Meet the New Boss Vinny Cerrato

Vinny Cerrato is the Executive Vice President of Football operations for the Washington Redskins. His journey began when Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs retired and owner Daniel Snyder gave Cerrato the keys to the job.

Cerrato started his journey by not giving the head coaching job to well-respected defense coordinator Gregg Williams. Williams was the favorite to get the job and was well-liked by the fans and coach Gibbs. Cerrato and owner Daniel Snyder decided to go in a different direction and hire offensive coordinator at the time Jim Zorn. Cerrato had a different style and wanted to build the team around draft picks and not be attracted by all the big names in free agency, as the Redskins were in the past—by bringing in Jeremiah Trotter, Jesse Armstead, Mark Brunell, Adam Archuleta, Brandon Lloyd.

The only big player Cerrato brought in was Jason Taylor, and he end up being hurt and was a bust like all the other Redskins big-name free agents in the past.

Cerrato drafted two big receivers in the NFL draft—Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly. Both of those guys were where the 'Skins needed help and both were not able to produce late in the season when the 'Skins had to count on them.

The only bright spot that Cerrato had drafted was seventh-round pick Chris Horton, he emerged into a starting lineup pretty fast and made all the big plays for the 'Skins in his first season.

Cerrato was looking like a genius when the Redskins started out 6-2 and they were one of the hottest teams in the NFL. But when the Redskins struggled on offense late in the season, people started to accuse Cerrato for not drafting a good offensive line that could protect quarterback Jason Campbell.

The Redskins finished 8-8 and whispers were going around about Jim Zorn's coaching job, and that he may be fired at the end of the season. Cerrato cleared the air and said "In this building that has not even be discussed around the building. He will be back next season."

Cerrato has his hands full this offseason to acquire some more young offensive lineman and the defensive line as well.  The Redskins could surely use big physical receivers for quarterback Jason Campbell being that both his receivers are 5'10". Vinny Cerrato has his hands full this offseason to make the Redskins a contender in the National Football League.