Rick Snider » Zorn, Campbell remain linked as Skins search for answers
By: Rick Snider
Examiner Sports Columnist
October 6, 2009
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| If the Redskins are going down, Jim Zorn and Jason Campbell are going down together, writes Washington Examiner columnist Rick Snider. (Getty Images) |
Jim Zorn and Jason Campbell are still bunkmates on the good ship Redskins.
While the latter was throwing three interceptions, Zorn never thought of benching the quarterback. Nor was the coach changing course. Steady ahead worked as Campbell threw two touchdowns in the 16-13 victory over the Bucs on Sunday.
If the Redskins are going down, Zorn and Campbell are going down together. There's no sense splitting up with three months left before both likely spend next season elsewhere.
After 20 months together, the pair knows each other so well that Zorn needed only to look into Campbell's eyes to ensure his quarterback was functioning.
"I could see he was trying to be competitive," Zorn said. "The thing that I kept telling Jason Campbell was, 'Just get back in line. Don't all of a sudden create something new that is going to let the game plan go or you're going to try to do something on your own. When the play is called just read and throw. When the play is called, run the show.'"
All eyes were on the tandem at the start of the second half. Campbell was miserable in the first half with two interceptions and a fumble. Hall of Famers Sonny Jurgensen and Sam Huff were in the broadcast booth calling for backup Todd Collins.
"I was like, 'Coach, I'm going to get it together. I don't know what is going on right now,'" Campbell said. "I think a lot of that has to do because [Zorn] played the position. He has probably had one of those days and to understand how important it is to let the guy in there to fight through this and not give up. ... Everyone likes to be supported. I've been going through this since the offseason."
Campbell was pressing too much, saying he was trying to do everybody's job when not doing his own. Finally, the defense set up the opening third-quarter drive for a field goal. Campbell then threw touchdowns on consecutive possessions, including a 59-yarder that has been elusive since the preseason.
Suddenly, the Redskins' leader regained his swagger.
"I think the best thing that happened today was us sticking with Jason," running back Clinton Portis said. "I think Jason really grew to be a leader of this team. For Jason to hold his head up after four turnovers and everybody continuing to fight [was a great thing]."
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com or e-mail rsnider@washingtonexaminer.com.
