Redskins Part Ways With Riddick

The Washington Redskins have released longtime football operations official Louis Riddick, according to league sources. Riddick's contract, like that of many employees in the football operations/scouting department, was set to expire this summer, and the team informed him that his deal will not be renewed, sources said.

Riddick, a former NFL defensive back, spent the last three years as pro personnel director, working directly below Vinny Cerrato, the team's executive vice president of football operations, and was in essence the organization's most important figure behind Snyder, former coach and team president Joe Gibbs and Cerrato.

Riddick was once a rising star in the organization, forging a strong bond with Cerrato and owner Daniel Snyder during seven years with the team, but his profile had cooled in the last year. During interviews with prospective head coaching candidates several involved in the process came away believing Snyder and Cerrato would be moving on without Riddick.

Shortly after Gibbs departed in January, and Cerrato was promoted to the top of the football operations staff, Cerrato promoted Scott Campbell above Riddick in the organization, marking a transition in the club's hierarchy (Campbell was promoted from director of college scouting to director of player personnel). Last week the team awarded a new contract to Eric Schaffer, the vice president of football administration, but when Riddick's contract was not renewed, executives from other teams figured he would soon be leaving.

A message left for Riddick was not immediately returned.