Rick Snider » The exodus is coming, when depends on Sunday's result
By: Rick Snider
Examiner Sports Columnist
October 18, 2009
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| Redskins 2005 draftee Carlos Rogers isn’t likely to return following the season, as are several of the team’s homegrown talent, writes Examiner columnist Rick Snider. (Getty Images) |
Coach Jim Zorn's fate may be decided on Sunday, even if the end is measured in days, weeks or months.
If the Washington Redskins (2-3) lose to the Kansas City Chiefs (0-5) at FedEx Field, Zorn's tenure probably ends after playing Philadelphia on Oct. 26 when the team gets a bye week.
But beating Kansas City to avoid falling to a third winless team this season would lift Washington to 3-3 despite facing an unprecedented NFL schedule of six weeks of no opponent sporting a win.
It would be hard to fire Zorn at 3-4 and impossible at 4-3. Owner Dan Snyder is working on his 2010 candidate list, topped by Jon Gruden and Mike Shanahan, but might promote assistants Jerry Gray or Danny Smith in the interim. Still, with nine games remaining, everyone would know the season is essentially done. That means 4-12.
Zorn might get one or two more wins this season than an interim coach. Maybe. It's hard to see a team with no offensive line doing much against five games in the NFC East plus playoff contenders New Orleans, Denver and Atlanta.
Chris Samuels is likely out for more than one game with a spinal injury. Stenosis of the spine has forced players to retire. At 32 years old and 10 seasons that have weakened his knee, the left tackle has, at best, two years remaining. The Redskins must find Samuels' replacement in the offseason.
Indeed, there are final hurrahs coming for several marquee players as the season essentially ends Sunday if the Skins lose to Kansas City. Zorn might depart, but the players will endure a two-month farewell tour.
Clinton Portis is obviously worn down after 2,143 carries for 9,540 yards over eight seasons. Running backs slow down near 30 and the offensive line can only be blamed for so much. Portis hasn't shown that former burst of speed.
Jason Campbell and Carlos Rogers -- two Auburn first-rounders from 2005 -- won't likely return. Losing your homegrown quarterback and cornerback to free agency is rare, but the Redskins show no interest in retaining either. Fred Smoot also appears out as a 2001 second-rounder. And these are the better draft picks the Redskins have managed.
Zorn may be leaving soon. He won't be alone. Fans are threatening to join him on the highway judging by escalating boos and proliferating anti-Snyder Web sites.
The exodus is coming. The Kansas City outcome will merely set the timetable.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com or e-mail rsnider@washingtonexaminer.com.
