The Redskins just confirmed executive vice president Vinny Cerrato’s resignation.
In the statement released by the team, Cerrato, typically, made some notable omissions in thanking the club for his time there.
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“I’ve had the pleasure of working with some great coaches such as Joe Gibbs, Greg Blache and Sherman Lewis,” Cerrato said.
He cites the defensive coordinator and the offensive consultant but not embattled Jim Zorn, the coach he and Dan Snyder hired 23 months ago.
In the newsy part of the statement, Cerrato said that he and owner Dan Snyder “agreed that the franchise needs someone different in this position.”
Cerrato has been Snyder’s righthand man for 10 of the 11 seasons the owner has run the Redskins (save 2001 when Marty Schottenheimer forced him out). Washington has made the playoffs three times, including in 1999 with a team that was put together by Charley Casserly, Cerrato’s predecessor. The Redskins are in the midst of their fifth losing season during Cerrato’s second tenure that lasted not quite eight years.
“Of course, I am disappointed with this year’s results, but I strongly believe that with outstanding draft picks and encouraging performance by our younger players, we have laid a strong foundation for the franchise,” Cerrato said.
Snyder called his buddy “the consummate optimist” and said he “has always made decisions based on what would be the best for the team.”
— David Elfin
