Thoughts after minicamp?

[Paintrain]

Of course we weren't there and are so thirsty for any kind of news about our beloved Redskins that anything resembling actual football excites us, but what are your thoughts after this weekend?

One positive thing I took from reading the players and coaches comments about Zorn is that they are excited and re-energized by him. It seems by the comments of the weekend (especially the offensive players) Gibbs 2.0 was a stifling environment and didn't let the players do what they did best. In a 3 day span there were comments from Randle-El, Moss, Cooley, Jansen, Portis, Campell, Samuels and Thomas all referring to the offense 'opening up' and 'letting players make plays'. If Campbell develops, even a little bit from where he left off last year, he should be dynamite with the weapons he has.

To a man, the defense seemed happy about working with Blache in a simplified system that allows them to make plays as well. There is such a thing as 'over coaching' your players.

The obvious negative was the Fred Davis situation. Zorn can turn that into a positive by the way he handles it behind closed doors and we'll see if we have more instances along these lines or if it becomes a one time thing.

Overall I'm stoked and wish training camp started today!

[freddyg12]

I think a certain herd mentality has surfaced among the offensive players about Zorn & the WCO. It may be that they are all excited for a change, or just that their expectations are now higher.

Even though it's a new system, I actually feel good about the offense & think that we'll score more & stay in games w/the O. However, the more I think about it, there is little to no improvement on D to this point & that is troubling. Given the age of numerous starters & the lack of depth behind them, I'm thinking our D. is likely to regress this year. Not to mention, Blache might be good, but he's no GW.

There is still time to pick up some additional players, and who knows, maybe a couple young guys are ready to step up more, e.g. Wilson, Torrence, Eubanks, but I wouldn't count on that too much. We're really going to need Rogers & McIntosh to be able to come back near full strength, cause there are certainly going to be injuries on that side of the ball to the older guys.

[Defensewins]

The NFL version of the West coast offense takes time to master. I expect the offense to be more pass happy, but that may not translate into more wins right away. Campbell needs time to get comfortable in the entire play book, not just the condensed one they are working on right now. Expect some growing pains.

[Beemnseven]

It's a minor point, and probably not one that many people care about, but I noticed that Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas were wearing jersey numbers 11 and 12. Maybe those are strictly mini-camp numbers, and will change to a number in the eighties once the season begins. But I also saw that Fred Davis had #86.

I've never been a fan of wideouts who choose a jersey number outside of 80-89. Weird, I know. I guess I have OCD with that kind of thing. The NFL did make an official change recently to allow WRs to wear numbers between 11-19 if all the eighties numbers were taken up. With more and more tight ends on rosters these days, that was apparently becoming a problem enough for the league to change its policy. I just wish they moved the tight ends out and put them in the 40's or something, like Cooley.

Oh well. Guess I'll have to get over it. Because it doesn't look like that's going to change anytime soon.

[Daseal]

I think Portis' yards per run will go up significantly with more passing in the WCO. We need to be patient with Zorn. Jump from QB coach to head coach is huge, and a brand new offense may be hard to do in one year. The more I hear about him the more I like him and I think our offense will be better.

[SC Skins Fan]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

It's a minor point, and probably not one that many people care about, but I noticed that Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas were wearing jersey numbers 11 and 12. Maybe those are strictly mini-camp numbers, and will change to a number in the eighties once the season begins. But I also saw that Fred Davis had #86.

I've never been a fan of wideouts who choose a jersey number outside of 80-89. Weird, I know. I guess I have OCD with that kind of thing. The NFL did make an official change recently to allow WRs to wear numbers between 11-19 if all the eighties numbers were taken up. With more and more tight ends on rosters these days, that was apparently becoming a problem enough for the league to change its policy. I just wish they moved the tight ends out and put them in the 40's or something, like Cooley.

Oh well. Guess I'll have to get over it. Because it doesn't look like that's going to change anytime soon.

I actually agree with you, but assume this was the players' choice since 84 and 85 (the numbers they held up at the pressers) were open. Technically, tight ends can move to 40-49 if the 80's are taken just as receivers can go to 11-19.

[redsk1]

I think the offense's excitement is probably a little bit of Zorns system and a little bit of excitement over not being in Gibbs system anymore.

It's good to have some football to talk about (even if it's minicamp).

