It was a sweet downfield play designed for receiver Santana Moss to reach the end zone. Cornerback Fred Smoot pressed him inside, but was losing a step. The passer unleashed one just a little too far.
Moss yelled his dismay over the missed opportunity Tuesday while Smoot celebrated and his teammates laughed. Who says voluntary workouts don’t count?
Oh, and the passer was Redskins coach Jim Zorn.
Yes, the Z-Man still has the big arm after playing for Seattle, Green Bay and Tampa Bay from 1976-87. Zorn threw for 21,115 yards and 111 touchdowns on a lot of bad teams, but the 55-year-old still has the arm for at least one deep pass.
“He shocked me,” Smoot said. “He still has an arm. He showed it to me.”
The first-year coach runs smart practices. Very organized and detailed, but also a little lighter than some predecessors. Maybe it’s the former player in Zorn that lets him take a snap behind center now and then. Even more, the old competitiveness lingers. After hearing Smoot challenge him for some time, the coach called Moss aside and set up a pattern based on Smoot’s coverage.
Smoot sensed a short route, figuring Zorn couldn’t go 50 yards in the air. The defender stayed inside Moss trying to cut off the middle of the field. Moss turned it into a go pattern down the left side, but didn’t use his final gear probably thinking the boss couldn’t keep up, either. They were both wrong as the ball landed five yards ahead.
“I told [Zorn] ‘My bad’ not coming through for him,” Moss said. “We had a little miscommunication on what I was supposed to do. He called the play that was supposed to change with the coverage and we were off on it. He can still throw it. I saw how he did it back in the day. It was a missed opportunity on my behalf, but we have plenty more time.”
Zorn played the diplomat, saying, “There were some communication problems between myself and Moss. He was right on and I didn’t throw it well. Smoot was the guy I wanted. We have a kind of competition going. He has me 1-0 right now.”
Smoot claimed the victory despite the only scouting report on the passer coming from his father, who saw Zorn play before Smoot was born.
“There was no catch,” Smoot said. “I wish he’d have throw a route I could have stepped in front of and ran it back.”
Maybe next time. Then again, Zorn’s not done with Smoot, either.
“I had him, too,” Zorn said.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
