D.C. Examiner: Zorn's job in jeopardy? (not so fast he's coming back)

[SmootSmack]

More than anything, Snyder wanted Schottenheimer to focus on coaching the team and he was trying to hire a general manager. Remember, we were close to getting Beathard back. But no one wanted to come so long as they didn't have control over the scouting department, the draft board, etc. (all stuff that Marty oversaw and wouldn't give up).

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

More than anything, Snyder wanted Schottenheimer to focus on coaching the team and he was trying to hire a general manager. Remember, we were close to getting Beathard back. But no one wanted to come so long as they didn't have control over the scouting department, the draft board, etc. (all stuff that Marty oversaw and wouldn't give up).

Nor should he have had to. The contract stated Marty had complete control. Danny didn't like that, so he went back on his word and attempted to get Marty to void key terms of the contract. Schottenheimer stood his ground -- just as the contract said he could.

Danny made Beathard a bullsh*t offer to make it appear that every effort was made to get him here. Bottom line was that the Boy Owner couldn't stand not having his greasy little hands in the mix along with Vinny back as his right-hand man. Then Spurrier came along.

And the rest was misery, er ...history.

[MTK]

Cerrato Says Zorn Will Return as Redskins Coach in 2009 - washingtonpost.com

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Cerrato Says Zorn Will Return as Redskins Coach in 2009 - washingtonpost.com

Very good article. Good news IMO (although I hope this isn't the dreaded "vote of confidence" that happens before many an axe has been dropped). Cerrato's take on things is spot-on. I wish the "Cerrato's an idiot" crowd would read this article objectively.

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33

Very good article. Good news IMO (although I hope this isn't the dreaded "vote of confidence" that happens before many an axe has been dropped). Cerrato's take on things is spot-on. I wish the "Cerrato's an idiot" crowd would read this article objectively.

Before the Philly game, rumor had it Zorn was out. Vinnys "support" for Zorn was very weak and left many with the feeling that Zorn really was about to get fired.... so now let me get this straight:

-we beat Philly 10-3.
-We were inches away from a tied game going into overtime.
-Zorns playcalling was horrible.
-Campbell was throwing bad passes all day.
-Andy Reid foolishly abandoned the run early, keeping us in the game.
-The Philly receivers couldnt catch a cold and were dropping passes left and right, keeping us in the game.
-Our defense played an incredible game, holding one of the leagues most potent offenses to a mere field goal, keeping us in the game.
-Our offense had the ball in great field position half a dozen times and could only score 1 TD

... but we won, so NOW Zorns job is now safe? what the heck?!?

If THIS win tipped the scales in favor of Zorn, then Cerrato definitely needs to be fired. This offense, Zorns offense, is just as bad as it has been all year. While the league has adapted to Zorn, Zorn hasnt adapted to the league - This is why our offense has gotten WORSE as the season has progressed, not better. Cerrato said Zorn is learning? - where is the evidence of that. Zorn is a clown and needs to go. If we bring in a guy like Holmgren to continue the WCO here, then Campbell needs to go too. He is not a WCO QB and he never will be. he may not even be a QB qualified to start in the NFL.

The only reason I think Zorn will stay is becuase Cerrato and Zorn are tied at the hip. Before the season, Cerrato said he and Zorn had two years or they would BOTH be out of their jobs... the only bright side i can see to keeping Zorn is it means - when he fails next year, he -and most importantly, Cerrato- will both be gone forever.

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

This offense, Zorns offense, is just as bad as it has been all year. While the league has adapted to Zorn, Zorn hasnt adapted to the league - This is why our offense has gotten WORSE as the season has progressed, not better. Cerrato said Zorn is learning? - where is the evidence of that. Zorn is a clown and needs to go. If we bring in a guy like Holmgren to continue the WCO here, then Campbell needs to go too. He is not a WCO QB and he never will be. he may not even be a QB qualified to start in the NFL.

It's interesting that when you look at Jason Campbell's QB rating numbers it confirms what can be seen about the offense....against good defenses the OL is overmatched. JC has played well this year, he's made a lot of plays either by a quick release or movement in (or out of) the pocket that could've ended in disaster. His turn-overs are down and overall his QB rating is up, despite the OL being in much worse shape than last year. Is he an elite QB, not yet, just as Cerrato mentioned. But it's pretty damn hard to be an effective QB behind and OL that is struggling. Didn't Peyton Manning have troubles early in the year while his OL was battling to overcome injuries and get in a good groove.

I'm so tired of the catch-phrases that get thrown out on the Skins post-game and here as well: "Zorn hasn't adapted", "Zorn's playcalling is terrible"....you try to call an offense at any level with a struggling OL, it's no fun. Has Zorn been perfect, No, but he hasn't been "terrible". On a A-E scale his playcalling has been in the B-C range.

