The Redskins finally found something to be happy about: they won’t have to answer questions about Jim Zorn’s job for a while.
Executive vice president Vinny Cerrato said on his radio show Friday morning that Zorn would return for the rest of the season. That was met by relief from the players. But Zorn said it changes nothing for him.
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“I don’t have a reaction to that because I am the head coach,” he said. “I want to be here for the next 10 years. That’s my story. I have a contract. It says what it says. I’m committed to these guys. It’s a finality if it’s just end of the year stuff.
“For me, I’m not concerned about the future. I’m trying to live in the present and we have a game. So I don’t know what it will do.”
Zorn has been under fire for two reasons: the offense’s inability to produce, dating to the second half of last season; and owner Dan Snyder’s history of impatience.
Washington hired Sherman Lewis on Oct. 6 to become an offensive consultant. On Sunday night, he was promoted to play-caller when Zorn was stripped of those duties.
Zorn said Cerrato did not tell him about being safe for the rest of the season. The players did not know until they came off the practice field.
Zorn said he did not need to be told this by Cerrato or owner Dan Snyder.
“No,” he said. “I’m just coaching ball.”
It’s not as if the Redskins did not try to replace Zorn. Former Denver coach Mike Shanahan reportedly rejected overtures about replacing Zorn during the season. One source said Thursday that Shanahan did not want to take over during the season.
The other problem is that they had no real alternatives on the staff. Defensive coordinator Greg Blache had no interest in taking over as an interim coach and in fact this could be his last season coaching, an NFL source said. Secondary coach Jerry Gray was rumored to be a possible interim coach.
And special teams coach Danny Smith was another possibility as well. However, the Redskins likely would like to retain Smith and if he served as an interim coach that might be a more difficult task. It’s rare that an interim coach is not fired in the end.
But more than that, even with Lewis, they felt the offensive staff would struggle if Zorn was fired, according to the source close to the organization.
The result is that Zorn is safe for the season.
“We can go back to playing football,” center Casey Rabach said.
“It’s definitely a good thing to hear,” linebacker London Fletcher said. “I’m fine with Caoch Zorn. I’m happy for him. I’m happy to know we’ll have stability throughout this year and hopefully into the future and to know we won’t have to deal with the same questions, speculation; if we lose a game, is he going to get fired? Stuff like that. It’s definitely a good thing to hear.”
“We were the soap opera for the NFL the last two weeks,” quarterback Jason Campbell said. “Hopefully it will calm down a little bit.”
One player earlier this week talked about the tension that existed at Redskins Park. Many avoided open locker-room sessions with the media, knowing they’d be asked questions about the coach they could not answer — or had already answered several times before.
“If it comforts the players,” Zorn said. “That’s awesome.”
Cerrato declined comment after practice, saying he spoke for two hours on the subject earlier in the day.
Even though he endorsed Zorn for the season, unless the Redskins (2-4) turn their season around, starting with Monday’s game vs. Philadelphia, the speculation could arise again. Zorn said he doesn’t think he’s done answering job security questions each week.
“I’m sure they’ll come up,” he said.
That’s why the players also said this:
“Well, if they step up and say that for the season,” receiver Antwaan Randle El said, “I hope that’s what he means.”
