The Wheel of Misfortune comes to Redskins Park.
Coach Jim Zorn, executive vice president Vinny Cerrato and assistant coaches are alternating targets for the poor finish. Where the blame lies after the Dec. 28 finale could decide who leaves, but an emerging scenario has Zorn surviving while some assistants leave.
It is an ever-changing blame game. Some days Zorn looks out, other times Cerrato is the bad guy. But Cerrato has endured challenges before, and to be fair he’s often following Dan Snyder’s orders. It’s hard to believe Snyder’s long-time lieutenant will be fired despite long-time fan discontentment over rocky drafts and trades.
The emerging scapegoat may be several assistants to allow Zorn’s hiring of a few allies. Maybe some of his former Seattle associates come loose following coach Mike Holmgren’s retirement. Zorn inherited a Snyder-picked staff with only three assistants chosen by the head coach. It wouldn’t be as hard on Zorn to make changes given they aren’t his guys while the case could be made Zorn might benefit in his second season being around his own people.
Snyder forced changes among assistants before. Defensive coordinator Mike Nolan wasn’t re-signed by Snyder when his contract expired in 2000 over Turner’s objections. Special teams coach LeCharls McDaniel was fired along with Turner with three games remaining in 2000 after Turner rebuffed the owner’s attempt on his assistant weeks earlier.
Somebody will pay for the fall from 6-2 to 7-7 as the team plays two remaining games with near-zero postseason chance. Team sources say Snyder’s actions remain uncertain amid heavy fan resentment over the freefall.
Ironically, firejimzorn.com by “Brett B,” a 25-year-old seminary student in Chicago, includes, “It is not all Jim Zorn’s fault, like I said when I started this site, Zorn has been put in a position to fail. Brett’s “Fire Jim Zorn” video on YouTube.com includes screaming he was born into this mess and can’t stop loving the team.
Amen, say Redskins fans. Discontentment over the team’s downfall since the 1991 championship has spiked. Redskins fans aren’t packing FedEx Field anymore. More than 20,000 Steelers fans attended the Pittsburgh game while Giants backers were the only ones left in the final minutes. Thousand of tickets are available through online venues versus Philadelphia on Sunday with nearby Eagles fans sure to negate the home-field edge on Sunday.
The final two games mean nothing, but they mean everything over who stays for 2009.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
