One of the more intriguing aspects of the Redskins’ stunning decision to hire Jim Zorn to serve as the team’s next head coach is that Zorn also will have final say over the roster.

Supposedly.

“Our coach has the final say on the roster, has the final say in the draft room and free agency,” owner Daniel Snyder said on Sunday.  “If they don’t want ‘em, we don’t bring ‘em in.”

Amid rumblings in league circles that Zorn is merely holding the spot until Bill Cowher decides to return (and to receive at least $10 million in salary from the ‘Skins), it could be that Snyder’s comments are intended to send a message to Cowher that, if/when he ever decides to join the team, he’ll truly get to run the show.

Most league observers had presumed that Executive V.P. of Football Operations Vinny Cerrato would now have final say over personnel.  If that were the case, however, it would be difficult for Snyder to dump Zorn and keep Cerrato if/when Cowher comes aboard.  As it now stands, Zorn has the ultimate authority — and the ultimate accountability. 

It will remain to be seen what if any position Cerrato would have under Cowher.  When Cowher’s mentor, Marty Schottenheimer, was the head coach of the Redskins in 2001, Cerrato got Schott-canned.  Under Cowher, it could be that Cerrato would slide into a Rich McKay-style role, with a big title but no real football-related job to do, since Cowher would bring in guys like Kevin Colbert and/or Omar Khan to handle player selection and contract negotiation.