Doc Walker One-on-One Interview with Vinny Cerrato

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

- It's interesting how often Cerrato talked about how he got the players' input re: Jason Taylor and DeAngelo Hall (whether to go after them/keep them), but he didn't talk as much about getting the coaches' input.

I think its very important to Cerrato to get guys who are loved in the Locker room. Team chemistry seems to be very important to Cerrato, as it should be. Overall, i feel good about having Cerrato in control of things. Sure he's made some mistakes (in hindsight), but understanding his rationale in trading for Taylor made me feel alot better about Cerratos priorities when it comes to building a team.

I read somewhere before that Cerrato allegedly only has two years to turn things around. Barring him making some monumental screw-up in the draft, i think he's already earned himself a 3rd year.

Like it or not, Snyder is the owner of this team and probably will remain the owner for the rest of his life. Giving Snyders penchant for being a moron when it comes to the non-business side of football, and his insistance on getting involved in things he shouldnt, I think we are better off with Cerrato than we would be with almost anyone else. He has a good relationship with Snyder and if Snyder brougth someone else in, i think they would just be a puppet and we would be right back to where we were in the early 2000s. Cerrato seems to have us pointed in the right direction. this team is definitely better right now than it was a year ago, and we still have the draft ahead of us.

Originally Posted by Paintrain

First of all, great recap BHA, thanks for doing that. I think people need to begin to accept that Heyer is likely to be our starting RT on opening day. I don't get the sense that we are looking to draft a tackle, put him on the right side and then convert him to a LT down the road (Smith, Oher, etc.). If anything we're going to draft a RT or interior lineman in the 3rd round.

Also since OLB was our top priority last year and we didn't get one AND cut our starting OLB this year, what do you think the focus will be next month? He's pretty much putting it out there to expect us to go OLB at #13.

No talk about Campbell and the lack of an extension?

Campbell wasnt brought up at all, and i think Cerrato probably insisted on it. If the team is committed to Campbell, then not talking about it was a very smart move on Cerratos part. We talked about everything on the team, every position, every weakness, except quarterback, because its a no-issue to Cerrato. Campbell is our quarterback.

Also, i agree with your analysis about Heyer likely being our starting RT this year and, unless we pass on one of the big 4, i'm fine with that. Our defense was our strength last year and so far, its gotten significantly better with the addition of Haynesworth. Even if we got a stud RT in the draft, our offense would still be the teams weaker unit again this year.

I think it makes good sense to add a defensive player, so our defense can be completely dominating. By resigning Hall and getting Haynesworth, we've already assured ourselves of getting more turnovers in 2009. Looking at the teams we play this year, we're likely going to be facing alot of QBs that dont respond well to pressure. If we add a dominant pass rusher with the 13th pick, i am going to go out on a limb and predict our defense averages 2-3 turnovers and 1 defensive TD per game.

I certainly thing a defensive pass rusher will do alot more to help us score points than a rookie OT would if replacing Heyer. Heyer has improved dramatically in his two years here and i think he deserves a shot to win the starting job for good. If our 2nd year WRs and Davis step up, and Campbell can start getting rid of the ball quicker, we should be fine with Heyer at RT, as long as our defense is dominant.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

- It's interesting how often Cerrato talked about how he got the players' input re: Jason Taylor and DeAngelo Hall (whether to go after them/keep them), but he didn't talk as much about getting the coaches' input.

- Another mention of Devin Clark (strange)

- Won't draft a punter...which some of course will say means that they will

- Need to improve punt returns (seemed to indicate Dorsey has a good shot). Also, talked about Anthony Alridge (I think he has potential as a 3rd down back)

- Offering Vet Min deals only right now to free agents (as the Warpath crowd laughs in the background)

Yeah that is interesting because it seemed that Blache wasn't 100% behind the move and he really wasn't a great fit for his style of D.

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

- It's interesting how often Cerrato talked about how he got the players' input re: Jason Taylor and DeAngelo Hall (whether to go after them/keep them), but he didn't talk as much about getting the coaches' input.

See to me that sounds like "We want to get their input because it has value and I am telling you this because it is not standard practice everywhere". I assumed he didn't mention coaches because he didn't think he needed to state the obvious that they are very involved in the personel areas.

[BigHairedAristocrat]

vinny specifically mentioned the he spoke to players and coaches before getting hall. I agree, its assumed he talks to coaches prior to making any moves, whether major or minor

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

By resigning Hall and getting Haynesworth, we've already assured ourselves of getting more turnovers in 2009. Looking at the teams we play this year, we're likely going to be facing alot of QBs that dont respond well to pressure. If we add a dominant pass rusher with the 13th pick, i am going to go out on a limb and predict our defense averages 2-3 turnovers and 1 defensive TD per game.

