February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

Good read:

Vinny Cerrato joined Redskins radio for the full hour on Friday and was very open and candid about the decision behind hiring Jim Zorn as the team's new head coach as well as giving a sense of the direction the team will take in rebuilding the roster during the off-season..

First on Zorn: There was some assertions that Zorn was close friends with Vinny and therefore led to his promotion as the head coach from offensive coordinator.. Cerrato says that is untrue, that the first in depth conversation he had with Zorn came when he was here to interview for the offensive coordinator position..

Link: [url=http://coveringtheredskins.blogspot.com/2008/02/february-16-cerrato-sheds-light-on-off.html]Covering The Redskins: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins[/url]

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

[I]Cerrato says the team and Zorn have both talked to free agent QB Todd Collins, the Redskins are hoping to re-sign him to be the back-up at the very least..

[/I]I thought that was the most interesting comment in the interview summary.

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

i listened to the interview and cerrato basicallly alluded to the redskins not being very interested in many free agents this year due to a poor class and them getting over-paid. he said trades were more likely and building through the draft was important.

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

[QUOTE=Oakland Red;423099][I]Cerrato says the team and Zorn have both talked to free agent QB Todd Collins, the Redskins are hoping to re-sign him to be the back-up at the very least..

[/I]I thought that was the most interesting comment in the interview summary.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, that was really interesting

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

so much for the lavar in 08 campain.

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

oh he's comin back... he told me about zorn being hired last year.

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

[quote=canthetuna;423103]i listened to the interview and cerrato basicallly alluded to the redskins not being very interested in many free agents this year due to a poor class and them getting over-paid. he said trades were more likely and building through the draft was important.[/quote]

Kinda hard to believe that Cerrato said that, with he and Danny Boys record of High-Priced FA's.

Nice to hear and I REALLY hope he means that.

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

[quote=wolfeskins;423111]so much for the lavar in 08 campain.[/quote]

At least all the lavar comeback talk can die a slow death....maybe, probably not.

I also heard the interview on Redskin radio. The interest in Collins is not surprising to me at all, the guy played great for us down the stretch last season and IMO was probably the single handed biggest reason we got on a run and made it into the playoffs. Don't want to break the bank on the guy, but he's a heck of a #2 to have. I think we found out just how important it is to have solid, smart QB for a backup last season when JC went down.

Looks like Mark's days are finally over and a possible run at Trent Dilfer for the #3 QB might be in order.

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

Man I can listen to VC talk but to watch him is to experience the feeling that his eyes might jump out of his head through the screen and eat me. Them some bigs eyes.

I am glad to hear they are at least paying lip service to caution and responsibility.

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

they said in gibbs's resignation that they wanted to keep continuity. what makes you beleive this?

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

[quote=FRPLG;423133][B]Man I can listen to VC talk but to watch him is to experience the feeling that his eyes might jump out of his head through the screen and eat me. Them some bigs ey[/B]es.

I am glad to hear they are at least paying lip service to caution and responsibility.[/quote]

Wow. Well, that's at least 1 other person who thinks the same way I do. I'm always wary of VC. When he's on TV sometimes, I get the feeling that he just did a fat bag of blow right before coming on.

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

Heard the joke about how you tell if a politician is lying? Are his lips still moving?


Cousin Vinnie reminds me of that!

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

[quote=backrow;423143]Heard the joke about how you tell if a politician is lying? Are his lips still moving?


Cousin Vinnie reminds me of that![/quote]

HAHAHA! Nice.....lol @ [I]My Cousin Vinny


[/I]<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1q7mjoxHzm4&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1q7mjoxHzm4&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

Wtf....damn clip....

[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q7mjoxHzm4]YouTube - Funny court scene from My cousin Vinny[/url]

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

I think the article was a great find and the best part of it is that I didn't have to listen to the interview.

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

[quote=beau_str;423136]they said in gibbs's resignation that [B]they wanted to keep continuity[/B]. what makes you beleive this?[/quote]

This is what kills me about our fans. The offense has been pretty much unproductive for the last 2 or 3 years but we still want to keep everything continuous.

I think that when the ,ever mentioned, "continuity" statement was stated the FO was speaking of the player personnel and to NOT get into a lot of free agent and trade scenarios but we put it in our minds that EVERYTHING, whether it would be good or bad for the program, would remain in place.

This would be crazy to do.

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

What I like about this article is VC's interest in acquiring another FB to help with blocking. I think that'd be a wise move. Big Mike is a playmaker, but he doesn't always clear the way for Clinton Portis or keep Jason Campbell off his back. Also, Cooley was used a lot in pass protection (ineffectively) last year with all the injuries to the OL. Having a quality blocking FB could've kept Cooley running routes where he's most productive.

