This morning, I awoke to news that Vinny Cerrato had resigned as VP of Football Operations with the Washington Redskins, news that immediately started turning the wheels of hope within me.
Like many in the DC area, I attribute at least some of the Redskins’ lack of success in the past 8 years to Vinny Cerrato. The Redskins were 52-65 since Daniel Snyder rehired him in 2002, and although there was at least one victory in a playoff game, Washington was never a serious Super Bowl contender. What influence does Cerrato have on the team’s notorious owner? Back in 2001, Vinny Cerrato reportedly had a discussion with then-HeadCoach Marty Schottenheimer (which likely ultimately lead to Vinny getting fired), Cerrato reportedly said that although Dan Snyder might listen to Schottenheimer during the pre-season, that once the season got rolling along, Snyder would be listening to Cerrato. Even with Vinny out of the organization, he was probably still in Snyder’s ear, as Marty was axed, and Cerrato was back – “helping” the organization setup a new roster and coaching staff.
Times have been tough lately, and now Bruce Allen is here as a potential savior to the franchise his father helped rejuvenate 4 decades ago.
After a few rough seasons in the late 60′s (which I wasn’t around for, but the records speak for themselves at a combined 10-15-3 in ’67 and ’68), George Allen showed up to help give the Redskins winning seasons from 1971 until he left following the 1977 season. The run involved plenty of playoff games, including a Super Bowl appearance (albeit ending in loss).
What has Bruce Allen done to deserve the job?
He was named NFL Executive of the Year in 2002, when he was with the Oakland Raiders, helping them win the AFC West three straight times and advance deep into the playoffs multiple times, getting to the Super Bowl in the 2002/2003 season.
While in Tampa Bay, Bruce Allen was the GM for a Buccaneers team which had winning records 3 of the 4 years he was there – with an injury-riddled 4-12 season mixed in.
Will Bruce Allen be the savior of the Washington Redskins, earning the Burgundy And Gold Faithful another trip to the Super Bowl? I don’t know, and I’m not even going to predict it. What I can predict is that the Redskins are unlikely to continue the disturbing trend of over-paying free agents to take up roster spots while under-producing as they cash fat checks. That’s the opposite of how Bruce Allen handled his business while in Tampa Bay, getting rid of Warren Sapp and John Lynch before his first season as Tampa GM even began. If I see another Adam Archuletta or Brandon Lloyd situation happen in DC, I’d be surprised if it was under Bruce Allen’s tenure.
