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ROSTER CHANGES LOOM
12/18/09 @ 4:42pm by Spencer Rhoda
No matter who the head coach will be next year (its safe to say it won't be anyone on the current staff), he'll want to bring in his own guys. There is going to be alot of turnover on the roster, so why don't we look at the current roster and project who should and should not return. Its tough to gage, because there's no telling whether or not there is going to be a Salary Cap. Today we'll do the RB's.
Running Backs:
Clinton Portis- This might depend on who the coach is... Shanahan will likely keep him, but he's nearing his end in this town. Did he perform like the highest paid player? (returns)
Ladell Betts- If new blood doesn't come at the starting position, its got to be the backup. Betts has been here forever. (leaves)
Rock Cartwright- A great special teamer, not someone who is going to give you a spark as a runner, but a capable and affordable depth player. (returns)
Marcus Mason- A pure runner, who could carry the load if given the opportunity. He has done everything asked of him as a Redskin. I would love to see the team have handed this guy the rock sometime over the last three years that he's been with the team. They didnt, hopefully a new coach will, but perhaps he can find a better situation this offseason. (leaves)
Quinton Ganther- Had a nice day last Sunday, finding the endzone twice. If he succeeds over the next three weeks, he could find a spot on next years roster, though a new coach may not be interested in a guy who was signed halfway through the season off another teams practice squad. (leaves)
NOTE: if Portis leaves, expect Mason and Ganther to get a good hard look in camp
Who's coming in:
The possibility of signing a free agent running back might be a real one. The top of my wish list would be Darren Sproles, supposing he doesn't work something out in San Diego. Sproles would be expensive, but he'd be everything you want in a change of pace back. The more likely scenario is that a running back is drafted somewhere between rounds 2 and 5. The reality of drafting a running back is that guys coming out of college (at that position more than any other) are able to be successful immediately.
SHANAHAN IN DC?
12/18/09 @ 4:42pm by Spencer Rhoda
We all know that rumored prospective coach Jon Gruden will be at FedEx field to call the game on Monday. But according to a local Fox affiliate, two-time Superbowl winning coach Mike Shanahan was at Redskins Park this morning. Amid a swirl of media rumors about Shanahan becoming the next coach of the Skins, this seems like a reasonable report. However, the Redskins have announced that it is erroneous. Fox 5 has taken the story down, and no word yet on whether a retraction will be issued for the story.
According to Jason La Confora, who worked on the Redskins beat for the Post last season, it is likely that Shanahan will be hired to coach the Skins next season. He also says that Jon Gruden cannot get out of his ESPN contract. As in, there is no way for Gruden to become the coach next season. I find it hard to believe that his contract cannot be bought out; and that, whatever the amount might be, Dan Snyder wouldn't cover the cost if Gruden was who he wanted.
SNYDERATTO GONE FOR GOOD?
12/17/09 @ 8:41pm by Spencer Rhoda
This is the first General Manager that owner Dan Snyder has hired, ever. And no one has held that title this decade. Not since Charley Casserly in 1999 has anyone held such a title; and he was a remnant of the Cooke ownership days. It certainly is a step in the right direction for an owner whose meddling in the day-to-day football operations has caused many to believe that Snyder himself was the actual GM.
The main problem with Vinny Cerrato lied in the fact that he was an utter yes-man for Snyder. Ceratto purportedly would go into the owner’s office each day and ask, “what do we want to do today?” This is not speculation, ask anyone on ESPN 980 owned by Snyder; ask one of the two Larry’s employed by Snyder. In truth, Snyderatto was the GM here for the past several years, and they barely maintained mediocrity despite the Leagues highest payroll of that span and a Hall of Fame Head Coach in Joe Gibbs coming out of retirement to balance the franchise.
On the Lavarr Arrington Show with Chad Dukes, the ex-Skins linebacker hoped Snyder is “starting to wise up” as a result of “the stress from fans and losing" and ultimately get football people in place to make the decisions that he was making with racquetball partner Cerrato.
But now Cerrato is gone, the loyalists no longer have to worry about this sputter-speaking talkshow host whispering to the owner any longer. The last time he was fired was supposedly due to he and Marty Shottenheimer not seeing eye to eye. The former VP of football operations alleged to have told Shottenhiemer while the two were disagreeing over a personnel issue that, while Marty might technically have the final say on such matters, “we’ll see what happens when I’m up in the owner’s box during the game.” Needless to say, Cerrato was right—he undoubtedly had Snyder’s ear; but his brashness toward Shottenheimer would lead to his termination. After an 8-8 season (Marty’s first) in which the Redskins finished very strong with promise headed into the next year, Snyder canned the accomplished coach. And re-hired Vinny.
