Skins to clean house?

[akhhorus]

From PFT:

'SKINS TO CLEAN HOUSE AFTER THE DRAFT?

There's talk in league circles that the Washington Redskins will clean out the personnel department following the 2007 draft.

It's presently unclear whether V.P. of football operations Vinny Cerrato would be caught up in the rumored purge. Cerrato was fired by the team during the failed Marty Schottenheimer experiment, and re-hired after Marty was Schott-canned.

hmmmm

[redskin_rich]

Would love it if it's true but why would they wait until after free agency and the draft? And who are these "league circles" that are privy to this info?

[Lavar703]

From PFT:



hmmmm

I dont really know what to think about this AKH, i still cant figure out why Vinny is still here to begin with. Is Vinny now the fall guy for all the things that have gone wrong with this team, I mean Gibbs has to be held accountable for something. Dont get me wrong though, I would never be in favor of fireing the great Joe Gibbs, but this does seem a little odd. I really dont understand the point of this, what are they trying to prove?

[Slobberknocker]

IMHO,this is Danny's reaction to: "We draft 6th and we're only getting -- wha?" I'm guessing it's a shift away from trading away the farm, the plough and the horse for what's behind Door #3. About darn time.

But if they clean out our cap guy, he'll be out of work for a nano second. That would be dumber than not having a #2 or #3 pick. Of going after a safety that can't cover. Of picking up another running back when you've got 12, and then not using him.

Oh, I've gotta stop! :cry:

[BandWagon]

Eric Schaffer is a genius. He would have to stay. Imagine what he could do with the cap if we didn't over pay all the time.

[CNYSkinFan]

Isn't that like firing the cook after the meal is done? The food will still taste like crap.

[Lavar703]

Eric Schaffer is a genius. He would have to stay. Imagine what he could do with the cap if we didn't over pay all the time.

exactly, what would be the point of letting go a guy that seems to keep us out of cap hell year after year?

[smoak]

Yeah I knew people would line up to complain about this one.... The Skins are damned if they do and damned if they don't. If they fired people last month then we'd have a whole new staff with a month to go before the draft. :rolleyes:

Man I think we all need hobbies during the offseason. I personally always thought models looked like fun.

[NCskinsfanatic]

Isn't that like firing the cook after the meal is done? The food will still taste like crap.
True that especially if you still have to pay for the meal when the check comes...I'm not sure , chalk it up to nothing else to stir up for now but Gibbs couldv'e said that this is his last season as coach and he wants to assume a GM role afterwards...I mean Like I know :lol1:

[BandWagon]

I think there would be some logic if true. After the draft seems counter intuitive, but really how much time did they really have to get a new FO AND prepare an offseason strategy? It's probably more effective to get through it and then shake things up...so the new folks have an entire year to develop their program.

[redskin_rich]

Yeah I knew people would line up to complain about this one.... The Skins are damned if they do and damned if they don't. If they fired people last month then we'd have a whole new staff with a month to go before the draft. :rolleyes:

Man I think we all need hobbies during the offseason. I personally always thought models looked like fun.
I liked building models as a kid but than I liked smashing them and setting them on fire when I finished them even better. Hmmmm...

[akhhorus]

I think if the plan to fire Cerrato and a couple other guys, then there's no problem with waiting until after the draft. If you're going to totally clean house, then it makes little sense.

[CarMike]

Yeah I knew people would line up to complain about this one.... The Skins are damned if they do and damned if they don't. If they fired people last month then we'd have a whole new staff with a month to go before the draft. :rolleyes:

Man I think we all need hobbies during the offseason. I personally always thought models looked like fun.
Well said smoak! Couldn't agree more with you bro!

Damned if you do. Damned if you don't.

[BandWagon]

how would someone get this information anyway? I would think Danny and maybe Gibbs would be the only ones to know. So how would the word sneak out? Oh wait...that's right. On Tuesdays WWD goes in there and I bet he overheard it in the lunch room.

