Marty's contract allows Dan to hire a GM

[88Comrade2000]

>>By Mark Maske

Washington Post Staff Writer

Wednesday, December 26, 2001; Page D01

Coach Marty Schottenheimer's contract with the Washington Redskins gives team owner Daniel Snyder full authority to hire a front office executive to head the club's player personnel department if he chooses.

That leaves open the possibility that Snyder could hire a general manager or an executive with GM-like powers this offseason who would report to Snyder, not Schottenheimer, and oversee the retooling of the team's roster.

Schottenheimer acknowledged yesterday that Snyder retained that right under the terms of the coach's contract. But Schottenheimer declined to say what his reaction would be if Snyder decides to make such a move.

"Those are matters that we'll sit down and talk about after the season," Schottenheimer said after arriving at Redskins Park in the afternoon to prepare for Sunday night's game at New Orleans.

Redskins officials had suggested since Snyder hired Schottenheimer in January that Schottenheimer had total control of the team's football operations. Schottenheimer signed a four-year, $10 million contract to serve as the Redskins' head coach and director of football operations.

But Schottenheimer's contract gives Snyder more control over football-related matters than previously had been believed. One NFL source who has seen the contract said yesterday that the pact says the "head coach acknowledges the owner has the right to hire a director of player personnel . . . or a vice president of football operations."

The members of the Redskins' player personnel department report to Snyder, not Schottenheimer, under the terms of Schottenheimer's contract, the NFL source said. But Snyder expressed confidence in Schottenheimer all season and apparently allowed the personnel department to report to Schottenheimer. That could change this offseason if Snyder hires a general manager or an executive with comparable powers.

Schottenheimer had said on Monday that he had no plans to hire a general manager or make any changes to his coaching staff.

Yesterday Schottenheimer said: "I was asked whether I plan to hire a general manager, and I said no. I don't."

The contract does give Schottenheimer total control over the composition of his coaching staff, the league source said.

In recent days, Snyder repeatedly has declined to comment about his plans for the offseason.

Some NFL front office executives believe that the Redskins (6-8) will pursue Ron Wolf, who retired as the Green Bay Packers' GM last offseason and now lives in Annapolis. Wolf once traded for quarterback Brett Favre and was the architect of the Packers teams that made consecutive Super Bowl appearances following the 1996 and '97 seasons. He now serves as a consultant to the Packers.

The Redskins currently have a vice president of football operations, Pepper Rodgers, and a vice president of player personnel, John Schneider. Rodgers apparently could be moved to a new job within the organization if the Redskins hire a new vice president of football operations.

Last offseason, Schottenheimer fired Vinny Cerrato as the Redskins' director of player personnel and replaced him with Schneider, who had been the Seattle Seahawks' personnel director. Some NFL executives were surprised at the time that Schottenheimer would pass over the more experienced candidates that he interviewed -- including Ken Herock, formerly Wolf's top lieutenant in Green Bay -- to hire the 30-year-old Schneider.

Schneider has overseen the Redskins' scouting operations while Schottenheimer has had almost complete control over crafting the team's roster, negotiating contracts and managing the club's salary cap situation. Schottenheimer attacked the team's brewing salary cap troubles sooner rather than later and pared the roster last offseason. But he raised eyebrows around the league when he released fullback Larry Centers after the two clashed over Centers's approach to offseason conditioning, and when he opted to enter the season with Jeff George as his starting quarterback. Schottenheimer ended up releasing George two games into the season and turning to Tony Banks, who had been signed during training camp.

The Redskins have 18 players eligible for unrestricted free agency this offseason -- including Banks, backup quarterback Kent Graham, wide receiver Michael Westbrook, tight end Stephen Alexander, center Cory Raymer, guards Ben Coleman and Dave Szott and linebackers Shawn Barber and Robert Jones. The team apparently would like to upgrade at quarterback, even if it re-signs Banks or Graham, but it is unclear whether it would be successful.

Sources close to the situation said this week that Snyder is leaning toward retaining Schottenheimer as the team's coach but a final decision will not be made until after the season. The results of the Redskins' remaining two games and Schottenheimer's willingness to accept some changes could factor into Snyder's decision about whether to retain Schottenheimer, sources have said.

There seems to be some sentiment within the organization for replacing offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye. The Redskins are ranked 27th in the NFL in total offense and are averaging 14 points per game, second-worst in the league. But Schottenheimer's statement Monday that he won't make any changes among his assistant coaches is backed up by his contract giving him control of his staff.

The Redskins have lost three of their past four games and were eliminated from playoff contention last Sunday when they lost to the Chicago Bears, 20-15, at FedEx Field. It is only the fourth time in his 15 full seasons as an NFL head coach that Schottenheimer's team has failed to qualify for the playoffs.

© 2001 The Washington Post Company<<<

Now if only Marty will fire Raye. I wonder what Marty does? If Dan has the power to hire a GM, h must do so. Will Marty whine like a baby and quit?

[NavyDave]

Didn't see your post.

d@mn that eggnog

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Take A Sip of the Marty KoolAid and Believe.