So what’s to say Cerrato is gone for good? According to Lavarr, he’s not even gone. Arrington, who calls ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter a good friend, said that in a telephone conversation with the in-the-know reporter that Vinny would “stay in the fold” and that “"anyone who thought he wasn’t going to be in the building anymore is confused.” More than confusing, these allegations are troubling. Put him out to pasture, let him stumble over his words in a TV studio, anything but give him a pass to the park. Arrington says that, per Schefter, Cerrato will stay on as a “Personal Advisor to Dan Snyder.” Isn’t that pretty much all he was anyway? Perhaps I’m making a too much of this, but if I were Bruce Allen I’d want this guy as far away from the team as possible.
So why then would there be any reason to keep him around? Another Guest of Lavarr and Chad’s today was Mike Florio of NBC’s Pro Football Talk (www.profootballtalk.com). Florio noted that Cerrato is “taking the fall” for the troubles of the past couple years and opined that Snyder could not “afford to let this guy out ther upset.” He suggested that Cerrato knows all too much about the inner-workings of the organization, if Vinny were to leave angered, he might decide to air the dirty laundry of this franchise. “Isn’t it funny,” Florio spoke provocatively, “that [the Albert Haynesworth tampering charge] was put to bed just a few days ago.” “Exactly what happened with Albert Haynesworth” is certainly something the Redskins don’t want being talked about openly by a beleaguered former-member of their organization. While the team has been cleared of any wrong doing, it is very unlikely that a $100 million dollar contract was negotiated and signed just five hours after the opening of free agency last offseason. And if someone were to come forward with information from inside the organization, it could cost the Skins a draft pick or two to be surrendered to Haynesworth’s former team, the Tennessee Titans.
In the humble opinion of DC’s newest blogger, worries of Cerrato seeking revenge against his one-time employer should not be a concern. He was employed longer here than he would have been anywhere else with the same performance and paid more here than he would have been paid with any other team. Cerrato ought to be thankful we put up with him as long as we did, but I can do it no more. As long as Vinny Cerrato has a key to the building, I’ll remain skeptical that this owner has truly changed coarse.
BRUCE ALLEN PRESS CONFERENCE
12/17/09 @ 4:23pm by Spencer Rhoda
SYANARA CERRATO
12/17/09 @ 2:32pm by Spencer Rhoda
12/18/09 @ 4:42pm by Spencer Rhoda
No matter who the head coach will be next year (its safe to say it won't be anyone on the current staff), he'll want to bring in his own guys. There is going to be alot of turnover on the roster, so why don't we look at the current roster and project who should and should not return. Its tough to gage, because there's no telling whether or not there is going to be a Salary Cap. Today we'll do the RB's.
Running Backs:
Clinton Portis- This might depend on who the coach is... Shanahan will likely keep him, but he's nearing his end in this town. Did he perform like the highest paid player? (returns)
Ladell Betts- If new blood doesn't come at the starting position, its got to be the backup. Betts has been here forever. (leaves)
Rock Cartwright- A great special teamer, not someone who is going to give you a spark as a runner, but a capable and affordable depth player. (returns)
Marcus Mason- A pure runner, who could carry the load if given the opportunity. He has done everything asked of him as a Redskin. I would love to see the team have handed this guy the rock sometime over the last three years that he's been with the team. They didnt, hopefully a new coach will, but perhaps he can find a better situation this offseason. (leaves)
Quinton Ganther- Had a nice day last Sunday, finding the endzone twice. If he succeeds over the next three weeks, he could find a spot on next years roster, though a new coach may not be interested in a guy who was signed halfway through the season off another teams practice squad. (leaves)
NOTE: if Portis leaves, expect Mason and Ganther to get a good hard look in camp
Who's coming in:
The possibility of signing a free agent running back might be a real one. The top of my wish list would be Darren Sproles, supposing he doesn't work something out in San Diego. Sproles would be expensive, but he'd be everything you want in a change of pace back. The more likely scenario is that a running back is drafted somewhere between rounds 2 and 5. The reality of drafting a running back is that guys coming out of college (at that position more than any other) are able to be successful immediately.
SHANAHAN IN DC?
12/18/09 @ 4:42pm by Spencer Rhoda
We all know that rumored prospective coach Jon Gruden will be at FedEx field to call the game on Monday. But according to a local Fox affiliate, two-time Superbowl winning coach Mike Shanahan was at Redskins Park this morning. Amid a swirl of media rumors about Shanahan becoming the next coach of the Skins, this seems like a reasonable report. However, the Redskins have announced that it is erroneous. Fox 5 has taken the story down, and no word yet on whether a retraction will be issued for the story.
