Cerrato: Zorn Will Return Next Year

Vinny Cerrato, left, the Redskins' executive vice president of football operations, recommended that owner Daniel Snyder, middle, hire Jim Zorn as coach. (By Preston Keres -- The Washington Post)
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The Redskins have age and injury concerns along the offensive and defensive lines. Pro Bowl left tackle Chris Samuels, 31, has missed the last two games and is on season-ending injured reserve after having surgery to repair a torn triceps. Right tackle Jon Jansen, 32, the Redskins' longest-tenured player, also has sat out the last two weeks because of a sprain of the medial collateral ligament in his left knee. An ankle injury in the opener against Miami ended Jansen's 2007 season, and he missed the entire 2004 season because of a ruptured Achilles' tendon.

The offensive line's pass-protection problems could be the biggest impediment to Campbell's development. Washington used its top three draft picks in April in an effort to upgrade the receiving corps, but rookie wide receivers Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly and pass-catching tight end Fred Davis did not emerge as consistent play-makers this season.

Several wide receivers in the 2008 draft class have had big seasons, including DeSean Jackson of Philadelphia, Eddie Royal of Denver and Donnie Avery of St. Louis. Washington could have drafted each player, but Cerrato said he is not frustrated about the lack of contribution from the team's top picks "because to me, every situation is different."

"Donnie, DeSean, Eddie, they all had to come in and start." he said. "We weren't looking for anybody to come in and start, number one. And number two, I'll guarantee you none of them missed the whole training camp. Both our guys missed the whole training camp. They didn't play in any preseason games."

Kelly missed the preseason in large part because of knee problems the Redskins were aware of when they drafted him. Thomas was sidelined for part of training camp because of a hamstring injury but played in three preseason games.

All 10 of Washington's draft picks made the opening 53-man roster, but few contributed significantly, and only strong safety Chris Horton made a major impact. Ineffective punter Durant Brooks was waived in October. Guard-tackle Chad Rinehart, Washington's third-round pick, has been inactive in 13 of 15 games and has not played. Cornerback Justin Tryon, selected in the fourth round, often appeared overmatched in coverage during the preseason. He has played extensively on special teams and sparingly as a cornerback.

"The guys are developing, they're improving," Cerrato said of the rookies. "When we went into the draft, we said we weren't looking for a starter at any position. We were looking for young guys to add talent and depth that could learn, grow and develop into starters. How many guys on every team are starting as rookies? I don't know that. But they're all showing promise, progress [and] what we saw in them in the draft.

"Devin is playing faster, more confident and more consistent. Devin is feeling comfortable now. I think he'll get nothing but better. I think Fred Davis shows flashes of what he can do. I think he'll be an outstanding player. Malcolm, I think in [training camp] we saw what he can do. He just needs to get a hundred percent healthy and be ready to go. I think everybody will like what they see there."

No longer in the hunt for an NFC wild-card berth, the Redskins could use their final game as an audition for next season, giving rookies such as Rinehart and Tryon playing time with the first team. But with the opportunity to finish with consecutive victories, "we're looking to win the game," Cerrato said. Rinehart "hasn't played yet. It makes no sense to do that. How's that fair to [starting left guard] Pete Kendall? We're not into evaluating, we're into winning the last two games in a row."

As Cerrato completes his first season in charge of Washington's football operations, he said he has learned a lot from Snyder about the business side of the franchise and remains focused on bringing another Super Bowl championship to the Redskins. "To me, success is always about wins and losses," Cerrato said. "If we didn't get to the playoffs and win a Super Bowl, I have to do more. There's a lot for me to do."