I certainly thing a defensive pass rusher will do alot more to help us score points than a rookie OT would if replacing Heyer. Heyer has improved dramatically in his two years here and i think he deserves a shot to win the starting job for good. If our 2nd year WRs and Davis step up, and Campbell can start getting rid of the ball quicker, we should be fine with Heyer at RT, as long as our defense is dominant.

You make a really good point on how improving the defense actually improves the offense. If we generate 2 turnovers and a TD per game that would be historically good, but I see what you are saying. Adding Smith or Oher at RT isn't going to dramatically improve our offense overnight. However adding a pass rusher to Haynesworth and Hall can make our defense instantly more imposing and can lead to the turnover numbers you were talking about.

[70Chip]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

You make a really good point on how improving the defense actually improves the offense. If we generate 2 turnovers and a TD per game that would be historically good, but I see what you are saying. Adding Smith or Oher at RT isn't going to dramatically improve our offense overnight. However adding a pass rusher to Haynesworth and Hall can make our defense instantly more imposing and can lead to the turnover numbers you were talking about.

Improving the offense would also have the affect of improving the offense.

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by 70Chip

Improving the offense would also have the affect of improving the offense.

Obviously, but my point was one offensive player (RT) isn't going to instantly make the offense more potent but that additional player on defense can help in creating turnovers, improving field position and putting points on the board. A right tackle's not going to do that.

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

Like it or not, Snyder is the owner of this team and probably will remain the owner for the rest of his life. Giving Snyders penchant for being a moron when it comes to the non-business side of football, and his insistance on getting involved in things he shouldnt, I think we are better off with Cerrato than we would be with almost anyone else. He has a good relationship with Snyder and if Snyder brougth someone else in, i think they would just be a puppet and we would be right back to where we were in the early 2000s. Cerrato seems to have us pointed in the right direction. this team is definitely better right now than it was a year ago, and we still have the draft ahead of us.

I think the problem is that Snyder is a business man, and business minded people tend to apply those same concepts to areas where business practices just won't work (I see that a lot in Education).

I definitely agree that Vinny has the team in the right direction, and the comment about drafting Jarod Mayo last year is proof that many times the FO has the right plan, but circumstances get in the way. I think it is safe to say that Vinny and Zorn are making the decisions with DS' input. Once again, I'm fine with that, I'm glad we're not Dallas where Jerry Jones is owner, GM, scout, and pretty much coach.

[70Chip]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

Obviously, but my point was one offensive player (RT) isn't going to instantly make the offense more potent but that additional player on defense can help in creating turnovers, improving field position and putting points on the board. A right tackle's not going to do that.

I think that Haynesworth was the big free agent, so they signed him. Now everybody is turning him into an offensive threat because everybody knows that the offense was the problem last year. When offense is the problem you should try to fix the offense. Don't sign a defensive tackle, because he's the big splashy name and then tell me it's going to cure the offensive woes as well.

If we don't get better in the passing game, none of these other things will matter. The Redskins whole future is dependent on the emergence of Thomas, Kelly, and/or Davis as positive factors. No one can say how that turns out, so there is nothing to discuss, so we start inventing arguments. Defense is not the problem. The offensive line is not the problem (you don't like our O-LIne? Take a look at Arizona's and they went to the big game. Their LT had three holding calls and they still might have won) THE RECEIVERS and to a lesser extent the QB IS THE PROBLEM.

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by 70Chip

I think that Haynesworth was the big free agent, so they signed him. Now everybody is turning him into an offensive threat because everybody knows that the offense was the problem last year. When offense is the problem you should try to fix the offense. Don't sign a defensive tackle, because he's the big splashy name and then tell me it's going to cure the offensive woes as well.

If we don't get better in the passing game, none of these other things will matter. The Redskins whole future is dependent on the emergence of Thomas, Kelly, and/or Davis as positive factors. No one can say how that turns out, so there is nothing to discuss, so we start inventing arguments. Defense is not the problem. The offensive line is not the problem (you don't like our O-LIne? Take a look at Arizona's and they went to the big game. Their LT had three holding calls and they still might have won) THE RECEIVERS and to a lesser extent the QB IS THE PROBLEM.

Arizona had a good line compared to ours (I'm sure it's a younger line). I mean how else do you protect a statue like Warner? Plus, AZ's receiving corps is 10 times better than ours (no comparison). Their run block sucked, but their passing game made up for that deficiency.

I do agree that the offensive line must be dealt with, but let's not forget that adding Dockery was huge. I don't think there was a great offensive lineman out there in free agency (other than Jordan Gross and Jason Brown), but Dock was a big improvement. I do hope they address the offensive line in the draft, but as I said before, the guys that are currently there need to step it up as well.