Let's look at reality here, we'll finish either 8-8 or 9-7. A Pete Kendell fumble and a poor first half against CIN don't happen and we're 10-6 or 11-5. This is with a new HC, an unproven young QB, a defense with no real playmakers in the front 7, and a secondary that was questionable in the pre-season.

I'd say the coaching staff and players have probably overachieved this year. We need changes made in both the coaching staff and with player personnel to get better, but firing Cerrato and/or Zorn would be a ridiculously bad move this off-season.

[irish]

Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33

It's interesting that when you look at Jason Campbell's QB rating numbers it confirms what can be seen about the offense....against good defenses the OL is overmatched. JC has played well this year, he's made a lot of plays either by a quick release or movement in (or out of) the pocket that could've ended in disaster. His turn-overs are down and overall his QB rating is up, despite the OL being in much worse shape than last year. Is he an elite QB, not yet, just as Cerrato mentioned. But it's pretty damn hard to be an effective QB behind and OL that is struggling. Didn't Peyton Manning have troubles early in the year while his OL was battling to overcome injuries and get in a good groove.

I'm so tired of the catch-phrases that get thrown out on the Skins post-game and here as well: "Zorn hasn't adapted", "Zorn's playcalling is terrible"....you try to call an offense at any level with a struggling OL, it's no fun. Has Zorn been perfect, No, but he hasn't been "terrible". On a A-E scale his playcalling has been in the B-C range.

Let's look at reality here, we'll finish either 8-8 or 9-7. A Pete Kendell fumble and a poor first half against CIN don't happen and we're 10-6 or 11-5. This is with a new HC, an unproven young QB, a defense with no real playmakers in the front 7, and a secondary that was questionable in the pre-season.

I'd say the coaching staff and players have probably overachieved this year. We need changes made in both the coaching staff and with player personnel to get better, but firing Cerrato and/or Zorn would be a ridiculously bad move this off-season.

I agree with everything you said except for JC becomming an effective QB. He's just not an accurate enough passer and needs his receivers to be really open (2+ steps) when he does hit them for him to ever be a truely effective QB.

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33

Very good article. Good news IMO (although I hope this isn't the dreaded "vote of confidence" that happens before many an axe has been dropped). Cerrato's take on things is spot-on. I wish the "Cerrato's an idiot" crowd would read this article objectively.

I agree Sammy. Good article. Let's see how things are handled this year as far as addressing our needs. I still think our draft could turn out to be very good.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Cerrato Says Zorn Will Return as Redskins Coach in 2009 - washingtonpost.com

That's the right move

[MTK]

I think this says it all:

Cerrato said he is confident Zorn, whom he strongly recommended to team owner Daniel Snyder for the Redskins' head coaching vacancy last winter, is "learning and he's improving. Just how rookie players learn and improve, same type of steps. He's making progress."

Zorn probably wasn't in any real danger, not as long as Vinny is around.

[30gut]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I think this says it all:

Zorn probably wasn't in any real danger, not as long as Vinny is around.

Yeah, the local sports media and some Redskins boards (not this site) hype up a story w/o any real evidence.

[PennSkinsFan]

Zorn to Return in 2009, Unfortunately so is Cerrato | DC Pro Sports Report -- Sports news, stats and analysis from the capital of the free world

Here is our article and opinion. Jim Zorn is not the issue, the guy that made the statements IS the issue.

[irish]

As long as DS is the owner VC will be there because no decent GM or football man would want to put up with him.

[SmootSmack]

His job was allegedly precarious not for any of the on-field stuff, thought that still leaves a lot to be desired. The issue was more so how things were in the locker room, and they've supposedly improved. Obviously a win helps, but I'm just glad that the front office seems to be allowing the staff and players to work through things.

I still think Cerrato will be less involved this off-season and completely removed next off-season, but i don't think he'll be fired from the organization.

[shack]

Cerrato said he is confident Zorn, whom he strongly recommended to team owner Daniel Snyder for the Redskins' head coaching vacancy last winter, is "learning and he's improving. Just how rookie players learn and improve, same type of steps. He's making progress."

On the job training for our head coach, this is a first. A head coaching internship in the NFL. So how many years is he away? 1, 2, 3? Can we send Zorn to night school at the local community college, is NFL head coach part of the curriculum? I've never been anti Cerrato and I think Daniel Snyder is the best owner in football. But if Zorn is not ready to be the head coach of the Redskins then it was a bad hire.

The only progress I want to hear of is that of Phillip Daniels and other players on IR. How's Malcolm Kelly's knee, is it progressing?

My post here is not about retaining nor firing Jim Zorn. I'd like to see the Redskins hire the best possible players and coaches in order to win. For example; our first draft choice in the upcoming draft must be a starter! What we got form Devin Thomas this year set the franchise back, and I don't blame him for that I blame Zorn and his rookie hazing. I think Thomas has a lot of fire and talent and wasn't a bad pick.

We're brining Zorn back, ok fine by me. I just hope his on the job training is complete.