redskins Park that had Vinny remained, the team would have used their top two draft picks on a quarterback and a running back.

I have little doubt that Vinnie would have selected Claussen, and he wouldn’t have waited til the 2nd round. Vinnie said Claussen is worthy of a top-5 pick, so unless he was lying, I think Jimmy would have been our guy. Vinnie also has said that he believes o-linemen can be found in the later rounds.

And yes, that would have been the main attraction this offseason, because Albert Haynesworth wouldn’t have skipped the entire offseason. With Vinny around, "Fat Albert" would still get special treatment and be free to do whatever he sees fit. Plus, the team would still be running a 4-3 defense, so Haynesworth wouldn’t have had to cut off his left leg to drop 32 pounds this summer.

We would have hired a d-coordinator who would bend over backwards to make Albert happy, rather than hiring the best d-coordinator available.

Clinton Portis was so disgruntled after last season that he nearly demanded a trade.

Portis would have remained uninterested in practicing or competing as long as he was still here.

Here’s the kicker – because Cerrato doesn’t value protecting his quarterback, none of the offensive line upgrades would have taken place. Artis Hicks. Jammal Brown. Trent Williams. Selvish Capers. They’d all be elsewhere. When "Big" Mike Williams discovered he’d miss the 2010 season because of blood clots near his heart, the ‘Skins would be forced to trot out the likes of Chad Rinehart, Stephon Heyer and Will Montgomery as starters.

Hard to argue with this. Vinnie never once acknowledged that the o-line was a deficiency on last year's team, instead blaming the problems on injuries. He likely would have been forced to make some kind of moves with Samuels and Thomas departing, but it's hard to say how big a priority that would be. Probably a couple of Levi Jones stopgap-type moves, to go along with a late round o-line pick or two.