Rick Snider » Rebuilding time — yet again
By: Rick Snider
Examiner Sports Columnist
September 28, 2009
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The big question isn’t whether Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder fires coach Jim Zorn. The quandary is when does Zorn leave?
If Snyder doesn’t fire Zorn after a disgusting 19-14 loss at Detroit on Sunday, the owner is certainly assembling a replacement list. Russ Grimm should be atop it.
I earlier defended Zorn because it was too soon to judge. Because he’s a nice guy. Because the Redskins problems are more than just the coach.
This isn’t all on Zorn, but it’s apparent Zorn lacks solutions. The offensive playcalling doesn’t work and Zorn’s leadership obviously isn’t there when the team plays its worst first half of football in years. Watch — the wheels will now come off this team faster than cash ran out for clunkers.
Seriously, the Redskins stunk against the Lions, who hadn’t won since Dec. 23, 2007. After 19 straight losses, Detroit absolutely manhandled Washington, which only scored one legitimate touchdown before the prevent defense allowed another.
This is no longer acceptable.
Nothing will save this season. Whether Zorn stays or someone else takes control, still expect a 4-12 year. Snyder should use the next few months to ready for a well-planned offseason makeover instead of buying more Band-Aids.
Grimm is the perfect replacement for Zorn. The former Hog buys Snyder a piece of Camelot for two years as fans support the popular guard with three Super Bowl rings. Grimm is certainly qualified after leading Arizona to the Super Bowl last season as an assistant head coach. That Grimm may be voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in February provides perfect timing.
Defensive coordinator Greg Blache should be replaced, too. He lost credibility in a postgame interview when saying it was others who set the bar high while he respected the Lions. Really, that’s how you want to play this — that fans shouldn’t have expected the Redskins to win? That rings so poorly.
Snyder needs a real general manager. Everybody thinks Vinny Cerrato is tied to Snyder for life. I’ve always felt Snyder fires Cerrato when needing to satisfy the public. Well, it’s time because FedEx Field will be half empty on Sunday against Tampa Bay. Fans are ready to abandon the team. Cerrato has done a miserable job assembling talent and should be canned. His dismissal would bridge the gap with fans.
Meanwhile, get ready for Snyder’s sixth rebuilding plan in 11 years.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com or e-mail rsnider@washingtonexaminer.com.
