Washington Redskins coach Jim Zorn just blew any chance of saving his job.
Sure it’s a bad year and owner Dan Snyder is ready for a change. But beating Dallas is the owner’s passion. A decent late-season finish might have tempered the 2-6 start and made Snyder reconsider booting Zorn, especially if Mike Shanahan goes elsewhere and no big names are available. Given 2011 looks like a lockout, Snyder doesn’t want to invest $7 million annually in a coach for a coming season with no revenue.
Zorn missed a chance for redemption, though, blowing two critical calls as Washington lost to Dallas, 7-6, on Sunday. Sorry, the unemployment line will soon grow one person longer.
On a day when Ladell Betts and Chad Rinehart may have suffered season-ending injuries that will force the backfield and offensive line into soon playing free agents off the street, others emerged.
Rock Cartwright produced 140 yards. Devin Thomas is finally shining. It was a gutsy game the Redskins deserved to win despite a handful of critical mistakes and two missed field goals.
But Zorn is openly second-guessed in this one.
First, the Redskins opted to kick a field goal with 15 seconds remaining in the first half on third down. There was clearly time for another play at the Cowboys’ 20-yard line.
Don’t talk about the possible sack to take the field goal attempt away. Play to win. Throw it once into the end zone to take a 10-0 lead into halftime.
Instead, Shaun Suisham missed his first field goal of the season. It’s 3-0 at halftime, which is virtually a tie. Even if Suisham converted it would only be 6-0. Dallas knew it could lead on one big play despite an awful half. A 10-0 edge, though, is mentally more imposing.
The second call is a debatable. The Redskins had a chance to make it a two-score game at 9-0 when Suisham attempted a field goal with 4:52 remaining. But it’s a 50-yard kick. If Suisham misses, Dallas has the ball at its 40.
Washington could have pinned Dallas deep with a good punt. Make them go the distance on a day the Cowboys were sputtering. It’s a tough call and Suisham’s miss set up the Cowboys’ comeback.
“I’m just sure it’s the right decision to make,” Zorn said. “I’ve got to go with that. They would have needed more than a touchdown to win and that was what I was banking.”
The Redskins could have reached 4-6 and pulled within two games of the NFC East lead. Two straight wins might have fueled some miracle run and saved Zorn. Instead, those calls will empower Snyder’s desire to switch coaches.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com and Twitter @Snide_Remarks or
e-mail [email protected].
