The Washington Redskins have promoted V.P. of football operations Vinny Cerrato to the position of Executive Vice President — Football Operations.

“The appointment formalizes the structure the team has operated under in recent years, and is recognition of the valuable role Vinny has played this season, especially during a time of terrible tragedy,” said Redskins owner Dan Snyder.  “During the past season we were hit with an unprecedented number of injuries, and Vinny consistently identified players who stepped in and stepped up to help take us to the playoffs.”

The move cements the top end of the power structure in D.C., with Cerrato running the show — and Snyder still having significant input into the process.

It also means that the next coach must temper his ambitions accordingly.  For better or worse, Cerrato is entrenched in the Redskins’ front office.  And no head coach is going to be able to chew into that power — unless and until he wins a Super Bowl or two.

Not bad for a guy who was fired by the team when Marty Schottenheimer ran the show, and was later re-hired by Snyder.