The Redskins' New Sheriff

Fifty-nine-year-old Al Saunders is now the man in charge of the mix on offense. (Gerald Herbert - AP)

"I would love for Al to replace me," he said.

On Jan. 3, Peterson interviewed Saunders. Privately, sources said, Saunders believed the job belonged to him. He had produced the best offense in the NFL over the past five years. Green had publicly endorsed him, and Saunders had a powerful chip: Vermeil's imprimatur.

There was another consideration. Saunders had paid his dues with the team. Three years earlier, he bowed out of the running for head coaching jobs in Oakland and at the University of Nebraska -- jobs one source believed he could have had -- in a show of loyalty to both the Chiefs and Vermeil. The understanding was that when Vermeil left, Saunders would become head coach.

"He was assured to be the coach of the Chiefs," a league source said. "It was a question of loyalty. Dick must've said it a thousand times. He would become the head coach when Dick left. Al believed that."

Saunders wanted the job, but from the start, succeeding Vermeil was far from automatic. After the Saunders interview, Peterson spoke with Jim Fassel, the former New York Giants head coach and offensive coordinator in Baltimore. Over steaks at the Capital Grille in Philadelphia, he interviewed former Cleveland Browns coach Butch Davis. On the suggestion of Colts Coach Tony Dungy, he flew to Indianapolis to interview Ron Meeks, the Colts' defensive coordinator. He met San Diego offensive coordinator Cam Cameron in St. Louis and intended to fly to Denver to meet with Broncos offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak.

Meanwhile, Peterson asked New York Jets General Manager Terry Bradway if he would be willing to release Herman Edwards from his contract, a detail that LaMonte had not anticipated. Edwards, Peterson and Vermeil went back nearly 30 years to the Philadelphia Eagles. Vermeil hired Peterson as personnel director back in 1977, and Peterson signed Edwards to his first professional contract. Edwards worked with Peterson in Kansas City before being named coach of the Jets.

Three days after receiving permission to speak with Edwards, Peterson announced he had hired him, giving up a fourth-round pick as compensation.

"Al should be disappointed," Vermeil said. "When I consider that they hired me, why in the hell wouldn't they hire Al? He's got more qualifications than any coach that's been hired. If Herm hadn't been available, I think Al would've ended up in Kansas City."

On his 114-acre estate outside Philadelphia, Vermeil wasn't upset that his influence was not greater.

"I was disappointed for Al, but I understood," Vermeil said. "Carl and Herman are old friends. Carl signed Herman as a free agent in 1977. Herman worked for Carl in Kansas City. Carl deep in his heart said to himself, 'One day, Herman Edwards will be my football coach.' "

Peterson had the opportunity to hire Saunders not once, but twice.

"In no way or fashion should there be any negative connotations that he did not get the job to coach the Kansas City Chiefs," Peterson said. "I had two extraordinary opportunities to hire people I've had a longer affiliation with [Edwards] than Al Saunders. This business is one of relationships."