[smoak]

I liked building models as a kid but than I liked smashing them and setting them on fire when I finished them even better. Hmmmm...

I was thinking models as in Adriana Lima.... But destroying and blowing stuff up isn't a bad alternative. :D

[MWballer]

I like the idea maybe this means we finally get the GM we've all been clamoring for. As everyone said tho the capologist deserves a raise for what he's been able to do

[shally]

From PFT:



hmmmm

why the hell after the draft.. can cerrato NOW

[shally]

I like the idea maybe this means we finally get the GM we've all been clamoring for. As everyone said tho the capologist deserves a raise for what he's been able to do

you anticipated my next thoughts.. only if a GM is coming.. and only if they keep shaeffer

[hail2skins]

If true, I guess the timing would be based on the fact that these folks have been studying players for awhile and they couldn't do it at a certain time. Also, it gave Gibbs time to evaluate everone. Once free agency and the draft is over, they can start fresh with new personnel. That's my guess anyway. The cap guy should stay but everyone else including Vinny can go. However, I don't see Vinny going. They'll come up with a title for him.

[akhhorus]

If true, I guess the timing would be based on the fact that these folks have been studying players for awhile and they couldn't do it at a certain time. Also, it gave Gibbs time to evaluate everone. Once free agency and the draft is over, they can start fresh with new personnel. That's my guess anyway. The cap guy should stay but everyone else including Vinny can go. However, I don't see Vinny going. They'll come up with a title for him.

Be careful, he might be in the drum line next to you guys before you know it lmao.

[shally]

If true, I guess the timing would be based on the fact that these folks have been studying players for awhile and they couldn't do it at a certain time. Also, it gave Gibbs time to evaluate everone. Once free agency and the draft is over, they can start fresh with new personnel. That's my guess anyway. The cap guy should stay but everyone else including Vinny can go. However, I don't see Vinny going. They'll come up with a title for him.

they will need some kind of surgeon to remove vinnie from snyder's anatomy

[danny's stogie]

Isn't that like firing the cook after the meal is done? The food will still taste like crap.

You just hope the cook doesn't get his hands on the food before it actually gets served. If they do you never know what ingredients you might consume.

[hogs86]

I liked building models as a kid but than I liked smashing them and setting them on fire when I finished them even better. Hmmmm...


I thought i was the only kid that did that.:rolleyes:

[hogs86]

This is the article from PFT.

'SKINS TO CLEAN HOUSE AFTER THE DRAFT?

There's talk in league circles that the Washington Redskins will clean out the personnel department following the 2007 draft.

It's presently unclear whether V.P. of football operations Vinny Cerrato would be caught up in the rumored purge. Cerrato was fired by the team during the failed Marty Schottenheimer experiment, and re-hired after Marty was Schott-canned.

Per the 2006 NFL Record & Fact Book, the front office also includes director of pro personnel Louis Riddick, director of college scouting Scott Campbell, pro scouts Terry Ray and Donnie Warren, college scouts Mike Faulkiner, Tim Gribble, Shemy Schembechler, and Jim Zeches, national scouts Russ Bolinger and Joel Patten, and director of football administrtion Eric Schaffer.

[shally]

This is the article from PFT.

'SKINS TO CLEAN HOUSE AFTER THE DRAFT?

There's talk in league circles that the Washington Redskins will clean out the personnel department following the 2007 draft.

It's presently unclear whether V.P. of football operations Vinny Cerrato would be caught up in the rumored purge. Cerrato was fired by the team during the failed Marty Schottenheimer experiment, and re-hired after Marty was Schott-canned.

Per the 2006 NFL Record & Fact Book, the front office also includes director of pro personnel Louis Riddick, director of college scouting Scott Campbell, pro scouts Terry Ray and Donnie Warren, college scouts Mike Faulkiner, Tim Gribble, Shemy Schembechler, and Jim Zeches, national scouts Russ Bolinger and Joel Patten, and director of football administrtion Eric Schaffer.

no way gibbs allows warren to be canned.. one of his all time favorite players and high character guys

[hail2skins]

Be careful, he might be in the drum line next to you guys before you know it lmao.We have high standards. We're not worried.

[skinswin]

If they don't bring in a real GM, it won't matter. Gibbs/Cerrato/Snyder stink at draft manueverings and overall talent evaluations.

[danny's stogie]

If they don't bring in a real GM, it won't matter. Gibbs/Cerrato/Snyder stink at draft manueverings and overall talent evaluations.

I hope the Skins sign a real GM like Accorsi so that they can trade 3 pro bowlers for Eli Manning. Or Casserly so that they can pass on Reggie Bush for Mario Williams.

[akhhorus]

I hope the Skins sign a real GM like Accorsi so that they can trade 3 pro bowlers for Eli Manning. Or Casserly so that they can pass on Reggie Bush for Mario Williams.

C'mon DS, there's too many facts in that post.

[Red Bear]

I hope the Skins sign a real GM like Accorsi so that they can trade 3 pro bowlers for Eli Manning. Or Casserly so that they can pass on Reggie Bush for Mario Williams.

what about Floyd Reese formerly of the Titans?

Oh wait, that would be drafting rainman jones

[akhhorus]

what about Floyd Reese formerly of the Titans?

Oh wait, that would be drafting rainman jones

Or the Atlanta GM who dealt-basically-Drew Brees and Tomlinson for Ron Mexico. Or the 3 stooges who drafted for Cleveland all these years?

[danny's stogie]

what about Floyd Reese formerly of the Titans?

Oh wait, that would be drafting rainman jones

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/6720/liljohnsoundboardqe0.jpg

[BIGSEF3]

i think this is a sign were getting a GM.

[danny's stogie]

i think this is a sign were getting a GM.

Don't you mean a "real" GM?

[bergiemoore]

Why would you wait until after the start of free agency and the draft to make this change? This kind of move makes more sense to have happen right after the end of an abysmal season.

[shally]

i think this is a sign were getting a GM.

i will believe it when it actually happens

[BIGSEF3]

i will believe it when it actually happens

personally i think vinny is the only reason we dont have one. gibbs is too much of a nice guy and he knows if we had a GM there really wouldnt be a reason for vinny to exist.

[LadyNRedskinsfan]

id like to know how this talk got out?

[greatest2]

id like to know how this talk got out?

who is the leak!????!!!

thats who needs to be clened out


I kinda like our scouting crew, and yea im goin to hear it. I mean, they did find cooley, rocky might do well, betts, campbell, marcus.

then again, carlos (as of right now). but i think he will turn the corner


i firmly believe that Arch was GW's call and his call alone, and i believe llyod and randle el was the coachs not the personal department (if i remember correctly there was an article saying that saunders really wanted randle el)

anyway, i think our scouting is good, but when you don't have draft picks its hard. I love our capmanager, and he should definitly stay.

[joethefan]

i think this is a sign were getting a GM.

you must mean a car that says General motors right.....

Remember I said i'm sitting in my chair...well I'm still sitting, but I'm leaning up now.....but i haven't moved to the edge yet...

[joethefan]

Why would you wait until after the start of free agency and the draft to make this change? This kind of move makes more sense to have happen right after the end of an abysmal season.


ye you would think so...but remember this is the redskins, and we don't actually do things like other normal teams...we like exploring the possibilites first and then when they all wash out we come back home...hmmm reminds me of the prodical son...LOL

[shally]

ye you would think so...but remember this is the redskins, and we don't actually do things like other normal teams...we like exploring the possibilites first and then when they all wash out we come back home...hmmm reminds me of the prodical son...LOL

then again, might not really have enough time to do a good job of scouting and preparation between the end of the year and now..

[BurgundyNGold]

Yeah I knew people would line up to complain about this one.... The Skins are damned if they do and damned if they don't. If they fired people last month then we'd have a whole new staff with a month to go before the draft. :rolleyes:

Man I think we all need hobbies during the offseason. I personally always thought models looked like fun.
I agree. If you're going to can someone, better to do it after the draft. Doing it before the draft would likely just lead to a poor draft by an underprepared replacement.

[American Soldier]

Yeah I knew people would line up to complain about this one.... The Skins are damned if they do and damned if they don't. If they fired people last month then we'd have a whole new staff with a month to go before the draft. :rolleyes:

Man I think we all need hobbies during the offseason. I personally always thought models looked like fun.

True.

I think some of them are too skinny. However my girlfriend could be an excellent model.


Oh you mean model cars?

My bad. Got my mind in the wrong place.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

True.

I think some of them are too skinny. However my girlfriend could be an excellent model.


Oh you mean model cars?

My bad. Got my mind in the wrong place.
No. Your mind is definitely in the right place.

[MONK_in_HOF]

id like to know how this talk got out?

That is what concerns me as well. If there is any substance to these rumors, then it wouldn't be the first time that information has leaked from Redskins Park. While I would really like for a GM to enter and change our philosophy regarding personnel, I don't want to see any more leaked stories come to fruition.

Also just to play devil's advocate, even though replacing a FO at this time of year would be difficult and have many downsides, but.... Would it be better to carry on with a FO full of employees, who if they believe the rumors, would feel like lame duck employees and thus most likely not having the best interests of the Redskins as their priority?

[redskin_rich]

Also just to play devil's advocate, even though replacing a FO at this time of year would be difficult and have many downsides, but.... Would it be better to carry on with a FO full of employees, who if they believe the rumors, would feel like lame duck employees and thus most likely not having the best interests of the Redskins as their priority?
No and it's not like this decision (if true) was just made last week. This could have been handled at the beginning of January with enough time to get some new people in place. Especially if it is mainly Vinny getting the axe. They could fire him right now, without hurting anything.

[SkinsfaninNJ]

No and it's not like this decision (if true) was just made last week. This could have been handled at the beginning of January with enough time to get some new people in place. Especially if it is mainly Vinny getting the axe. They could fire him right now, without hurting anything.
I guess it depends on the timing of the decision and the reasoning. For example, Houston held on to Caserly until after the draft because he was far into draft prep. Besides, assuming this decision was made in lets say middle January or later, Vinny and the scouting dept. has really done most of its job by then. The Wash Post article from November shed a lot of light on this subject.

All Vinny and his guys do is assemble film and provide an overview of each player. In other words they provide the information to Gibbs and company who then choose the players. You would have to think by mid-January the fact gathering was already done as was Vinny's job.

[Redskin4Life]

With all the rumors swirling around the firing of Smith after the draft, I think this "leak" was a planned message for AJ Smith:

"Don't worry if San Diego poop-cans you, we're looking for a GM and you'll have a job here. Oh and you'll get paid well too so don't fight too hard for your job."

[redskin_rich]

With all the rumors swirling around the firing of Smith after the draft, I think this "leak" was a planned message for AJ Smith:

"Don't worry if San Diego poop-cans you, we're looking for a GM and you'll have a job here. Oh and you'll get paid well too so don't fight too hard for your job."
AJ isn't getting fired this year, if he was it would have already happened and Marty would still be there.

[bergiemoore]

id like to know how this talk got out?

I blame Scotter Libby.

[WinnpegSkinsFan]

I blame Scotter Libby.

ROTFLMAO:lol1:

[ChiefPowhatan17]

These rumors seem to be just the right time, during the biggest week of the off season, with the exception of the draft.