According to Jason La Confora, who worked on the Redskins beat for the Post last season, it is likely that Shanahan will be hired to coach the Skins next season. He also says that Jon Gruden cannot get out of his ESPN contract. As in, there is no way for Gruden to become the coach next season. I find it hard to believe that his contract cannot be bought out; and that, whatever the amount might be, Dan Snyder wouldn't cover the cost if Gruden was who he wanted.
SNYDERATTO GONE FOR GOOD?
12/17/09 @ 8:41pm by Spencer Rhoda
This is the first General Manager that owner Dan Snyder has hired, ever. And no one has held that title this decade. Not since Charley Casserly in 1999 has anyone held such a title; and he was a remnant of the Cooke ownership days. It certainly is a step in the right direction for an owner whose meddling in the day-to-day football operations has caused many to believe that Snyder himself was the actual GM.
The main problem with Vinny Cerrato lied in the fact that he was an utter yes-man for Snyder. Ceratto purportedly would go into the owner’s office each day and ask, “what do we want to do today?” This is not speculation, ask anyone on ESPN 980 owned by Snyder; ask one of the two Larry’s employed by Snyder. In truth, Snyderatto was the GM here for the past several years, and they barely maintained mediocrity despite the Leagues highest payroll of that span and a Hall of Fame Head Coach in Joe Gibbs coming out of retirement to balance the franchise.
On the Lavarr Arrington Show with Chad Dukes, the ex-Skins linebacker hoped Snyder is “starting to wise up” as a result of “the stress from fans and losing" and ultimately get football people in place to make the decisions that he was making with racquetball partner Cerrato.
But now Cerrato is gone, the loyalists no longer have to worry about this sputter-speaking talkshow host whispering to the owner any longer. The last time he was fired was supposedly due to he and Marty Shottenheimer not seeing eye to eye. The former VP of football operations alleged to have told Shottenhiemer while the two were disagreeing over a personnel issue that, while Marty might technically have the final say on such matters, “we’ll see what happens when I’m up in the owner’s box during the game.” Needless to say, Cerrato was right—he undoubtedly had Snyder’s ear; but his brashness toward Shottenheimer would lead to his termination. After an 8-8 season (Marty’s first) in which the Redskins finished very strong with promise headed into the next year, Snyder canned the accomplished coach. And re-hired Vinny.
So what’s to say Cerrato is gone for good? According to Lavarr, he’s not even gone. Arrington, who calls ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter a good friend, said that in a telephone conversation with the in-the-know reporter that Vinny would “stay in the fold” and that “"anyone who thought he wasn’t going to be in the building anymore is confused.” More than confusing, these allegations are troubling. Put him out to pasture, let him stumble over his words in a TV studio, anything but give him a pass to the park. Arrington says that, per Schefter, Cerrato will stay on as a “Personal Advisor to Dan Snyder.” Isn’t that pretty much all he was anyway? Perhaps I’m making a too much of this, but if I were Bruce Allen I’d want this guy as far away from the team as possible.
So why then would there be any reason to keep him around? Another Guest of Lavarr and Chad’s today was Mike Florio of NBC’s Pro Football Talk (www.profootballtalk.com). Florio noted that Cerrato is “taking the fall” for the troubles of the past couple years and opined that Snyder could not “afford to let this guy out ther upset.” He suggested that Cerrato knows all too much about the inner-workings of the organization, if Vinny were to leave angered, he might decide to air the dirty laundry of this franchise. “Isn’t it funny,” Florio spoke provocatively, “that [the Albert Haynesworth tampering charge] was put to bed just a few days ago.” “Exactly what happened with Albert Haynesworth” is certainly something the Redskins don’t want being talked about openly by a beleaguered former-member of their organization. While the team has been cleared of any wrong doing, it is very unlikely that a $100 million dollar contract was negotiated and signed just five hours after the opening of free agency last offseason. And if someone were to come forward with information from inside the organization, it could cost the Skins a draft pick or two to be surrendered to Haynesworth’s former team, the Tennessee Titans.
In the humble opinion of DC’s newest blogger, worries of Cerrato seeking revenge against his one-time employer should not be a concern. He was employed longer here than he would have been anywhere else with the same performance and paid more here than he would have been paid with any other team. Cerrato ought to be thankful we put up with him as long as we did, but I can do it no more. As long as Vinny Cerrato has a key to the building, I’ll remain skeptical that this owner has truly changed coarse.
