Cerrato's Released Redskins Having Trouble Finding Homes

For a few players that are still on the roster, it does not make much sense. Why is Darrel Young who was drafted as a LB switched to a RB still on the roster? Then some of the players that were cut, i.e., Marko Mitchell, have new players at the same positions, particularly WRs.

Most of last seasons September cuts managed to find other homes and some like Mason and Aldridge ended up back with the Skins. Jeremy Bridges was picked up by the Cardinals, but Robert Thomas LB did not get picked up.

I don’t think it says anything at all about Cerrato, and is not a hit on the players. All were good enough to make the team, many were very good, and all had numerous supporters. The few who haven’t been picked up yet are mostly older players, usually with injury issues (Griff, Betts, Smoot, Thomas), and are in no way a hit on Vinny. Excluding those guys, you’re left with Montgomery, Alridge and Collins. The former had some good years, but apparently went downhill. Alridge was always marginal, never played, and apparently didn’t have anything except speed. Collins was Zorn’s boy, put ahead of Colt as a competent backup. I like him, but he was limited, and is fairly old.
       All in all, this list has nothing to say about Cerrato or Snyder. They gave the coaches a talented group of players (except for the O-line), and the coaches blew it (although devastating injuries added to the disaster). By the way, the O-line depth was severely weakened by Zorn/Bugle’s mind boggling cut of Jeremy Bridges – their only experienced and competent backup tackle – surely one of the dumbest moves in Redskin history – and nothing to do with Vinny, who brought in Bridges and Big Mike Williams.

I think you’re wrong. I don’t think that Snyder or even Cerrato had day to day operational management of the team. The Bridges cut supports my view. Bridges was Cerrato’s boy, and had a low salary, so Cerrato had no reason to cut him in favor of Joe’s beloved walk-ons and locals (By the way, I loved Joe, too, but I think he lost it a bit last year – remember how he raved about Heyer? And kept Batiste?). Cerrato probably didn’t even know most of the O-line disasters. I think Zorn controlled the roster and who played (although he might have heard something if he did certain things). Snyder just recently stated flatly that he had a more limited role than the press reported. I don’t think you can point to any specific decision dictated by Snyder. Consider Jason Campbell. That had to be Zorn sticking with him. Snyder and Cerrato knew he was lousy and tried to get somebody better. Zorn stuck with him, dumped Colt onto IR and refused to play Todd even when JC was ailing. Yes I do blame the coach (who did in fact have operational control). Yes, management did obtain the players, but then they went to Zorn. Zorn devised and ran the unimaginative offense (how could Snyder or Cerrato have possibly meddled in it? They didn’t have the knowledge or desire to interfere.) If Dan had more say it probably would have been better. Poor Zorn was clueless. Do you think Snyder would have done those trick plays in the way Zorn did?

I think Zorn could do anything he wanted to. What could Snyder or Cerrato do about it? Now, maybe Jim was influenced by what he thought Snyder wanted – sort of the “yes man” syndrome, but that was probably very rare. I just don’t think Snyder had any desire to coach the Redskins – he knows his limitations. Benching Portis was never an option, and it’s clear Snyder did not impose his view of JC. You may be thinking of a nebulous kind of “prestige” thing for Zorn, but I doubt that was a factor, considering his numerous other shortcomings. Think back to the various drafts. Snyder described the process once – basically saying most of his staff sat down and discussed all the players’ strengths and weaknesses,and together worked out a draft order – as much of a team effort as Snyder could make it. Now, as the boss, he probably carried a lot of weight, but he’d hardly ever go against the position people on a technical matter. And he’d certainly rely on Bugel and Zorn on how badly they needed an offensive lineman. In short, I think the front office got the players based on the advice of the coaches, and pretty much stayed out of it after that. I think that’s how all teams work, because there is no other way it can work. The 4-12 season was 80+% Zorn’s doing.

Wow from the memories we can win 5 games oouch. I respect everyones opinion and yes change is needed from time to time. The Skins have had some good yardage numbers in years past but scoring points have been hindered upon having someone other than Moss and Cooly catch passes with any success. They gambled on Zorn too bring the west coast offense to get it done since the defense was OK enough to be playoff caliber. I always questioned the Zorn hiring and we know the rest. With Cerrato gone maybe we can hold on to a coach long enough to get the project producing wins and management picking people in the draft that can play for this team instead of Free Agents with big paydays that hurt salary cap. Things do look better since vacation is over.