Jim Zorn has good karma.
The Redskins reached 3-0 on Saturday when the New York Jets kicker boinked a last-second field goal off the upright. You think that ever happened to predecessor Norv Turner, king of the narrow losses? It would have hit the crossbar and bounced over on Norv.
The Redskins are living right under their new boss, who obviously isn’t tainted by the stench of defeat that has permeated the franchise over the last 15 years. The Redskins are getting lucky at times and that’s sometimes even better than being good.
The Redskins were lucky to have found Zorn at the bottom of their coaching search of supposedly 50 names, which he wasn’t even among originally. Only after ugly fan reaction over the possibility of Jim Fassel’s hiring in January killed his bid and several others passed did the Redskins turn to Zorn. And that was the beginning of some good fortune.
When defensive end Phillip Daniels was lost for the season on the very first day of practice, the Redskins were lucky to have Miami’s Jason Taylor still on the market for a reasonable price.
Washington lucked out finding some gems during the preseason. Depth that is sorely needed has been replenished through inexpensive rookies.
It may be the deepest draft in owner Dan Snyder’s nine-year tenure. Quarterback Colt Brennan is definitely a keeper. The kid may be the second coming of Sonny Jurgensen. Great composure, gets it done. That touchdown drive to beat the Jets 13-10 was perfection, though next time burn a little more time to prevent an opposing comeback.
Chad Rinehart is guard Pete Kendall’s successor. Justin Tryon will become a third corner. Safeties Kareem Moore and Chris Horton can play and punter Durant Brooks may stay. Add three second-round picks and that’s eight draft picks on the roster.
Amazingly, the draft is the opposite of Snyder’s past when he only hit on top picks. Top pick Devin Thomas is suspect. I’ll wager he catches fewer passes this year than fellow second rounders Malcolm Kelly and Fred Davis. Thomas has great speed, but so did Desmond Howard. Kelly looks a better fit, but injuries may limit his opportunities. For those wondering why the Redskins spent a second-rounder on a tight end when they already had Pro Bowler Chris Cooley, Davis has quickly shown impressive speed, size and blocking.
About the only bad luck the Redskins keep having is minor injuries. Then again, Ladell Betts’ sprained knee isn’t the back-breaker feared when lying on the ground against the Jets. Neither is another minor injury to guard Randy Thomas. The Redskins need both of them.
The key is whether Zorn’s good karma is being spent in August or remains in coming months when it’s more important. The 3-0 preseason start keeps pressure off Zorn, but it will be forgotten if the Redskins open the regular season 0-3.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