BRUCE ALLEN PRESS CONFERENCE
12/17/09 @ 4:23pm by Spencer Rhoda
Bruce
Allen has been officially introduced as the General Manager of the
Washington Redskins. He met the DC media at Redskins Park in Ashburn,
VA for the first time in that role today. His comments regarding team
building are encouraging for the simple reason that he acknowledges
that talent alone should not be the only attribute considered when
forming a squad. The idea of putting a team together must include
discussion of how personalities will mesh. There must be talent, but
more importantly perhaps is cohesion. "Its a team," George Allen said
in answering a question regarding his philosophy on team building, "The
principals of football are simple. 53 men, the entire staff, everyone
in the building going in the same direction for one common purpose,
thats to win."
His father George Allen once said "forty men together cannot lose." Bruce Allen was preaching a similar strategy on the John Thompson show shortly after the presser this afternoon: "My goal here is to build a team on the field and off the field that has one common objective and that is to win." He has shown in the past that he is not interested in over-paid, media-loving stars; cutting Keyshawn Johnson in Tampa Bay. Should a guy like Clinton Portis be worried? He can't be happy with Vinny being gone, considering that Cerrato was the personnel director who guaranteed his contract for far longer than it should have been. Portis will still take home roughly $6 million dollars next year, regardless of whether or not he is on the roster. Allen also said that he will evaluate the game tape after the year is over, but he is "happy to have the opportunity" to have "intimate knowledge of the decision making process" over the last three games.
Allen was asked by John Thompson on the show that bears his name what he expected his relationship with the owner would be. He dodged the question entirely, instead talking about another relationship within the organization: "The head coach and the gm relationship that I've always been in takes alot of time and nurturing to make sure everyone is on the same page... constant communication." He was pressed further by the former Georgetown coach on what his relationship with Dan Snyder would be and got a little closer to a legit answer: "I see two people with a common vision and common objective. Our job is to make sure that everybody in the building has that same vision... his urgency and desire to win is what I was raised with." Strong words have often described Snyder's desire to win and the urgency with which he attacks every opportunity to help do so. However, his ability to do so has been hindered by his refusal to allow football people to make decisions. Bruce Allen, hopefully, signifies change in that regard. But still, Thompson wonders, "who's in charge?" Deflecting two questions about his relationship with the owner doesn't help to clarify whether he will be able to function with autonomy over the football operations' and the decision making process.
His father George Allen once said "forty men together cannot lose." Bruce Allen was preaching a similar strategy on the John Thompson show shortly after the presser this afternoon: "My goal here is to build a team on the field and off the field that has one common objective and that is to win." He has shown in the past that he is not interested in over-paid, media-loving stars; cutting Keyshawn Johnson in Tampa Bay. Should a guy like Clinton Portis be worried? He can't be happy with Vinny being gone, considering that Cerrato was the personnel director who guaranteed his contract for far longer than it should have been. Portis will still take home roughly $6 million dollars next year, regardless of whether or not he is on the roster. Allen also said that he will evaluate the game tape after the year is over, but he is "happy to have the opportunity" to have "intimate knowledge of the decision making process" over the last three games.
Allen was asked by John Thompson on the show that bears his name what he expected his relationship with the owner would be. He dodged the question entirely, instead talking about another relationship within the organization: "The head coach and the gm relationship that I've always been in takes alot of time and nurturing to make sure everyone is on the same page... constant communication." He was pressed further by the former Georgetown coach on what his relationship with Dan Snyder would be and got a little closer to a legit answer: "I see two people with a common vision and common objective. Our job is to make sure that everybody in the building has that same vision... his urgency and desire to win is what I was raised with." Strong words have often described Snyder's desire to win and the urgency with which he attacks every opportunity to help do so. However, his ability to do so has been hindered by his refusal to allow football people to make decisions. Bruce Allen, hopefully, signifies change in that regard. But still, Thompson wonders, "who's in charge?" Deflecting two questions about his relationship with the owner doesn't help to clarify whether he will be able to function with autonomy over the football operations' and the decision making process.
SYANARA CERRATO
12/17/09 @ 2:32pm by Spencer Rhoda
Christmas has come early for the loyal followers of the Washington
Redskins. On December 17 in the early morning, Vinny Cerrato resigned
as Vice President of Football Operations. Jay Glazer and Al Galdi each
broke the news separately. Taking his place will be Bruce Allen, a
familiar name within the organization. His father George Allen is
the Hall of Fame Coach, whose inspiring work helped the Redskins attain
one of the largest fan bases in professional sports. Allen has also
been given a title never owned by Cerrato-- General Manager.
