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"You build through the draft," said Cerrato, "but when there's an opportunity to upgrade you have to look at trades or free agency."
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The Redskins upgraded through free agency with people like linebacker London Fletcher, defensive end Andre Carter and quarterback Todd Collins, and they upgraded through trades for starters like Santana Moss and Clinton Portis.
But they've missed, too, with Adam Archuleta and Brandon Lloyd two of the most notable busts. You can add Deion Sanders and Bruce Smith, too, both of whom were near the ends of their careers when Washington got hold of them.
But that's where Cerrato comes in. With his advice the Redskins sat on the free-agent sidelines this year, spending early only to retain Collins. Otherwise, they let others do the spending, and that could be a good thing for the Redskins.
Of course, that all depends on how successful Cerrato is.
"If there's a lesson we learned through free agency," he said, "it's that, number one, you try to sign young guys who can play out the contracts, and, two, the guys we had success with all played for one of our coaches or someone on the staff at some time in their careers."
Critics still contend that Cerrato has been put in a position to fail, but I'd be careful there. In San Francisco he was part of a staff that drafted 16 Pro Bowlers from 1991-98, including two Rookies of the Year, and that sent 10 free-agent additions to Honolulu from 1993-98, including 1994 Defensive Player of the Year Deion Sanders.
"He didn't get the accolades in San Francisco," said one league source. "But of all the GMs who are out there, there are only a few with Super Bowl rings on their hands -- and Vinny Cerrato is one of those guys."
Then, he sat behind team president Carmen Policy and vice president of football operations Dwight Clark, and reaped the benefits of having Steve Young and Jerry Rice in the same huddle. Now he sits behind Snyder, who still makes all the decisions, but who also relies on Cerrato more than ever to steer him in the right direction.
"He's in the crosshairs," the agent said of Cerrato, "but if you're not in the crosshairs you're not doing all that much. You're the guy who's collecting a gold watch after 25 years. Vinny will be the one pulling the strings and the one with a game plan that he will adhere to and won't waver from."
It's a daunting task, but Cerrato doesn't seem concerned. Why should he? He was blamed for the 49ers' missteps a decade ago, so he knows the terrain. In fact, when the question of how he's perceived arose Cerrato couldn't help himself.
He started to laugh.
"I will definitely get the blame," he said, grinning. "When Dan and Joe and I would go out, they would introduce me as the guy responsible for all the losses. So I'm ready. I'm as ready as I've ever been."
He should be. For years he operated in the shadows of Snyder, Gibbs and Spurrier. Now the Redskins are carting him out to help make critical decisions, meet with the media, meet with the public and, above all, keep them competitive in Life After Joe.
"He laid down the foundation and the groundwork for the success we've had," Cerrato said of Gibbs. "We're coming off a playoff year, and we have continuity -- with most of the coaches in place -- and the new guys we've added will bring energy to the group."
The most important one, of course, is Zorn, and already he and quarterback Jason Campbell seem to be hitting it off. The two spend four days a week on the practice fields, with Campbell at the complex most of the past month, and so far, so good.
Zorn and Cerrato seem to be hitting it off, too, and that should come as a surprise to no one. Remember, Cerrato hasn't been off the island in the past six years, outlasting two head coaches, three public relations directors and five starting quarterbacks
"I had to earn the right to stay," said Cerrato. "If I weren't pulling my weight or doing my job there's no doubt I'd have been fired. It's all about winning and holding up your portion, and I wouldn't want to be here if Dan or Joe didn't think I was doing my job."
The time is right for Cerrato. Now we find out if the place is, too.
"It'll be exciting," he said.
It always is in Washington.