When things go bad for so long, look to the top

I don't think Jim Zorn is the main problem with the Washington Redskins. I rarely think that lower or mid-management is the root cause of dysfunction in any organization. While Zorn might not be Vince Lombardi, he's not a terrible coach in my opinion. As a quarterback, he was a pretty innovative and creative player. I doubt those characteristics disappeared when he went into coaching, and many other respected coaches around the NFL speak well of him.

The constants with the Redskins, through all the losing and mediocre seasons, are the owner and the guy bringing in sub-par talent. These are the people with the power calling most of the shots. The blame goes to Dan Snyder and Vinny Cerrato, respectively. They are the people hiring and firing head coaches. They are the ones evaluating players and signing them to long-term contracts, which then pressures Zorn (and coaches prior to him) to play these below-average athletes. If he doesn't play them, then he appears like he isn't being a good company man. But it's impossible to make chicken salad out of chicken ... Well, you get my drift.

It won't matter who comes in next to coach this team. Snyder is wrong to think he can win a Super Bowl by running his sports franchise the way he runs his other businesses. That's one of the things I enjoy about sports. It tends to expose character flaws in a way big business doesn't. You can't bully your way to a championship. You can't create a monopoly. You have to do the work and be smart within the rules of the game. You have to build the business, build trust and retain good people. These are things Snyder struggles with.

As for Cerrato, c'mon ... look at his drafts. Unfortunately, Cerrato and Snyder are pals, so Vinny is probably safe.

When ownership or top management fails to hire and retain the right people, sports teams like businesses, tend to spiral downward. It is clear that in terms of judging character and skill the Redskins' front office is about as bad as any failed company. Luckily, taxpayers won't have to bail out this team, as the Redskins remain one of the most profitable sports franchises. Maybe when fans start staying home and don't buy merchandise, Snyder will revise his way of running the team.

Coaches are like mid-level managers in business. They can only work with what they are given. They are also vulnerable to being fired because upper management has to fire someone in order to deflect blame from themselves.

I am afraid Zorn will fall victim to Snyder if the 'Skins (2-3) lose to the Kansas City Chiefs next week, perhaps sooner if Cerrato sees he can save his own butt by firing the coach. But what really needs to change is the front-office structure of the Redskins. People of integrity and institutional knowledge must be hired to run the show. And Snyder needs to let them do their jobs. He's not a football guy. He's a rich dude who could afford to buy a team. He should be happy to be that and give the Redskin fans something to cheer about.