Did We Really Expect That Much of Jim Zorn?
The days are getting a lot colder for Jim Zorn here in Washington, and its not just because the Mid-Atlantic is doing its best imitation of the Great North West as of late. The Washington Redskins are playing like one of the worst teams in the NFL, after spending the first half of the season as one of its best.
There have been public tirades from players, the usual blogger lamentations, and of course, general confusion on how the Redskins have sustained such a monumental collapse over the last few games. But truth be told, Zorn has exceed his expectations as a first year head coach in Washington, and any outcries for a change are far removed from what we expected when he arrived.
Remember when Jim Zorn was surprisingly announced as head coach? Remember ‘Maroon and Black?’ In those days, 5-11 would have been a dream. But then Zorn rips off some quality wins, beats the Cowboys and Hip Hip Hoorays his way into our hearts, and the Bandwagon is all hitched up and speeding towards the Super Bowl.
Perhaps this fan base has been in a funk too long, but we’ve got to realize that Zorn has held up his end of the bargain. Who knew that Jason Taylor would not pan out? Who knew that every draft pick not named Colt Brennan would be a bust? No one.
But we also didn’t know that Jim Zorn would reinvigorate the offense, manage personalities, and put the Redskins in the chase for the NFC East in just his first season removed from being a quarterbacks coach.
Even with the epic fail of the last few games, the bigger picture is that Jim Zorn has accomplished a lot in year one. The only thing more shameful than not recognizing and appreciating that fact would be if Daniel Snyder pulls the trigger on the best weapon he’s brought in since he bought the team.
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“Who knew that Jason Taylor would not pan out? Who knew that every draft pick not named Colt Brennan would be a bust? No one.”
Were you awake during the signings of Deion Sanders and Bruce Smith? The draft picks of Heath Shuler and Michael Westbrook? The Redskins turned into a joke of a franchise long ago. I for one saw this coming from a million miles away.
Even with those free agent busts, you still have the London Fletchers and Todd Collins that actually work out. So you couldn’t have seen it coming from but so far.
[...] • Thank goodness for that: Is anyone really that surprised with how the Jim Zorn Era has begun? Hey, Steve Spurrier isn’t walking through that door. [Stet Sports] [...]
Who knew that every draft pick not named Colt Brennan would be a bust? No one.
Chris Horton is standing right behind you, and he looks pissed.
Yeah…That’s quite an omission.
[...] Sports Blog does a good job working the positive spin on Jim Zorn’s first year here, and it’s a pretty compelling [...]
Give JZ a break!!! He’s a decent guy in a tough profession… no one had any doubts about him when he was 6-2; he was almost deified, if I remember correctly!!! Just remember Joe Gibbs was 8-8 his first season…..JZ is FAR from the “worst coach in the NFL”—-
give the guy some slack…….seriously…..
Who know that JT Wouldn’t pan out??? Who’s wise idea was it to put him at the RDE, instead of his PRO BOWL POSITION of LDE??? And for who?? ANDRE CARTER? Give me a break — get rid of carter — talk about someone who hasn’t panned out — put JT back to LDE, Evans and Phillip Daniels split time at RDE, draft some youth at DE to learn and mature under phillip daniels and JT
Plus, when JT was healthy, he played solid against the run and batted down quite a few passes. Can’t help that he nearly lost his leg with that swelling.
JZ is the man — he’ll right the ship
I concur about Jim Z. he has done a pretty good job considering and yes leaving out Horton is a big omission. Colt didn’t even get on the field dude. He might not be able to play who knows I’d like to find out before the season is through. I heard a rumor that Mike Holmgren could be coming here to be a GM. This sounds to good to be true but it would make all kinds of sense. It’s unlikely Snyder would replace his buddy Vinny.
avacat730 , I’m with you on this one. It’s as if we’re so desprite to win a superbowl that many forget that it takes time to have the right personel and chemestry to turn our team into a winning franchise. If we get ride of Zorn this year, we start all over again. We need stability in order to have success. I’m impressed with Zorn and I say he stays to really showcase his potential talent as an NFL head coach.
Amen, I agree completely. If Zorn loses his job its a example of the cluster our front office is and how loyal they are. Jack Kent Cooke would have been pleased, but what does he know, just 3 Superbowl Titles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If Snyder fires Zorn after one season he may as well fold the franchise. No one is going to want to come here and coach an aging team with an at best 2nd tier quarterback; a defensive line that gets absolutely no push in pass rush; a player development operation that wastes 4 draft picks on 3 invisible receivers/tight end and a punter knowing that he might have only one year to right the ship. Snyder could not get Sam Wyche or Rod Marinelli to come here an coach if he fires Zorn. As much as I have been devastated by the team’s second half collapse, for the sake of the viability of the franchise, Zorn has to be given some more time. And he has to be dealt a better hand by the player personnel department.
Way to skew perspective and completely let the coach off the hook for his monumentally horrid second half. You know the one. The one where we’ve won one game, and not gotten our offense off the ground at all. The one where the players seemed to quit on their coach.
Please explain what makes JZ “the best weapon” Snyder’s brought into town. With what evidence?
Zorn came out of nowhere and gave the Redskins an offensive identity the team hadn’t seen since Gibbs’ first go-round. Injuries have decimated the team, and lack of execution on offense, but seven wins as a first year head coach ain’t bad. 8-8 is not bad for this guy or this team, because if they began the season 2-6 and ripped off five wins in their last six, everyone would be advocating to keep him.
What coach do you think would’ve gotten Skins players and fans believing that playoffs and a Super Bowl were possible? If I recall correctly, Joe Gibbs didn’t even have that kind of promise in his return. So who else could have done it? Bill Cowher?
[...] John Harbaugh and Jim Zorn were two unknowns who came out of the shadow of position coaching to score head coaching gigs with two proud franchises. The Redskins were searching for the one who would replace Joe Gibbs as a long term fix. