Vinny Cerrato is a former American football executive who worked for several National Football League (NFL) teams. He began his career as a scout for the San Francisco 49ers in the 1980s before moving on to work for the Washington Redskins, the Baltimore Ravens, and the Oakland Raiders.
Cerrato's most notable tenure was with the Washington Redskins, where he served as the team's Vice President of Football Operations from 2002 to 2009. During his time with the Redskins, Cerrato was responsible for overseeing the team's personnel decisions, including player acquisitions and draft picks.
Cerrato's tenure with the Redskins was marked by both successes and failures. He was credited with helping to build the team that won the NFC East division in 2005, and he was also responsible for drafting several key players, including quarterback Jason Campbell and tight end Chris Cooley.
However, Cerrato was also criticized for several high-profile personnel decisions that did not pan out. He was widely criticized for his decision to sign free agent defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth to a record-breaking contract in 2009, a move that was widely regarded as a bust. Cerrato was also criticized for his handling of the team's coaching staff, including his decision to fire head coach Jim Zorn in 2009.
Despite these criticisms, Cerrato remained a prominent figure in the NFL for several years. He continued to work as a consultant and analyst for various media outlets, and he also served as a guest analyst for several NFL teams.
In recent years, Cerrato has largely stepped away from the public eye. He has not held a prominent role with any NFL team since leaving the Redskins in 2009, and he has largely avoided the media spotlight. However, his legacy as a football executive remains a topic of debate among fans and analysts alike.
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