Vinny, The Gift That Keeps On Giving
It’s Dallas week and starting tomorrow this blog will get more positive because the Redskins are going to win this Sunday night and the Redskins are going to make the playoffs this year. That being said I’ve been researching this post for several days and it’s got a lot of interesting stuff in it and I’m never going to get the time I’ve invested in it back…so read it and thank all that is good that we don’t have Vinny any longer. That’s all. HTTR
In May of 1989 Bobby Beathard announced his retirement from the Washington Redskins just 1 month after completing his final draft as the GM of the team. A quick look at his last 18 months on the job and what kind of shape he left the team in:
The Redskins won Super Bowl XXII 42-10 in January 1988, it was the 3rd Super Bowl in 6 years the Redskins had played in under his watch.
On draft day in April of 1989 Bobby Beathard traded Mike Oliphant straight up for Earnest Byner. Oliphant rushed for 127 career yards in the NFL, Byner would go on to become one of the 70 Greatest Redskins, make 2 Pro Bowls and become the Redskins 5th leading rusher of all-time.
On draft day in April of 1989 Beathard gave up the Redskins 1st round pick as compensation for signing Wilber Marshall. Marshall would also become one of the 70 Greatest Redskins and a Pro Bowler.
On draft day in April of 1989 Beathard traded the Redskins 2nd round pick in for Gerald Riggs. Riggs would go on to become a touchdown machine for the Redskins including 2 TD’s in Super Bowl XXVI.
In January 1992 the Redskins would win Super Bowl XXVI with a majority group of players drafted and signed by Beathard (with help from Casserly).
In July of 1999 Charley Casserly “stepped aside” as GM of the Redskins so Dan Snyder could bring in his hand picked choice…Vinny Cerrato. A quick look at his last 18 months on the job and what kind of shape he left the team in:
On draft day in April of 1999, Casserly had the balls to take Mike Ditka up on his crazy idea to trade the Saints entire draft for the opportunity to draft Ricky Williams. Casserly was still able to draft future Hall of Fame cornerback Champ Bailey with the Skins 1st round pick.
In the 2nd round of the 99’ draft Casserly picked Jon Jansen. Jansen would go on to start 10 seasons at right tackle for the Redskins.
Casserly was able to parlay all the draft picks from 1999 to position the Redskins to have the 2nd and 3rd overall picks in the 2000 draft. This gift turned into future Pro Bowler LaVar Arrington and another possible Hall of Famer in Chris Samuels. Even Vinny couldn’t F that one up.
The Redskins would go on to win the NFC East in 1999 with the team that Casserly built, it’s the last time the Redskins have won the division.
Casserly was chosen by several media outlets as the NFL Executive of the Year in 1999.
In December of 2009 Vinny Cerrato resigned as GM of the Washington Redskins. A quick look at his last 18 months on the job and what kind of shape he left the team in:
In the 2008 the Redskins chose Thomas, Davis, Kelly, Rinehart and Tryon in the first 4 rounds. 2 years later Rinehart and Tryon are gone and Kelly/Thomas are barely on the team and have done nothing to date.
Only 2 players remain from the Redskins 2009 draft, Orakpo and Barnes. The 2nd round pick was traded for Jason Taylor…total debacle.
In March of 2010 new GM Bruce Allen and HC Mike Shanahan cut 10 Redskins players, nearly 20% of the roster and 10 guys that were huge contributors and starters for the Redskins 2009 squad…3 of those players are currently on NFL rosters and none of them are starters.
Cerrato left the Redskins with a 2010 roster that is picked by many to finish 6-10 or 7-9 at best this season, despite having a HC considered to be one of the best in the league. Critics say the Redskins just don’t have the players to compete this year.
Cheers and Hail
