In Jim Zorn we trust!....

[DirtyLandry]

And here comes the battle of Old School and New School! The NFL is not the same game as it was 20 years ago. I don't care what anyone says. It's faster, more athletic, more aggressive and more convoluted. It's obvious that our players NOW are buying into what their being sold. Several of our key players including Clinton Portis have even been vocal about this in a round about way. I've met Joe Gibbs on numerous occasions and he's the best model for what we humans could be. But I have to agree with Hurrykaine. I believe a big part of his decision to retire was that he realized that the game has changed and he wasn't the man to take us all the way.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by hurrykaine

Yes...yes...thanks Joe for assembling and keeping together this bunch of character guys, but thanks also for stepping down when you realized you couldn't get us to the SB.

I think this is exactly right, and the greatness that is JG. He surely could have stayed, everyone wanted him to, but he knew that the Skins could do better. It takes a heck of a person to be willing to do that. And Zorn has been outstanding. He was chomping at the bit to be a coach, and the Redskins are lucky that Dan and Vinny took the chance on him.

[SeanTaGodsSafety]

Is it fair to even start comparing Gibbs and Zorny? but on a different note. Did anyone see Zorny when Devin Thomas Got called for interference. You could see him lip "come on Devin" then it looked like he was runnin from a fight and ran into someone on the sideline. Lets just all start living this moment up. We just freakin beat the two most hated teams in a row. I love what Gibbs did for this organation, But you old timers need to stop living in the past and give Zorny and the boys some credit. Sorry I started to rant

[Lady Brave]

Originally Posted by SeanTaGodsSafety

Is it fair to even start comparing Gibbs and Zorny? but on a different note. Did anyone see Zorny when Devin Thomas Got called for interference. You could see him lip "come on Devin" then it looked like he was runnin from a fight and ran into someone on the sideline. Lets just all start living this moment up. We just freakin beat the two most hated teams in a row. I love what Gibbs did for this organation, But you old timers need to stop living in the past and give Zorny and the boys some credit. Sorry I started to rant

Exactly. How about we wait four years and not five games before comparing the two.

As to your other point, the "old timers" aren't the ones who are continually bringing Gibbs up in the conversation. I'm completely content with praising Zorn without feeling the need to thank Gibbs in the same breath.

[Soup's Uncle]

Let's not argue fellas, Joe Gibbs was great. That was then, this is now. Let us bask in the greatness that is Jim Zorn. Hopefully he is the next legendary coach in the story of the Washington Redskins. Maybe he can lead us to the top in his time here. Who knows? We could lose every game for the rest of the season and he could be fired next year...

I don't think so though. I think our FO found us a gem...

[hurrykaine]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

I think this is exactly right, and the greatness that is JG. He surely could have stayed, everyone wanted him to, but he knew that the Skins could do better. It takes a heck of a person to be willing to do that. And Zorn has been outstanding. He was chomping at the bit to be a coach, and the Redskins are lucky that Dan and Vinny took the chance on him.

Agreed - very unselfish of Joe to clear the way for another coach to take the team that he built to the next level.

Lady Brave - I don't think posters are dying to take a swipe at Gibbs any which way they can - its only natural to compare your current coach with the last coach. Zorn might not come close to accomplishing what Gibbs achieved here, but the fact that his playcalling is in stark contrast to what we've seen under Gibbs does warrant calling out.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by hurrykaine

Agreed - very unselfish of Joe to clear the way for another coach to take the team that he built to the next level.

Lady Brave - I don't think posters are dying to take a swipe at Gibbs any which way they can - its only natural to compare your current coach with the last coach. Zorn might not come close to accomplishing what Gibbs achieved here, but the fact that his playcalling is in stark contrast to what we've seen under Gibbs does warrant calling out.

How much is it really though? I mean I agree there are differences, but we are pounding the ball (like Gibbs), using the motion offense (like Gibbs) albeit more judiciously, and last week in our clinching drive it was a pound it out drive that ended with a field goal (something we complained a lot about with Gibbs "Why isn't he going for the TD kill?!". Not to mention we seem to be converting more 3rd and short plays on the ground than in previous years.

Gibbs should get credit for restoring pride in the franchise and putting the next coach in position to succeed. Zorn, as the next coach, should get credit for taking what has been given to him and improving upon it (to this point in his very brief career). One doesn't have to be put down to elevate the other.

I think the biggest differences between the two is a) you know that this is Zorn's offense, as opposed to the Gibbs vs Saunders scenario and b) the players seem a bit more relaxed, almost like they didn't want to let a legend down so they played tight.

But bottom line, kudos to both of them.

[Lady Brave]

Originally Posted by hurrykaine

Lady Brave - I don't think posters are dying to take a swipe at Gibbs any which way they can - its only natural to compare your current coach with the last coach. Zorn might not come close to accomplishing what Gibbs achieved here, but the fact that his playcalling is in stark contrast to what we've seen under Gibbs does warrant calling out.

I think there are people who are dying to take a swipe at him, because any success Zorn has justifies any criticisms they ever had of Gibbs, no matter how insignifcant they might be.

