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Casserly acquisition
Brad Johnson
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On Sundays this fall, Charley Casserly isn’t where he’s supposed to be. For
more than 20 years, football Sundays meant working for the Redskins. From the road, during
his early days as a scout, or from a seat in the stadium after he ascended to the GM post,
the Redskins were always his passion.
Casserly enjoyed much success, and a few disappointments, during his tenure in
Washington. But that tenure officially ended in early September, when he resigned during
the shakeup that ensued after Daniel Snyder became the team’s new owner. Let it be
known that Casserly didn’t walk out on this team. He was forced out by the new
regime.
I’m not here to judge whether Casserly’s departure was the right or wrong
path for the Redskins to take. A new guy comes in, and he wants to surround himself with
his own people. Casserly will be the first to tell you he completely understands that.
"When the team went up for sale, I knew that if (former owner) John Cooke
didn’t get the team, the chances are I wasn’t going to be there," Casserly
said from his home in Virginia. "I had been with the Cookes for 20 years. It’s
like I told Dan Snyder when he got the team, ‘It’s your prerogative to have who
you want running your club. If you choose somebody else, that’s fine. I understand
it. I’ll shake your hand and wish you luck.’ And that’s what I did.
Honestly, I haven’t looked back on this thing."
Well, maybe Casserly hasn’t looked back. But I did.
The Redskins have been one of the major surprise stories of the season. Yes, the
defense has been abysmal. What’s new? Even after losing two straight games and
falling to 5-4, Washington remained tied for first in the NFC East. Looking even further
ahead, if the defense can come together in the second half of the season, the Redskins
could be a legitimate Super Bowl contender. The NFC isn’t exactly filled with
powerhouse teams this season, you know.
To whom does Snyder owe a debt of gratitude for the fine positioning of his team?
It’s simple: Casserly.
The most important offseason move by the Redskins was the acquisition of QB Brad
Johnson. His presence is the reason Washington boasts one of the most explosive offenses
in the NFL. And it was Casserly who orchestrated the deal with the Vikings to bring
Johnson to the Redskins.
That wasn’t the only significant move made under Casserly’s watch this past
spring and summer. Andy Heck was brought in and has been a mainstay at left tackle. FB
Larry Centers was signed and has contributed. S Sam Shade and DE Marco Coleman were also
brought in and have been starting.
And, of course, there was the masterful drafting in April. Casserly worked the phones,
worked out some deals, and now this franchise is set to be a contender for a long time to
come. Not only did he get the player the teamed wanted, CB Champ Bailey, but Casserly
stockpiled future picks while dealing with New Orleans and Chicago. The end result is that
Washington has three first-round picks in 2000. The team also came out of the 1999 draft
with second-round pick Jon Jansen, who is starting at right tackle.
A draft that yields two starters and a bevy of selections the following year can be
considered nothing other than brilliant.
"When Dan Snyder bought the club, I told him, ‘You’re buying this club
at exactly the right point in time. You’ve got a good, young nucleus here.
You’ve got a potential Pro Bowl quarterback. You have a chance to win the division
this year. And you’ve got three No. 1 draft choices next year, so your future is
ensured,’ " Casserly said. "That’s what I told him. And I thought the
team was in good shape when I left and that the future was secure. So anytime the team has
success, I’m happy for them."
There is no official award for the "Midseason Executive of the Year." But
that doesn’t mean a person shouldn’t be recognized for the work they’ve
done. Casserly’s final offseason with the Redskins deserves to be recognized, lauded
and applauded.
So, where is Casserly on Sundays this fall?
He’s at Grevey’s Sports Bar in Falls Church, Va. At this establishment,
Casserly watches as many games as his eyes can focus on. He has to stay up with
what’s happening around the league, as I suspect he will be back in it next season.
The rest of the week, he stays busy filing reports as an analyst for ESPN Radio,
watching game film that is sent to him by several teams and watching tape at NFL Films
headquarters in New Jersey. And, of course, there’s a little more time for his wife
and teenage daughter.
While he didn’t say as much, I suspect that Casserly also spends a fair amount of
time wondering where he will be working next year. Under his settlement agreement with
Snyder, Casserly is free to take a new job at any time.
He has had some feelers from a few teams, including people involved in the launching of
Houston’s expansion franchise.
"I’d like to be back in the league next year," Casserly said.
"We’ll see what develops in the offseason."
Wherever he lands, his future employer will be lucky to have him. After all, the new
team will be getting 1999’s Midseason Executive of the Year. |
