Highlights from Jim Zorn’s post-practice press conference today, including his reaction to Steve Largent’s comments on a Seattle radio station. Just know that Zorn has a lot of friends in the NFL; the Redskins front office, and management, does not. So don’t be surprised if more of these sorts of attacks continue. Have to say, this has been one of the craziest stories to cover on this beat — and there have been some daffy ones in the past 15 years.
Here’s how bad it is now: nobody asked Zorn about the quarterback situation today.
Anyway, here are the highlights:
…On buddy Largent saying Zorn considered quitting after getting the play-calling duties stripped (Zorn on Monday said he did not consider doing so): “That’s probably his thoughts on the process. I don’t really know what he said.”
…On Largent calling the situation a joke: “Friends get fired up for friends….I’ll have to go bust him. I haven’t talked to him for a while.”
…On LT Chris Samuels, who flew out to California today to see a spinal specialist — where he’ll likely have his fate finalized: “We wanted to do all our due diligence so he could make intelligent decisions on all the what-ifs. It’s forward thinking by Dan [Snyder] to say, ‘Let’s check him out in person.”
Our words: This does not look good at all for Samuels, who already has been checked out locally. But it seems by now everyone knows it doesn’t look good.
…Zorn also said it was weird for him not to run the installation meetings for the offense; instead Sherman Lewis was doing it, at least when it came to the passing game. He’s installing the pass patterns.
…The way the plays will be called has change slightly since Monday. Lewis will be in the booth and now will relay the call to offensive coordinator Sherman Smith, who will relay it to quarterback Jason Campbell.
…Lewis (who declined comment) does not know all the protection schemes or blitz pick-ups, a problem considering that’s a rather big part of calling plays. Zorn, however, is in charge installing the blitz packages and protection schemes. All of it will be on the playsheet in the coach’s box.
…Zorn also said his comfort level with this arrangement has not changed since it was originally proposed. He said he’s handling it as best he can.
“I need to have composure and understand the reality of the situation is,” he said. “I have to always focus in on the fact, my players epxect me to rise up. We expect them to play under adverse conditions. We expect them to risk it all. That’s my point to our team, is that I’m here for them. I have to make sure I give them what they need. I’m conscious of what’s going on. I’m not naive about what’s going on. Yet I have to just hold back on any feelings and make good decisions and that’s where I’m at.”
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