[Brokenstriker]

like him or hate him ... Snyder is not stupid. He's learning and he's aggressively competative (I say this like I know him well ... I don't). I suspect what we have and will see is assertive (over the top) aggressive decision, learn lesson, reassess, assertive (over the top kinda) aggressive decision, learn lesson, reassess, assertive (slightly more experienced/mature NFL reaction) aggressive decision, learn lesson, reassess ...

I'm hopful that his learning process gets him to converge on the best way to do this NFL business ... and his course corrections are less dramatic. We've seen has-been big name free agents (Bruce, George, Neon, Trotter) ... to younger still delivering big name free agent decisions (Portis, Springs) ... to too many mid-range free agent decisions (Lloyd, Fauria, ... ). Kinda sorta feels like he's zeroing in on something, learning his lessons once not twice. Reality is as a new, young owner ... he has to learn all the lessons if he is going to be hands on. Hope the painful ones are in the past.

[Skins7ny]

Why would you wait until after the start of free agency and the draft to make this change? This kind of move makes more sense to have happen right after the end of an abysmal season.
Usually when teams clean house in their personnel department, they do it after the draft. I think that is because the evaluations of draft-eligble players are done by the scouts and the player personnel director during the college football season and tweaked now (this week) after the combine. If you clean house in January, you lose all the people who scouted the games in person, and the new people would be under the gun with the Senior Bowl, the Combine and the individual workouts. Once the final evals are in, you might as well keep them there until the draft to get their real-time perspective on players as you set up your draft board.
Also, I think most personnel guy's contracts are written to expire after the draft.

With all that, I hope it is true that they are dumping Vinny. It is hard to tell with the other scouts and the pro personnel people whether they deserve to be canned, since we don't know what recommendations they have made about individual players. I think Riddick is pretty new to his job, but I might be wrong.

As to whether this means new GM or not, I think the only reason to clean house and fire everybody is if you are bringing in a GM, because he will want to bring in his own scouts.

Pointing out mistakes by Casserly, Reese and Accorsi is fair game and a good point, but every GM makes mistakes. Beathard made plenty, but the bottom line is he (and Casserly) built teams that went to 4 Super Bowls. Actually, it is sad that Beathard will probably be known more for drafting Ryan Leaf than for all the Super Bowl teams he helped build in Washington, Miami and San Diego. BTW, it is an open question how much the Mario Williams decision was Casserly's and how much was Kubiak and McNair's-Casserly was a lame duck at the time of the selection. It may have been his move, but I don't think we know for sure. I think it is enough for our purposes to blame him for OT Andre Johnson (remember him) and Dana Stubblefield!

[Skins7ny]

like him or hate him ... Snyder is not stupid. He's learning and he's aggressively competative (I say this like I know him well ... I don't). I suspect what we have and will see is assertive (over the top) aggressive decision, learn lesson, reassess, assertive (over the top kinda) aggressive decision, learn lesson, reassess, assertive (slightly more experienced/mature NFL reaction) aggressive decision, learn lesson, reassess ...

I'm hopful that his learning process gets him to converge on the best way to do this NFL business ... and his course corrections are less dramatic. We've seen has-been big name free agents (Bruce, George, Neon, Trotter) ... to younger still delivering big name free agent decisions (Portis, Springs) ... to too many mid-range free agent decisions (Lloyd, Fauria, ... ). Kinda sorta feels like he's zeroing in on something, learning his lessons once not twice. Reality is as a new, young owner ... he has to learn all the lessons if he is going to be hands on. Hope the painful ones are in the past.

You might be right. Let's all hope so.

[bergiemoore]

Usually when teams clean house in their personnel department, they do it after the draft. I think that is because the evaluations of draft-eligble players are done by the scouts and the player personnel director during the college football season and tweaked now (this week) after the combine. If you clean house in January, you lose all the people who scouted the games in person, and the new people would be under the gun with the Senior Bowl, the Combine and the individual workouts. Once the final evals are in, you might as well keep them there until the draft to get their real-time perspective on players as you set up your draft board.
Also, I think most personnel guy's contracts are written to expire after the draft.

