Owner Dan Snyder’s belief that the Washington Redskins don’t need a general manager based on “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” makes me want to wretch.
Give the man credit,he’s never short on confidence — just a little low on reality.
Seriously, the prospect of Snyder and vice president of whatever Vinny Cerrato once again managing the draft, free agency and salary cap sans a coach with major pull is the next sign of an apocalyptic breakdown of a team good enough to make the playoffs. Whenever a past coach was strong enough to pull up the nose on this perpetual roller coaster, Snyder and Cerrato conspired to spiral it back to the black hole it seemingly cannot escape.
Excuse me while I shiver over the prospect of Snyder trading his picks for aging veterans once more. Or burning another hole in the salary cap already $21 million over next season. Maybe he can even trade picks for a bust like receiver Brandon Lloyd. The list of mistakes has become too long to repeat.
Just when this team escapes mediocrity, they pull it back in.
To be fair, free agency has been largely better in recent years versus the reckless spending of 2000-03. They did a good job finding reserves who came through last season. The Redskins’ recent drafts have been productive for the few selections they’ve kept. Ten picks from the last four drafts are with the team plus slain safety Sean Taylor. Snyder and Co. found some gems beyond the first round. Chris Cooley was a great third-rounder. Anthony Montgomery, Reed Doughty and Kedric Golston in the fifth and sixth rounds of 2006 was the best second-day stretch they’ve managed. H.B. Blades in the sixth last year is promising.
Some of the credit goes to former coach Joe Gibbs bolstering the scouting staff. Some goes to the coaching staff’s input and a little falls to Snyder.
But what will Snyder and Cerrato do now that Gibbs doesn’t hold clout in the war room? Do they show patience and not overspend or waste picks moving up in the draft? Do they return to the compulsion of early offseasons when breaking payroll records while getting the worst victories versus dollars spent return in the NFL?
Will the new coach enthusiastically let them mortgage the franchise once more like Steve Spurrier unwittingly did? If the new guy isn’t assistant head coach Gregg Williams, the incoming coach won’t know the long-term ramifications nor will he care because it’s either win now or get fired.
It’s maddening when a superb GM like former Tennessee boss Floyd Reese is available and Snyder and Cerrato are making the picks. Reese barely missed on even late-round choices while the Redskins are grateful when their first-rounders aren’t busts. There are many sharp young execs who could help this team. Snyder needs to take a chance and hire one.
Saying the front office “ain’t broke” shows no creativity. Then again, why should we expect otherwise?
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