I guess you haven't been reading the same things I have. I'm not speaking specifically of the members of this board. I frequent a lot of different sites and I've read lots of articles that all say the same thing praising Zorn and faulting Gibbs in the same sentence. I've got a lot of respect for Gibbs and I just think he deserves better. He overcame and suffered through a lot of things while he was here both personally and professionally. Again, I just think people lose sight of the big picture when evaluating Gibbs and I think that's a shame.

[beau_str]

When Gibbs retired didn't he say he would still be giving advice? Zorn and Gibbs have a lot in common. I think we are seening the second part of Gibbs now.

[artmonkforhallofamein07]

I do believe that Gibbs and Co. got this thing started. Turned around a losing culture. 2 of the last three years this team has been a playoff team. Gibbs brought in the character and talent. Buges installed the running game and help build our OLINE.

Zorn brought in fresh ideas and a new passing game. He has brought an aggressive attitude to the Offense that finally matches the intesity of our D. This has been a great combo. I really hope they keep winning and they don't start to get cocky. I think Zorn will be a good leader and it seems as though the team has really adopted an underdog every week type of mentality that has given them an edge.

3 Cheers for Zorn and the Redskins!! HIP HIP HOORAAY!!

Could we see coach of the week honors this week?
Hope about a FED EX ground award for Portis?

[JLee9718]

No one gave us a chance to beat the Eagles, and it's kind of fun to see them squirm as they try to justify their picks. Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, Michael Strahan, and Jimmy Johnson all picked the Eagles to win. They didn't give the Redskins a chance...But this is a completely different team from the ones that Coach Gibbs led on his second go around.

I love Joe Gibbs and the memories of the Redskins teams of the '80s and '90s. Jim Zorn isn't a better coach than Gibbs simply because he's winning. Rather, he's winning because this year he finally has a healthy offensive line and the offense is just plain playing with more confidence. And I love the way Zorn gets into each game and adds to the confidence of each player.

I think we have a better defensive coach now in Greg Blatche, because I think he, like Zorn, passes the credit for winning around to his assistants and his players. My day is complete...the Redskins beat the Eagles in Philadelphis, right after beating the Cowboys in Dallas.

[DirtyLandry]

A head coach leads his team into battle. However, a coach can only do so much. For an organization to be successful, you need all of the pieces. A good owner, good scouting, good head coach and coaching staff and of course good players. I think often times too much credit/blame is often put on the coach's shoulders.

[SFREDSKIN]

Originally Posted by Lady Brave

I think there are people who are dying to take a swipe at him, because any success Zorn has justifies any criticisms they ever had of Gibbs, no matter how insignifcant they might be.

I guess you haven't been reading the same things I have. I'm not speaking specifically of the members of this board. I frequent a lot of different sites and I've read lots of articles that all say the same thing praising Zorn and faulting Gibbs in the same sentence. I've got a lot of respect for Gibbs and I just think he deserves better. He overcame and suffered through a lot of things while he was here both personally and professionally. Again, I just think people lose sight of the big picture when evaluating Gibbs and I think that's a shame.

Lady Brave you are spot on. A lot of members in this forum were saying Campbell sucked and they wanted Colt, Jansen was washed up and we should cut him, this same folks were all over Zorn after the loss to the Giants. It's sad to have so many fair weather members on this forum and not appreciate what Gibbs has done for this franchise. I'll say it again, the difference between last year and this year is a healthy OL. Joe left us in great shape, enough said.

[JWsleep]

Gibbs righted the ship and built the team, not to mention the fact that Buges run game is a Gibbs product. And you saw it in action today. Finally, Gibbs went out on a limb to get JC.

But Kudos to Zorn for effectively blending his WC offense with what was best in JGs. And Zorn's ability to adapt to what the D gives reminds me a lot of Gibbs one. And the beautiful red zone calls the last few weeks! Boot to Yoder, perfectly timed draws to CP, the motion to Thrash that left Newman tangled in his own jock, and the killer ARE option pass off motion and a REVERSE! That's very sweet stuff.

Both coaches deserve credit here, but it's Zorn's team now. The buck stops with him, and he's been stepping up big time!

[Redskin Warrior]

This is how I feel about this Gibbs is a Hall of Fame coach, Super Bowl winner (3x) I'm only 23 years old born in 1985. So I was a little little one when Gibbs was coaching so didn't get to enjoy the 80's or 90's much really. Big props to Gibbs for getting the personnel that Zorn inherited. But Gibbs didn't have the connection with the same exact team that he Gibbs assembled. I don't think anyone will or would bash Gibbs especially after last year. To me last year performance speak louder volumes than Gibbs 1.0 with the three super bowls. Losing a teammate, friend, warrior in Sean T, his personal family matters, Injuries Rocky, Carlos, Campbell, Jansen, Thomas and others. But where Gibbs couldn't execute Zorn is executing and old heads have to give props to Zorn for that plus Zorn has even been a offensive coordinator, play caller or nothing before this he was literally thrown in the fire that's where he should get all the praise.