I'm not going to sugar coat it: this Jim Zorn thing isn't working out. I didn't like the hiring of Zorn as our offensive coordinator in the spring of 2008. I really didn't like it when Danny Snyder decided to bump him up to the head gig a month or so later.
He's in over his head.
I live in non-Redskins Country right now so unlightened people keep telling me that "if you only had a decent quarterback" crap. To be honest, Jason Campbell has been playing pretty well. He's making good decisions and is rarely doing anything to hurt the team.
The problem is the offense, however. The offensive line is old and was barely tinkered with this offseason. The receivers are the smallish Santana Moss, the overpaid Antwaan Randle-El and the trio of sophomores of Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly and Fred Davis. And ... for some reason ... they cannot figure out how to best use Chris Cooley effectively.
Zorn cannot help that week to week. But the offensive philosophy and play calling has been very suspect. So much so that last week, Skins' legend Sonny Jurgensen openly questioned Zorn about it. Zorn was visibly unpleased. It was also visible of why Campbell isn't as successful as others would wish: Zorn doesn't allow him to be.
Jurgensen said he'd switch the play if Zorn told him to run a half-back pass on a 3rd and goal. Zorn told him that he'd pull him from the game, then. That's a legend, imagine what he tells Campbell. And that's why he doesn't have the tools to be successful.
There is also this listless about the team. The offense looks unemotional. They look as if they don't care. They look as if they are just cashing paychecks. As I type this, the Redskins are down 13-0 to the Detroit Lions at halftime. The Lions have a 22:00 to 8:00 advantage in time of possession. They've out passed the Skins 159-94. And the best stat of them all: the Lions have rushed the ball for 116 yards while the Redskins have ran for a grand total of ZERO. None. Zilch. Nada. In a game against an inferior opponent, Zorn is refusing to run the ball. And when he does call a run, it's a cutesy trap, draw or delay.
With Bill Cowher, Brian Billick and Mike Shanahan hanging out on their porches ... and with an owner who doesn't mind a quick change ... expect Zorn to get the axe at some point. Maybe during the season.
I hope.
UPDATE: Zorn seemed to remember that Portis was alive and actually gave him the ball. But a tough pass interference call gave the Lions a 19-7 lead and those bad first half decisions are coming back to roost. The Redskins became the first team to lose to Detroit since December 2007. Wonder if Sonny has any other questions for Zorn?
He's in over his head.
I live in non-Redskins Country right now so unlightened people keep telling me that "if you only had a decent quarterback" crap. To be honest, Jason Campbell has been playing pretty well. He's making good decisions and is rarely doing anything to hurt the team.
The problem is the offense, however. The offensive line is old and was barely tinkered with this offseason. The receivers are the smallish Santana Moss, the overpaid Antwaan Randle-El and the trio of sophomores of Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly and Fred Davis. And ... for some reason ... they cannot figure out how to best use Chris Cooley effectively.
Zorn cannot help that week to week. But the offensive philosophy and play calling has been very suspect. So much so that last week, Skins' legend Sonny Jurgensen openly questioned Zorn about it. Zorn was visibly unpleased. It was also visible of why Campbell isn't as successful as others would wish: Zorn doesn't allow him to be.
Jurgensen said he'd switch the play if Zorn told him to run a half-back pass on a 3rd and goal. Zorn told him that he'd pull him from the game, then. That's a legend, imagine what he tells Campbell. And that's why he doesn't have the tools to be successful.
There is also this listless about the team. The offense looks unemotional. They look as if they don't care. They look as if they are just cashing paychecks. As I type this, the Redskins are down 13-0 to the Detroit Lions at halftime. The Lions have a 22:00 to 8:00 advantage in time of possession. They've out passed the Skins 159-94. And the best stat of them all: the Lions have rushed the ball for 116 yards while the Redskins have ran for a grand total of ZERO. None. Zilch. Nada. In a game against an inferior opponent, Zorn is refusing to run the ball. And when he does call a run, it's a cutesy trap, draw or delay.
With Bill Cowher, Brian Billick and Mike Shanahan hanging out on their porches ... and with an owner who doesn't mind a quick change ... expect Zorn to get the axe at some point. Maybe during the season.
I hope.
UPDATE: Zorn seemed to remember that Portis was alive and actually gave him the ball. But a tough pass interference call gave the Lions a 19-7 lead and those bad first half decisions are coming back to roost. The Redskins became the first team to lose to Detroit since December 2007. Wonder if Sonny has any other questions for Zorn?
3 comments:
I can't tell you how sick I am of this team's effort. There's a reason why successful teams win. It's a mentality from top to bottom. These guys are just out there always having fun, not trying to win. I'm sick of it and I'm hoping Snyder is as angry as I am.
You're exactly right, but this "wining" thing starts with the owner. There is not doubt in my mind that Snyder wants to win in the NFL; he's a highly successful businessman; but does he have the tools to win. Yes, Jason Campbell is no slouch but we have receivers who are slow, lazy and most of the Skins fans up here in Alaska are tired of hearing excuses about why they keep losing. Heck, when they win it's never exciting. VINNY CERRATO had been around forever and I question where that boob knows anything about football. Money means nothing to Snyder but that hasn't helped these slugs win anything. Get rid of the "FLOATER" and let's hire a team we can be proud of again!!!
You have to start at the top and work your way down. Let's start with the owner who has been there for 10 years now and has yet to produce a winning season. He has embarrassed The Nation's Capitol quite frankly, and if he doesn’t get this head coach thing right the fans ought to consider not supporting his team any longer. It makes no sense to have the highest price tickets and not get anything on the return. He has wasted time and money getting all these old washed up players and coaches who already lived past their “prime”. Let’s move on to a new era and finally select a coach who is hungry to win a Super bowl and is currently in the job market. The quarterback isn’t the problem. The coach has never had control of the locker-room, much less now and a change needs to be made. He is not qualified to be a head coach in the NFL and had plenty of time to prove it. I am so ashamed of Daniel Snyder and I am sure Jack Kent Cooke’s family is ashamed as well. Dan Snyder-Fix this mess now!
A fan of 40 years.
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