[doman29@hotmail.com]

Exactly im excited about REDSKINS talk but I don't agree with you on that the redskins might not do well I think 10-6 or 11-5 Zorn bring enthusiam too this team. As I hat to say this but it is true Gibbs secong go around was very boring

[SeanTaylor21]

NFL Photos: 2008 Minicamps - Washington Redskins

Not really thoughts about minicamp, but I just wanted people to see pics from minicamp, and pic 15/21 is a nice looking pic with ARE on the left, Santana in the middle, and Malcolm Kelly on the right.

[SouperMeister]

Originally Posted by Defensewins

The NFL version of the West coast offense takes time to master. I expect the offense to be more pass happy, but that may not translate into more wins right away. Campbell needs time to get comfortable in the entire play book, not just the condensed one they are working on right now. Expect some growing pains.

The WRs also will need time to absorb this new philosophy. I don't expect the offense to be humming at peak efficiency until the middle of year 2 under Zorn. I fully expect growing pains this season, and will accept them happily with the promise of a more wide open attack that will be extremely difficult to defend down the road.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by Defensewins

The NFL version of the West coast offense takes time to master. I expect the offense to be more pass happy, but that may not translate into more wins right away. Campbell needs time to get comfortable in the entire play book, not just the condensed one they are working on right now. Expect some growing pains.

Originally Posted by SouperMeister

The WRs also will need time to absorb this new philosophy. I don't expect the offense to be humming at peak efficiency until the middle of year 2 under Zorn. I fully expect growing pains this season, and will accept them happily with the promise of a more wide open attack that will be extremely difficult to defend down the road.

See, I think the 'growing pains' tend to be overblown to a point. Personally, I'm tired of the excuses. I'm not saying I expect 35 points a game or anything, but these guys are professionals. No offensive system is identical to be sure, but it's not like they're 4 year-olds trying to learn Mandarin Chinese.

The New Orleans Saints seemed to adapt rather quickly to Sean Payton's quirky, wide open offense with a new quarterback and a rookie wideout. Maybe they are the exception to the rule, but as SmootSmack said awhile back, perhaps Zorn's West Coast system is precisely the type of offensive philosophy these guys are suited for.

Let's hope anyway.

[Skinny Tee]

Originally Posted by doman29@hotmail.com

Exactly im excited about REDSKINS talk but I don't agree with you on that the redskins might not do well I think 10-6 or 11-5 Zorn bring enthusiam too this team. As I hat to say this but it is true Gibbs secong go around was very boring

I suppose winning the last 4 games of the regular season to go to the playoffs in 2 different seasons is also boring...and maybe downing the ball 3 consecutive snaps in a row to cement a victory is boring too.

Gibbs conserves wins. He got us in the playoffs twice in 4 years. Every coach since Gibbs 1.0 has only put us in the playoffs once in 12 years.



Boring or not, making the playoffs is exciting.

[doman29@hotmail.com]

I Think Our Defense Will Be In The Top 10 Maybe Even Top 5

[heybigstar]

Originally Posted by doman29@hotmail.com

I Think Our Defense Will Be In The Top 10 Maybe Even Top 5

Hey man, not going to fault you for optimism... If our defense is that good, we should def. be in the playoffs..

While I think we have enough playmakers in our secondary (I think Landry is going to be a pro bowl starter this year), our front 7 could give be in trouble due to age and injuries.

[JWsleep]

I like the vibe, though this is the honeymoon period, no doubt. But, like most folks, I was very taken with Zorn's style. He's got a unique way about him. I can see why he's a rising star in the coaching ranks, though this is a big transition. (BTW, didn't Andy Reid go from QBs to head coach, after being under Holmgren? Just a thought...) There is no doubt that Zorn is a great teacher, and he also really seems to get into the details. How he'll be calling plays and making the big decisions, we'll see.

As for the offense, I think the transition will be quicker. We're keeping a fair bit of our run scheme, plus CP thrives in this kind of spread offense (or he did...). And JC had his best year in this kind of system, and we saw that he did well with the cuffs off in the no-huddle last year. The timing and all will be tougher, but it's not like it's a 700 page playbook or anything

On the D, I think we'll be pretty good, but I agree that injuries are a big concern. We're going to need at least one Antonio Pierce type story, or maybe two, I think, to get through this year. Let's hope that some no-name blue collar guys step up and help. But LL looks strong, and London will have em all in the right places at least. We'll see.

I hope it starts quick, but if it doesn't, I hope Danny and Vinny (and the more volatile members of this board) stick with Zorn and let him develop. Rome wasn't built in a day or even a season. 2.5-3 seasons at least IMO, but that's rare indeed in today's NFL.

Is it time for training camp yet???