Redskins' Vinny Cerrato Resigns

Washington Redskins executive V.P. of football operations Vinny Cerrato has resigned.

The news -- and the fact that it was first reported on ESPN 980, a radio station that is owned by Redskins owner Daniel Snyder -- is the strongest sign yet that Snyder plans to completely overhaul his football team this off-season and hire a big-name general manager who will have complete control over team personnel. Cerrato has been Snyder's right-hand man in the personnel department.

Cerrato released the following statement:

"We agreed that the franchise needs someone different in this position. I'm thankful to Dan Snyder and other members of his ownership team for the opportunities I've been given over the years.

"Of course, I am disappointed with this year's results, but I strongly believe that with outstanding draft picks and encouraging performance by our younger players, we have laid a strong foundation for the franchise.

"I've had the pleasure of working with some great coaches such as Joe Gibbs, Greg Blache and Sherman Lewis, great people on the Redskins staff, and, most especially, some of the best professional football players in the world. I wish them all the best. I've also had the privilege of working for a franchise supported by the most loyal fans in the NFL."

For Cerrato not to mention Redskins coach Jim Zorn in that statement is telling; Cerrato hasn't made much of a secret of the fact that he doesn't think highly of Zorn.

So who will replace Cerrato? The big names out there include former Seahawks and Packers coach Mike Holmgren and former Steelers coach Bill Cowher, both of whom have Super Bowl rings and both of whom could likely command $10 million a year or more from Snyder.

What's unknown is how Cerrato's resignation affects Zorn. For weeks, everyone in and around the NFL has assumed that Zorn would be gone at the end of the season, but Cerrato's departure leaves open the possibility that Zorn could stay -- especially if Holmgren becomes the Redskins' general manager. Zorn and Holmgren have worked together and have a good relationship, and Holmgren likely wouldn't want to fire Zorn.

But it's too early to say right now whether Holmgren is the leading candidate to take over the Redskins. The only thing that is known is Cerrato is out.