Before the draft last season, with the Redskins picking sixth, owner Dan Snyder delivered an order.
“I want a Pro Bowl player,” he said.
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They wound up with LaRon Landry, a future star. This year, it’s a little different.Sort of.
“I’m still saying, ‘Get us a Pro Bowl player,’ ” Snyder joked yesterday.
That’s Vinny Cerrato’s orders. And make no mistake, this is now his ballgame with Joe Gibbs gone and rookie coach Jim Zorn in place.
Maybe Cerrato can have the same luck as Capitals General Manager George McPhee, his new friend in town. They met a couple years ago when hockey went to a salary cap and McPhee wanted to learn more about how to make the cap work.
They text message frequently — Cerrato did so after the recent playoff games.
Maybe McPhee can help improve Cerrato’s draft record.
The Redskins have selected 42 players when Cerrato has been in a commanding or supporting role for seven drafts. Of those, only 15 are currently on the roster; nine project to starters (six of which were first or second-round picks). There’s a reason the franchise has only made the playoffs three times under Snyder.
Hits » When Cerrato has a high pick, he’s fared well with LaVar Arrington, Chris Samuels, Sean Taylor and LaRon Landry on his list of successes. Samuels is a perennial Pro Bowler, Taylor was headed that way before he was killed and Landry, by most accounts, will be there soon. Injuries cut short Arrington’s promising start. Also, the Redskins unearthed gems in defensive tackle Anthony Montgomery and safety Reed Doughty late in the past two drafts.
Misses » The second day. Under Cerrato, the Redskins have struggled in rounds four through seven, leaving them with little depth in several areas. The Redskins have drafted 27 players in those rounds in his seven drafts; two (Doughty and Montgomery) project to starters this season. Considering five of the Redskins nine picks this weekend are in these rounds, that has to improve. Or else the franchise won’t.
Good idea, bad idea
Good idea » Getting a player signed before the draft, as Miami did with Jake Long. Now the Dolphins have to hope he doesn’t face Vernon Gholston regularly. Gholston tore him up inNovember.
Bad idea » Quitting your day job to become a Florida Marlins ticket scalper. The 12-7 Marlins are averaging 12,852 fans since the season opener. And that’s the announced attendance.
Good idea » Putting LeBron James on Gilbert Arenas. Agent Zero Explosiveness can’t get past the physical James right now. Mike Brown is outcoaching Eddie Jordan.
Bad idea » Starting off your contract year with these stats: 0-3, 13.50 ERA. Um, sure you don’t want to re-sign now C.C. Sabathia?
Good idea » Putting Brian Billick on TV to analyze quarterbacks on draft day. Just as long as no one asks him, you know, how to then develop those quarterbacks.
Bad idea » Leaving your car on the streets of Montreal after a big hockey victory. Good to see another American tradition has crossed the border. No word whether any of the fans torching the cars attended the University of Maryland.
Good idea » Having MLB’s worst record while no one is paying attention. The Washington Nationals should thank the Capitals and Wizards for deflecting attention on their putrid play.
Bad idea » Thinking Philadelphia’s win over Detroit in Game 1 was a fluke. One scout told us before the series it would be better than people think. He loves how point guard Andre Miller is playing. And don’t forget: The Sixers are now 23-12 in their last 35 games.
Campbell going smaller this year
The mantra is repeated to many quarterbacks: stand tall in the pocket. That’s the last thing Jim Zorn will say to his quarterback, Jason Campbell.
One of the areas Zorn has worked on with Campbell, entering his fourth season, is staying low — or at least lower — in the pocket.
All he wants is for Campbell to bend his knees a little more.
“Instead of standing tall the whole time, he’ll be compressed,” Zorn said. “So instead of being [6-foot-6], he’ll be 6-5. This will give him the opportunity to move quicker than he’s done in the past. … That’s just a philosophy change.”
Zorn works with Campbell daily, tweaking his mechanics. The previous coaching staff spent all last offseason doing the same, focusing on Campbell’s footwork.
What Zorn hasn’t done is given Campbell, or anyone, the playbook yet. They’ve worked a lot on terminology, but not the plays. But Zorn is confident that Campbell and the others will be able to digest the playbook in time before camp opens in late July.
By then, Campbell will also know not to stand tall.
“I won’t say, ‘Don’t stand up so tall,’” Zorn said, “because I’ll notice and I’ll say, ‘Stay compressed.’”
Knucklehead of the week
DeShawn Stevenson » Wizards
Wizards guard DeShawn Stevenson has drawn national ridicule for calling LeBron James overrated. Stevenson has made himself look even worse with his postseason performance. In six playoff games vs. Cleveland, Stevenson has made a combined 14 of 62 field goals — 22.6 percent! — and scored 39 points. Worse, after a rare sight the other night — his made three-pointer — Stevenson ran downcourt and did his little hand in front of his face thing.This after his team had just cut the deficit to 16. Don’t talk trash when you’re getting your butt kicked. Then in practice yesterday he wore a Jay-Z T-shirt. James had compared himself to rap icon Jay-Z and Stevenson to one-hit wonder Soulja Boy. “I swear, I just wore it,” Stevenson said, playing down any hidden message. He’s just making things harder on himself.
On the record
“He’s stated without an opportunity to go to a different team and a new contract, he wasn’t going to play. I think he’s a man of his word and says he’s not going to play, so don’t play.”
— Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis on disgruntled receiver Chad Johnson.
“It takes pressure sometimes to make a diamond. In hindsight, yeah, that was my strategy. I’m going to get my Phil Jackson on and say I planned it all along.”
— Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant on whether or not his demands pushed GM Mitch Kupchak into action.
Three up
Won on two different surfaces in past three weeks
Homered in five straight games entering last night
Batting .453 with 6 HRs, 19 RBI
Three down
Down 0-2 — and headed to Utah
Knick haters »
With Isiah gone, team might improve
Um, any time you want to start hitting