Hopefully, Vinny's been studying game film of WV's Owen Schmitt. He's going to be a stud FB in the league for years. He'll be a huge steal in the 4th round and a key piece to the return of our dominant running game.

[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbwbWOJM-bM"]YouTube - WVU football - Owen Schmitt vs. UL[/URL]
[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7IQf1rJf-8]YouTube - Owen Schmitt Screen Pass[/url]
[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TUKrH197eE]YouTube - The Runaway Beertruck[/url]
[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHrrrNvpTkg]YouTube - Owen Schmitt beats self with helmet[/url]

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

The article says we have a full compliment of draft picks this year; that is incorrect, right? I thought we were missing our third.

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

[QUOTE=djnemo65;423447]The article says we have a full compliment of draft picks this year; that is incorrect, right? I thought we were missing our third.[/QUOTE]

Missing our 4th. In the actual interview VC says we have picks in 6 of 7 rounds

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

The interview also seems to show that Viinny and DS are going to start relying more on the draft and only adding FA's that make almost too much sense (a la London Fletcher and Fred Smoot). On top of that the Skins are still willing to spend so I'm all for it. Especially considering we have a core group that expects to win.

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

He talked about going after guys the coaches already have a history with, which sounds a lot like "We're going after Lance Briggs and DJ Hackett"

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

[quote=SmootSmack;423453]He talked about going after guys the coaches already have a history with, which sounds a lot like "We're going after Lance Briggs and DJ Hackett"[/quote]

HACKET? Don't talk about HACKET? You kidding me? Hacket?
[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWi1-AgA5g4]YouTube - jim mora remix[/url]

Oh well, the guy seems to have good size and knows "Zorn's" offense but I'd like to see a Recieving core with ARE, Moss, Cooley, Caldwell, Chad Johnson or Devin Thomas or Jordy Nelson, and yes even Anthony Mix.

But did Briggs play when Blache was in Cha town?

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

[QUOTE=Dirtbag359;423474]HACKET? Don't talk about HACKET? You kidding me? Hacket?
[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWi1-AgA5g4]YouTube - jim mora remix[/url]

Oh well, the guy seems to have good size and knows "Zorn's" offense but I'd like to see a Recieving core with ARE, Moss, Cooley, Caldwell, Chad Johnson or Devin Thomas or Jordy Nelson, and yes even Anthony Mix.

But did Briggs play when Blache was in Cha town?[/QUOTE]

For one or two years, yes

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

[QUOTE=beau_str;423136]they said in gibbs's resignation that they wanted to keep continuity. what makes you beleive this?[/QUOTE]


That word "CONTINUITY" seems to somehow creap into so many topics of discussion. It only bacame prominantely used when GW wasn't promoted to the HC position. Just because that didn't happen does not mean the concept of "continuity" was not embraced. We hired a grand total of five new coaches, with the majority of the infrastructure remaining the same.

It shouldn't surprise anyone that when Gibbs resigned, at least three coaches were going to be replaced, QB's, OC, and HC. Looking at what they have done, I would say "Continuity" has been maintained to the best it could have been under the circumstances.

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

[quote=SmootSmack;423453]He talked about going after guys the coaches already have a history with, which sounds a lot like "We're going after Lance Briggs and DJ Hackett"[/quote]That would end up being a very impressive offseason haul.

Not sure where we are going to get the money though. If we aren't going to cut Springs, and we aren't going to cut Daniels, and we aren't going to cut Kendall, then we aren't going to be able to be players in free agency.

I mean, Lloyd is already on his way out, probably a post June-1 designation (I don't see how else they are planning on doing this). I'm sure Portis and Samuels are both going to restructure, and Brunell isn't coming back under his current deal, so that leaves something like 4 million dollars under the cap to work with. Yeah we could probably fit both of them in that tight space with backloaded deals, but then you have no spare room, and inevitable cuts coming to fit the rooks under.

At least doing it that way, we have time for the draft to determine who stays and who goes, but it really gives us no flexibility regarding who of our own players we can retain (T. Collins, R. Cartwright).

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

[QUOTE=canthetuna;423103]i listened to the interview and cerrato basicallly alluded to the redskins not being very interested in many free agents this year due to a poor class and them getting over-paid. he said trades were more likely and building through the draft was important.[/QUOTE]

I just hope they are responsible with their trades. Granted that it's nice that they are not going free agency crazy, but I hope they don't go trade crazy and give this year's or any future picks away.

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

Anyone else suprised VC said they are more interested in DT than DE for pass rush?

Does that mean they are going for a tackle vs an end?

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

[QUOTE=skinsnut;423574]Anyone else suprised VC said they are more interested in DT than DE for pass rush?