I thin everyone expects the rookies to develop and contribute, and for JC to improve from last year as well. I think improving the offensive line will help, but you're right there has to be improvements in the passing game as well. I don't mind the Redskins improving their defense, other teams are improving areas where their strength lies (i.e. Giants and their 20-deep defensive line). While we had a good defense last year, it wasn't an elite defense like Baltimore's or Pittsburgh's.

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Originally Posted by 70Chip

Improving the offense would also have the affect of improving the offense.

True, but as Pain pointed out, a defense that creates more turnovers and scores more points is going to do more for our offense than upgrading Heyer/Jansen with a rookie RT.

Think of it this way, the level of performance between experienced OTs like Heyer and Jansen and a ROOKIE OT is not that huge.

However, the differnece in performance between a rookie DE or SAM taken at 13 would be a HUGE upgrade over Wynn or Blades. The left side of our defense is completely wide-open right now. Wynn is old and Blades is undersized. Teams could just run to that side all day. Upgrading one of those positions with a stud is crucial to the success of our defense in 2009. If we don't make significant strides there, then the benefits from paying Haynesworth and Hall are going to be comparatively minor.

I know i've criticized Jason Campbell alot, but one thing ive always said is that he's the kind of guy thats not going (to win or) LOSE any games for us. He is solid at managing games. History has shown us, time and again, that a team with that kind of QB and a DOMINANT, PLAYMAKING defense can be dangerous.

[70Chip]

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

Arizona had a good line compared to ours (I'm sure it's a younger line). I mean how else do you protect a statue like Warner? Plus, AZ's receiving corps is 10 times better than ours (no comparison). Their run block sucked, but their passing game made up for that deficiency.

Arizona's passing game works because of their QB and Receivers and in spite of a line that is in no respect superior to the Redskins. Warner is a statue. A statue that get's rid of the ball quickly.

Of course the Redskins would be better if Campbell had 5 seconds to throw every time, but there is not a QB in the leauge that gets that kind of protection anymore. You have to unload it because no matter who the Redskins have up front, the pressure is coming. It's the nature of the game today.

[SC Skins Fan]

Given the discussion of Mayo I went searching for info on him from last year and found this little gem.

Titans Select RB Chris Johnson With The 24th Pick - ESPN Video - ESPN

You'd think he was talking about Darren McFadden, except...

Raiders Select RB Darren McFadden With The Fourth Pick - ESPN Video - ESPN

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Originally Posted by 70Chip

Arizona's passing game works because of their QB and Receivers and in spite of a line that is in no respect superior to the Redskins. Warner is a statue. A statue that get's rid of the ball quickly.

Of course the Redskins would be better if Campbell had 5 seconds to throw every time, but there is not a QB in the leauge that gets that kind of protection anymore. You have to unload it because no matter who the Redskins have up front, the pressure is coming. It's the nature of the game today.

Theres another thread where we can talk about Campbell and i think he's been discussed to death. For 2009, he is our quarterback. With that established, it makes more sense to look at what we can do to this team to be more successful with him as our QB.

Our defense was good last year, but it wasnt dominant. didnt create many turnovers or score many (if any) points on defense. Our offense was by far the weaker unit, but our defense rarely gave our offense the ball with a short field. As a result, the pressure was always on the offense.

If we can add a stud pass rusher to our already upgraded defense, we're going to have mroe sacks, more pressures and more turnovers. The pressure will be taken off the offense. Campbell will have more opporunities to throw the ball in the red zone and now he'll have atleast TWO large targets in Cooley and Davis. If either Davis or Kelly steps up, then we can become a legitimate redzone threat. Worst case scenario, we get a field goal or two a game that we wouldnt have otherwise. Last year, we lost alot of games by that much.

More than anything else, adding an elite pass-rusher will ensure that doesnt happen again this year.

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

True, but as Pain pointed out, a defense that creates more turnovers and scores more points is going to do more for our offense than upgrading Heyer/Jansen with a rookie RT.

Think of it this way, the level of performance between experienced OTs like Heyer and Jansen and a ROOKIE OT is not that huge.

However, the differnece in performance between a rookie DE or SAM taken at 13 would be a HUGE upgrade over Wynn or Blades. The left side of our defense is completely wide-open right now. Wynn is old and Blades is undersized. Teams could just run to that side all day. Upgrading one of those positions with a stud is crucial to the success of our defense in 2009. If we don't make significant strides there, then the benefits from paying Haynesworth and Hall are going to be comparatively minor.

I know i've criticized Jason Campbell alot, but one thing ive always said is that he's the kind of guy thats not going (to win or) LOSE any games for us. He is solid at managing games. History has shown us, time and again, that a team with that kind of QB and a DOMINANT, PLAYMAKING defense can be dangerous.

The Ravens and Titans have shown us examples of this for years. Hell, the Giants won a SB with this a couple of years ago.