Well, so long as the Redskins address the real problem at player/talent evaluation, then I'm okay with that. When it happens doesn't bother me nearly as much as continuing the cycle of "1 step forward, 2 steps back", interms of FO acquisitions.

[Skins7ny]

Well, so long as the Redskins address the real problem at player/talent evaluation, then I'm okay with that. When it happens doesn't bother me nearly as much as continuing the cycle of "1 step forward, 2 steps back", interms of FO acquisitions.
Agreed. Getting a GM is not beneficial unless he is a good GM, and unless he is permitted to do his job without interference from ownership. The mindset of the organization must change-it is pretty well established, I think, that you cannot buy a championship in the NFL. Free agent acquisitions have their place, but they are only a piece of the puzzle in terms of building a champion and perennial playoff contender.

[SkinsfaninNJ]

Agreed. Getting a GM is not beneficial unless he is a good GM, and unless he is permitted to do his job without interference from ownership. The mindset of the organization must change-it is pretty well established, I think, that you cannot buy a championship in the NFL. Free agent acquisitions have their place, but they are only a piece of the puzzle in terms of building a champion and perennial playoff contender.
I don't think its only ownership you have to be concerned about. The Wash. Post article makes it very clear that the FA decisiions have ultimately been made by Gibbs and his top assitants. GW wanted Arch, AS wanted ARE and Gibbs wanted another speedy receiver who ultimately ended up being Lloyd. If you believe the article, Vinny is not picking the players, he is merely providing information on them. Now, there was incidents where the right information was not provided which falls on Vinny, but he is not the decision maker.

A new GM will only work if he has more say in personnel than Gibbs.

[betterczechyourself]

I blame Scotter Libby.

LOL

[Redskin4Life]

AJ isn't getting fired this year, if he was it would have already happened and Marty would still be there.
PFT rumored that he was getting canned after the draft a couple of weeks ago... a coincidence the timing is the same as our canning of the FO???

[redskin_rich]

PFT rumored that he was getting canned after the draft a couple of weeks ago... a coincidence the timing is the same as our canning of the FO???
Did they start this rumor before or after Marty got fired?

[BIGSEF3]

Did they start this rumor before or after Marty got fired?
the rumor about AJ being fired was before marty got canned. It would make zero cents for the chargers to fire AJ after letting marty go. The rumor about us cleaning house is brand spanking new.

I think they are unreleated, although getting AJ would be the best thing to happen to this franchise since gibbs was here the 1st time.

[Skins7ny]

I don't think its only ownership you have to be concerned about. The Wash. Post article makes it very clear that the FA decisiions have ultimately been made by Gibbs and his top assitants. GW wanted Arch, AS wanted ARE and Gibbs wanted another speedy receiver who ultimately ended up being Lloyd. If you believe the article, Vinny is not picking the players, he is merely providing information on them. Now, there was incidents where the right information was not provided which falls on Vinny, but he is not the decision maker.

A new GM will only work if he has more say in personnel than Gibbs.

Yeah, I think it is a given that hiring a GM only has meaning if he has final say on acquisitions. I think you want the coaches' input on the kind of players that fit their system, but coaches should coach and scouts should scout. Otherwise, it is the same decision-making apparatus (minus Vinny) dressed up in different clothing. I have said elsewhere that I just don't see Gibbs giving up his authority on personnel. But you never know, he gave up playcalling to Saunders. Also, you are never going to get a good, experienced GM to come here unless he has personnel authority written into his contract.

[BIGSEF3]

we should also remember that this could be gibbs last year coaching. if not, then next year would definately be the last. When whoever (cower) replaces Gibbs, we need to have a GM already in place.

[redskin_rich]

the rumor about AJ being fired was before marty got canned. It would make zero cents for the chargers to fire AJ after letting marty go. The rumor about us cleaning house is brand spanking new.

