Front Office Rumblings
There are lot of rumors floating around out there right now about the Redskins front office. Some NFL people think The Snyder might finally cut the cord with Uncle Junior/Johnny Drama/Vinny C., and several executives I spoke to from other clubs were just as adamant that he would do no such thing.
I have heard the morale of the Skins scouts is a low, some are fearing for the future and wonder if a major shake-up might be afoot after the draft. There was also apparently an item on profootballtalk.com a few weeks back, speculating that the Skins would go Tony Soprano on their scouts and personnel guys after the draft that sent ripple waves of consternation through the corridors of Redskins Park from what I gather.
To that end, I know of at least one individual who was asked - through an agent - if he might have interest in personnel position of some sort with the Redskins. I have also heard that there is a sense among Washington's pro and amateur scouts that heads might roll. So I gathered a bunch of information to this end over the last few weeks and finally ran it up the flagpole at Redskins Park Monday.
After running it by the organization I was told that the team has no such plans. But it wasn't exactly the most emphatic denial of all time, and I am not entirely sold that at least a position or two in the front office won't open up after the draft. Some in league circles have said that Vinny has told people that he is a little worried about his job security; others say it'll never happen, he's The Snyder's boy 'til the end. One person who used to a key figure in the Skins front office believed The Owner is finally ready to put personal bias aside and get a new head of personnel. Several people who work in Redskins Park said they have never heard a word about chucking Vinny or any scouts in May.
Again, take it all for what it's worth, as no one is asserting anything definite and the Skins are saying no such changes are planned.
I also spoke to a few individuals who, if the Redskins really were seeking a GM/VP of football ops type, would surely be at the top of their list of candidates, and neither heard a thing from the Skins. They were under contract, and perfectly happy where they were, but these are guys who, if the team was really going to go in this direction and were conducting a search, would have to be prime candidates. Also spoke to a few agents who represent lots of GMs/personnel guys, and they had not heard a thing about the Skins actually going in a new direction and ending the Uncle Junior Era.
So, what do I think will take place? Well, I still could see them doing something along the lines of a adding a talented, young, scouting guru from another organization and giving him a promotion here to beef things up. Would they consider a new sidekick to Vinny - currently Louis Riddick - and try to add to the mix? I wouldn't rule it out. I wouldn't even rule them out putting a new face near the top of the college scouting pyramid.
But that's just me guessing based on the scuttlebutt I've heard. Bottom line is there are some edgy people in these parts, which is the way it goes after a 5-11 season with Super Bowl operations. Of course, I also think this is all farcical. The problems in this organization and its lack of a proven personnel leader have been pointed out at great length, and until they correct that flaw I don't expect to see a major turnaround.
Adding some scouts or getting rid of some guys who, at the end of the day, have no voice in actually pulling the trigger as Coach Joe/The Snyder/Uncle Junior call the shots, would be window dressing. Scouts are the lifeblood of any organization, under-paid and over-looked foot soldiers who log crazy hours, live out of a suitcase and get no glory (as a beat schlub myself how could I not relate?). I empathize with their plight and I know the Skins have some very competent scouts in their ranks; it's the personnel paradigm that's awry.
In an organization as top-heavy as this, where glitz and splash have overwhelmed sound thought for so long, could you really blame the scouts of all people? But they are also the first guys to end up taking a bullet when times are tough, hence the worries.
I may have to use that line. 
p right there!