Does that mean they are going for a tackle vs an end?[/QUOTE]

Yes, DT is more of a priority.. Getting 21 sacks off the edge (between Carter, Washington and Wilson) is pretty solid, but we need more pressure up the middle.. That also opens lanes for blitzing LB and safeties.. I don't know how many times we sent 7-8 people just to have them stymied at the line of scrimmage because a G could block the DT and still chip the blitzer..

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

[QUOTE=Paintrain;423584]Yes, DT is more of a priority.. Getting 21 sacks off the edge (between Carter, Washington and Wilson) is pretty solid, but we need more pressure up the middle.. That also opens lanes for blitzing LB and safeties.. I don't know how many times we sent 7-8 people just to have them stymied at the line of scrimmage because a G could block the DT and still chip the blitzer..[/QUOTE]

I completely agree. I think Montgomery is solid, but Griff seems to be slowing down.

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

[QUOTE=Cowell;423585]I completely agree. I think Montgomery is solid, but Griff seems to be slowing down.[/QUOTE]

But so is Phillip Daniels. That seems to be a lot of faith they're putting in Chris Wilson, who I think did a great job as a situational pass rusher last year but that's really all he is.

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

Interesting.

This shift from DE to DT as a more pressing need is a new phenomenon sparked by this article.

I wonder if we will see a shift in Warpath users opinions as well.

As of now, many mock drafts have us picking up a DE....not a DT.

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

Vinny did not look very thrilled to be in the studio for this interview, but I like how he admitted that Archuletta and Lloyd were major mistakes! HAIL LANDRY and NOVIS!

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

[quote=SmootSmack;423586]But so is Phillip Daniels. That seems to be a lot of faith they're putting in Chris Wilson, who I think did a great job as a situational pass rusher last year but that's really all he is.[/quote]Yeah, but it's 9 1/2 times easier to find a DE with some pass rushing skill and some meat on him to replace PD than it is to find a pass rushing focused DT who has the explosiveness to phase out Griffin.

We could easily solve both issues in the same offseason, but the majority of resources would be spent finding the DT. If we signed your boy Justin Smith to play LE...problem solved. There's just no one on the free agent market that combines the explosiveness and youth that we need to replace Griffin in the long term. Rod Coleman works for one season, but then he's in the same boat as Griff.

And yes, I just pulled the 9.5 figure out of thin air.

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

My favorite part was when they said that we have a full stock of draft picks. I think the last time that we had all of our picks was in the early to mid 90's.

A full slew of draft picks mean that we can seriously begin building via the draft.

I have to update my mock draft now...Woo Hoo!!!

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

[QUOTE=SkinsFanSince91;423759]My favorite part was when they said that we have a full stock of draft picks. I think the last time that we had all of our picks was in the early to mid 90's.

A full slew of draft picks mean that we can seriously begin building via the draft.

I have to update my mock draft now...Woo Hoo!!![/QUOTE]

The blog is wrong though. We don't have all picks. We have picks in all rounds except in the 4th round

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

Damn it Gina!

Anyways, I would have wanted to take Owen Schmitt, FB, West Virginia.

Versatile FB who loves playing football, fullback, and cracking heads as a lead blocker.

Oh well

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

[quote=SmootSmack;423760]The blog is wrong though. We don't have all picks. We have picks in all rounds except in the 4th round[/quote]There's a lot of conflicting information on this one, but I distinctly remember the Duckett trade being only (only!) a third rounder.

I guess we'll have to wait for the league to release the official full 7 round draft order before we know absolutely for sure.

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

[quote=GTripp0012;423660] There's just no one on the free agent market that combines the explosiveness and youth that we need to replace Griffin in the long term. Rod Coleman works for one season, but then he's in the same boat as Griff.

How about Corey Williams from Green Bay? He's a beast and is young

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

[QUOTE=GTripp0012;423762]There's a lot of conflicting information on this one, but I distinctly remember the Duckett trade being only (only!) a third rounder.

I guess we'll have to wait for the league to release the official full 7 round draft order before we know absolutely for sure.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE]The team does not have a fourth-round pick as a result of the trade for T.J. Duckett in 2006.[/QUOTE]

[url=http://www.redskins.com/news/draftCentralDetail.jsp?id=33961]Redskins Pick 21st In First Round of Draft[/url]

Re: February 16-- Cerrato sheds light on off-season direction for Skins
 

[quote=SmootSmack;423765][URL="http://www.redskins.com/news/draftCentralDetail.jsp?id=33961"]Redskins Pick 21st In First Round of Draft[/URL][/quote]Fair enough, that's about as conclusive of a source as any. Looks like my memory has failed me here.