Kudos to Dan Snyder and Vinny Cerrato

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

What did Philly do to leapfrog over the Skins?

IMO, it's what they didn't have happen to them... a head coaching change.

I agree with the premise of this thread, that the Skins had a good offseason. But that was in light of making the best of a bad situation: the best coach this team has ever had just retired.

I cannot see how Gibbs retiring can result in a better record for us next season. I just can't. It would make no sense.

Now give Zorn a year and if he's any good, he might have an Andy Reid or Mike Holmgren offense up and running around here. Assuming the defense stays solid, we may be in a better place in 2009. But for 2008, you have to figure the learning curve will hurt us.

We had a good offseason because we made very level-headed moves and made a smart coaching hire. But even the best coaches USUALLY need some time for the learning curve. I think we're in for a basement finish this season. I'm just looking for signs that we'll do real well in 2009.

That said, I'm still praying that Zorn ends up like Sean Payton circa 2006.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

IMO, it's what they didn't have happen to them... a head coaching change.

I agree with the premise of this thread, that the Skins had a good offseason. But that was in light of making the best of a bad situation: the best coach this team has ever had just retired.

I cannot see how Gibbs retiring can result in a better record for us next season. I just can't. It would make no sense.

Now give Zorn a year and if he's any good, he might have an Andy Reid or Mike Holmgren offense up and running around here. Assuming the defense stays solid, we may be in a better place in 2009. But for 2008, you have to figure the learning curve will hurt us.

We had a good offseason because we made very level-headed moves and made a smart coaching hire. But even the best coaches USUALLY need some time for the learning curve. I think we're in for a basement finish this season. I'm just looking for signs that we'll do real well in 2009.

That said, I'm still praying that Zorn ends up like Sean Payton circa 2006.

From a leadership perspective I agree, but from an offensive point of view I can easily see us being much better. And isn't that what always seemed to hold the team back under Gibbs?

[724Skinsfan]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

IMO, it's what they didn't have happen to them... a head coaching change.

I agree with the premise of this thread, that the Skins had a good offseason. But that was in light of making the best of a bad situation: the best coach this team has ever had just retired.

I cannot see how Gibbs retiring can result in a better record for us next season. I just can't. It would make no sense.

Now give Zorn a year and if he's any good, he might have an Andy Reid or Mike Holmgren offense up and running around here. Assuming the defense stays solid, we may be in a better place in 2009. But for 2008, you have to figure the learning curve will hurt us.

We had a good offseason because we made very level-headed moves and made a smart coaching hire. But even the best coaches USUALLY need some time for the learning curve. I think we're in for a basement finish this season. I'm just looking for signs that we'll do real well in 2009.

That said, I'm still praying that Zorn ends up like Sean Payton circa 2006.

But Schneed, consider how many head coaching changes there have been after a "successful" season. Most head coaching changes are as a result of management fed up with the results of the previous coaching staff. Gibbs retired with the blessings of the owner, remnant coaching staff and the players, relatively speaking. We're not just some team in turmoil that is turning to Zorn to right the ship. This ship just completed her fairly successful maiden voyage after being dry-docked for a few years. [What's with the naval references?]
We lost two obviously critical pieces: the DC and the OC. As far as the OC position goes, Zorn himself will be calling the plays, I think, so not much of a conflict there. Blache may not be the genius that our other guy was but he does have previous DC experience (#1 in points alllowed in 2001), plus he's familiar with the current players.

I know it's a half-full way of looking at it but I don't think Zorn is here to correct a screwed up situation as is the case for most head coaching changes. He's here to not screw up an already good thing, which is a bit easier.

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by 724Skinsfan

But Schneed, consider how many head coaching changes there have been after a "successful" season. Most head coaching changes are as a result of management fed up with the results of the previous coaching staff. Gibbs retired with the blessings of the owner, remnant coaching staff and the players, relatively speaking. We're not just some team in turmoil that is turning to Zorn to right the ship. This ship just completed her fairly successful maiden voyage after being dry-docked for a few years. [What's with the naval references?]
We lost two obviously critical pieces: the DC and the OC. As far as the OC position goes, Zorn himself will be calling the plays, I think, so not much of a conflict there. Blache may not be the genius that our other guy was but he does have previous DC experience (#1 in points alllowed in 2001), plus he's familiar with the current players.

I know it's a half-full way of looking at it but I don't think Zorn is here to correct a screwed up situation as is the case for most head coaching changes. He's here to not screw up an already good thing, which is a bit easier.

Great point.. 3 of the more 'questionable' hires last offseason were Wade Phillips, Norv Turner (and talk about a screwed up process) and Mike Tomlin0a first time HC with less coaching experience than Zorn. How did that work out for all of them?

I've worn out the keys on my keyboard with this statement, but Zorn is taking over a team with 22 returning starters, changing only the passing game, returning 90% of the coaching staff and have players in key positions that are solid or on the rise. Of our key playmakers, an argument can be made that only Springs, Fletcher and maybe Moss are on the decline. I don't see the reasons for such pessimism.