Zorn is still getting comfortable as a first-year head coach, but his ‘simple’ approach has earned mostly positive feedback
During the Carolina preseason loss, after yet another round of pressure allowed by the line, a few players went to Redskins coach Jim Zorn with a request. They wanted to change the protection.
But it wasn’t in the game plan, so they stuck with the original protection schemes. And the pressure continued. A day later, they learned the change would be made for the next game.
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“We have to be able to make the adjustment on the sidelines,” one player said. “I don’t think he’ll have problems with that. It’s just him getting comfortable with us.”
Another minor issue: taking too long to get the plays into the huddle. One player said they needed more time so they could make more adjustments at the line of scrimmage.
Consider it part of the learning curve of a first-year head coach. The biggest question facing Washington in 2008 is what kind of coach will Zorn become? With a surprise choice like Zorn comes increased scrutiny.
“He doesn’t seem like a [rookie coach],” linebacker London Fletcher said. “He relies on his coaching staff to coach, but he’s his own man. The main thing that sticks out is his honesty.”
That honesty has won praise.
“He puts it on the players,” running back Clinton Portis said. “Coach [Joe] Gibbs always felt like it was his fault. That’s what made it so hard to let Coach Gibbs down. Coach Zorn, he’s gonna take the blame, but at the same time he’s gonna let the team know we need to step up.”
Another player said, “The question is when [stuff] goes wrong, how will he react to it?”
But special teams coach Danny Smith, who coached two seasons with Zorn in Detroit, said, “I’ve never seen him panic.”
After taking the job, Zorn spoke with Seattle coach Mike Holmgren, former pro and college coach Bobby Ross and ex-Bengals and Bucs coach Sam Wyche about what to expect.
Their advice?
“Keep it simple; don’t get bogged down by the minutia,” Zorn said. “When things happen you don’t want to freak out as thought this is the first time that’s happened to you.”
Which follows one common theme for new coaches: trying to do too much. One NFL source said he worried about Zorn being a head coach, calling plays and serving as quarterbacks coach.
“If I was new at this game I might feel unprepared,” Zorn said. “But I’m not. And I feel prepared.”
Other questions facing the Redskins
How will Jason Campbell fare? Campbell has been inconsistent; is that a function of learning yet another offense or simply who he is? He’s shown flashes and is athletic, but he’ll need a lot of help. It takes time to learn any offense; how much time will it take?
Can they stop the run? With two small pass-rushing ends, this could become a problem, something it wasn’t in 2007. And there’s a question at tackle. This could turn into a major issue. Too often this preseason the opposing linemen were getting to the linebackers.
How will the offense fare in the West Coast attack? One worry is the receivers. The rookie wideouts are either hurt or incapable of contributing. That puts an extra burden on little guys Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El to produce and stay healthy. But the running game, which stays the same as last year, should be fine. Clinton Portis could be in position for a big year.
Can the offensive line hold up? Are they an aging group or a solid veteran one? They’ve looked like both during the summer. Every starter is over 30 years old (unless Stephon Heyer unseats Jon Jansen at right tackle) and at times they look their age. For the offense to be diverse, the line must show it can block long enough for deep drops.
Will they make the playoffs? It’s hard to project them as anything other than a fringe playoff team. Considering they have the least proven coach and quarterback in the NFC East, they’re in a tough spot. Their first five games — with three division games on the road — will tell an awful lot. To make the playoffs, they must stay healthy defensively — there’s little depth at line and linebacker — and protect Campbell. Otherwise, they’re staring at a seven-win season.
