Skins’ instability starts at the top

Almost everyone has an idea on how to fix the Washington Redskins, and many begin with firing Vinny Cerrato and hiring a "real" general manager.

That idea misses the point.

Cerrato, the executive vice president of football operations, is not the problem. Replacing him with a "real" general manager will not solve anything.

The problem is that team owner Dan Snyder runs a hands-on operation, and even after 11 years in the NFL, he still does not have a handle on how to produce a consistent winner.

Since Snyder took control of the team in the summer of 1999:

• The Redskins have had six coaches and made three playoff appearances with two playoff wins.

• He has hired consultants on four occasions to evaluate various aspects of the team.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had just three coaches since 1969. They have won six Super Bowls in that span, two in the past four seasons. seasons.

The New England Patriots have had one coach, Bill Belichick, since 2000. The Patriots endured a 5-11 record in 2000 and since have won six AFC East titles, appeared in four Super Bowls and won three.

It is not necessary to consult the Oracle at Delphi to learn the secret of winning in the NFL.

An owner must find a coach he believes in, stick with him through the lean times, provide the best personnel possible and get out of the way.

Snyder has found one coach he believes in -- Joe Gibbs.

Gibbs was allowed to fail twice, 6-10 in 2004 and 5-11 in 2006. Both times, he took the team to the playoffs the next season.

Patience and planning do have their rewards.

Jim Zorn was hired to replace Gibbs, and every indication is that Zorn is on his way out. His 8-8 record last year was disappointing for how it transpired, a 6-2 start followed by a 2-6 finish.

The Redskins are 2-4 this season, a record exacerbated by an impotent offense.

Snyder and Cerrato hired a consultant, Sherm Lewis, to evaluate Zorn's offense.

Lewis was a proven NFL assistant coach. But he retired after the 2004 season and has spent his time since calling Bingo games and serving as a Meals on Wheels delivery volunteer.

Lewis will call the Redskins' plays Monday night against Philadelphia.

Lewis' volunteer work is admirable. The idea that he should call plays after observing the Redskins for three weeks is absurd. And it was not Zorn's idea. Zorn considered resigning, and he should have done so.

Gibbs' offense struggled at times as well. He would not have stood for meddling from a consultant.

The problem for Snyder is that Gibbs is not coming back. He has found a better football job -- coaching his grandsons in sandlot leagues in Charlotte.

Snyder can try to hire a big-name coach for 2010 -- Mike Holmgren, Bill Cowher, Mike Shanahan or Jon Gruden.

He's not going to get one of them if it is apparent Snyder intends to be the de facto general manager.

The solution for the Redskins is not to fire Vinny Cerrato or hire a "real" GM.

Until the Redskins have a new owner, or until Snyder adopts a new attitude, fixing the Redskins is a more daunting challenge than the 12 labors of Hercules.
Contact Paul Woody at (804) 649-6444 or . Follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/World_of_Woody