I think they are unreleated, although getting AJ would be the best thing to happen to this franchise since gibbs was here the 1st time.
That was my point. It has been known for two years now that Spanos threatened to fire Smith or Marty if they could not work together. Marty got the axe, so Smith is staying. I think Redskin4Life didn't realize that once Marty got canned, it ended the chance for Smith's departure, at least in the near future.

I am not as sold on Smith. He had two great deals fall in his lap, partly because of how bad the team sucked in the first place. Now he has turned over a SB contender to Norv Turner. I have a feeling Smith's short legacy is about to get tarnished.

[BIGSEF3]

That was my point. It has been known for two years now that Spanos threatened to fire Smith or Marty if they could not work together. Marty got the axe, so Smith is staying. I think Redskin4Life didn't realize that once Marty got canned, it ended the chance for Smith's departure, at least in the near future.

I am not as sold on Smith. He had two great deals fall in his lap, partly because of how bad the team sucked in the first place. Now he has turned over a SB contender to Norv Turner. I have a feeling Smith's short legacy is about to get tarnished.

It wasnt just the deals that fell into his lap, its the players he selected with the picks he got from the deals. Even in free agency, the Chargers have been good and who they brought in/let go. And the Chargers don't spend nearly as much as we do. AJ would have a field day if he ever came here. I'm sure Snyder would quintuple whatever Spanos is paying him now.

[Redskin4Life]

That was my point. It has been known for two years now that Spanos threatened to fire Smith or Marty if they could not work together. Marty got the axe, so Smith is staying. I think Redskin4Life didn't realize that once Marty got canned, it ended the chance for Smith's departure, at least in the near future.

I am not as sold on Smith. He had two great deals fall in his lap, partly because of how bad the team sucked in the first place. Now he has turned over a SB contender to Norv Turner. I have a feeling Smith's short legacy is about to get tarnished.
I was pretty sure it was AFTER Marty got canned cause it seemed really weird to me... I'll see if I can find it. I know that Turner's job is tied to Smith's... if Norv gets fired, so will Smith. That's part of the reason I think that Smith is coming... he would get a chance to build us up and get to bring in whoever he likes in players and scouting personnel.

[Redskin4Life]

Did they start this rumor before or after Marty got fired?
It was after Marty got fired... here's the article and it's Schefter as the source:

POSTED 4:38 p.m. EST, February 14, 2007

SCHEFTER GIVES LIFE TO OUR SMITH PREDICTION

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that the San Diego Chargers might part ways with G.M. A.J. Smith after the April 2007 draft.

This reports meshes with our prediction that Smith will be let go for his role in the dysfunction that resulted in the termination of coach Marty Schottenheimer.

It also bolsters the mounting speculation that USC coach Pete Carroll is being, or has been, privately courted by the Chargers. Carroll most certainly would want final say over the roster, and if Smith couldn't get along with a head coach who didn't have final say, he'd never be able to work for one who does.

Still, if Carroll gets the job, the biggest challenge will be for him to hire a personnel guru who can do the job right. It's no coincidence that college coaches who have made the leap to the NFL in the post-salary cap era have struggled. It's one thing to recruit 25 blue-chippers every year and line 'em all up three deep on the depth chart. It's quite another to engage in the Peter-robbing, Paul-paying world of the NFL, where there are only so many quality players that can be signed without going over the total spending limit.

Though Carroll surely has Pat Kirwan on speed dial, Kirwan's specialty is cap and contracts. Besides, he has been out of the league for a while now. Carroll needs someone with the skills to find the right players at the right price, and then Carroll will be required to take that talent and coach it up in a way that will allow the team to overcome a playing field far more level than the raw talent gap Carroll has enjoyed in at least seven or eight games per year at USC.

Despite the fact that Caroll is not the head guy, I still think there may be some truth to this all... the Chargers organization was never really keen on Smith ever since Butler passed away.