Mark Maske on 980 today...

[MTK]

Let's clarify this true GM thing, I think it should be the right GM. Because simply putting a GM in place isn't going to answer our problems. I think Gibbs learned some pretty painful lessons last year and they'll take a much closer look at things this offseason and perhaps make some changes that won't be visible to us. I believe if Gibbs thought bringing in a GM would solve everything he would have done it. If there's one thing he's not afraid of doing it's making any change necessary to benefit the team. I guess he doesn't see a GM as being the answer right now.

[SmootSmack]

The Lions, on paper, have the front office model a lot of people here think will solve everything. I'm just sayin'

[Bill B]

Originally Posted by TAFKAS

Mike Shanahan? For all intents and purposes Andy Reid has been (at least until this year) the Coach/GM and he at least made the Super Bowl. I'm sure there might be others.

I just think "We need a GM" is such an open-ended statement

OK - If we don't get a GM so be it. But can the Redskins get rid of Vinny Cerrato and bring in someone who has a really good track record with drafting and trades? We could keep the same title for all I care as Vinny had and just pay him more than the team he is on. Would this suffice?

[irish]

Originally Posted by Bill B

Getting Vets at Discounted prices - Vinny Cerrato are you listening/taking notes? Vinny - stop overpaying for overhyped vets and start doing what the Pats do and pick up Vets at lower prices and what happens - you most likely start winning.

For better or worse (IMO it looks for the worse) the Redskins do their shopping at Neiman Marcus. They dont even look at what the discount stores have to offer.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Bill B

OK - If we don't get a GM so be it. But can the Redskins get rid of Vinny Cerrato and bring in someone who has a really good track record with drafting and trades? We could keep the same title for all I care as Vinny had and just pay him more than the team he is on. Would this suffice?

Are you aware of what he actually does?

Why do you think removing him would make anything any better?

[TheMalcolmConnection]

If anything, HE'S not the one overpaying.

People call for GM, they call for this and call for that. How about just hiring a few decent talent evaluators?

[Bill B]

Originally Posted by TAFKAS

The Lions, on paper, have the front office model a lot of people here think will solve everything. I'm just sayin'

Tafkas - I guess what I am getting at is what I belive the Redskins should focus on is getting a player personnel person that has a really good history with drafts and trades and overpay him so his current team cannot match. If the Skins brought Millen in I, like many other fans, would be pissed. But if you brought in someone who has a great history of making good drafts and trades I know I would be a happy camper.

Now since good GMs/player personel men are hard to come by I would think almost by default you would have to change the structure of the FO - you couldn't bring in a Scott Pioli and say Gibbs would be able to override all your decisions because he is in such demand and coming from a position of power in New England. So my proposal would be at least something similar to what Gibbs and Bethard had where Bethard had control over draft picks and if Gibbs wanted a FA he could go get him (although I would say that since the cap was not in effect at the time you would propbably need to have GM approval as far as contract amounts go so we could avoid overspending)

[FRPLG]

Do you know what Vinny does? He has no decision making responsibility at all. He is the scouting coordinator and Snyder's eyes and ears. That's it. If you want a guy who is a better scout (ie: the guy who evaluates talent and gives opinions) then so be it but he doesn't make trades, conduct the draft, or make any personell decisions. He watches film and grades players. That's it.

[MTK]

I found a good article on Vinny

Cerrato's Special Working Relationship

I think he makes a great point here:

"When you're losing, no one wants to talk about getting Shawn Springs, or Cornelius Griffin or Marcus Washington. When you're losing, it becomes 'why did you take Mike Barrow or Mark Brunell?'

[Bill B]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Are you aware of what he actually does?

Why do you think removing him would make anything any better?

I can look at what they have done in the draft and I would have to think that he had at least some pull in the decision making in these drafts and I don't belive they have been too successful with their picks/trading of picks. He is the VP of player personnel so I would think that Gibbs has to rely on him for somewhat for these decsions or the Redskins are wasting a couple $100,000 on paying Vinny for nothing.

But I think a better way to jusge how bad Vinny is how the Skins did before Gibbs came back.

Case in point: What did the Skins do but sign all those overpriced aging veterans in 2000. You may say the Dan Synder had a lot to do with that, but let me ask you this - if Vinny was a good player personnel director wouldn't he have the knowledge/courage to tell Dan to not overspend like that? Vinny has even said it was a major mistake to do what they did at the time. I always thought if you made mistakes like that at most companies you get fired, but Vinny still resides at Redskins Park

[Bill B]

Here is a better way to address Vinny. Lets say you are the winning bidder on a brand new football franchise. Now you are set to start in one year - would you bring in Vinny Cerrato in any capacity on your new team? If yes please explain why.

[MTK]

Vinny was fired but was brought back. His current role is not what it was back in 2000.

Bottom line is he's a convenient scapegoat in the front office. He's basically the MB of the front office.

[Bill B]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Vinny was fired but was brought back. His current role is not what it was back in 2000.

Bottom line is he's a convenient scapegoat in the front office. He's basically the MB of the front office.

So who is the real problem in the FO? Or is it a combination of person(s) or setup?

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Bill B

Here is a better way to address Vinny. Lets say you are the winning bidder on a brand new football franchise. Now you are set to start in one year - would you bring in Vinny Cerrato in any capacity on your new team? If yes please explain why.

I'm sure he knows a helluva lot more than you or I and like he said he does have a Super Bowl ring and a National Championship on his resume. So if I was somehow going to be running a NFL franchise and Vinny was on my speed dial, I wouldn't put my knowledge level above his and not call him.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Bill B

So who is the real problem in the FO? Or is it a combination of person(s) or setup?

I think you have to start with Gibbs and look at the entire process/setup. This current setup is a very collaborative effort, I don't see how we can sit here on the outside and definitively point to the exact person or problem in the process to blame.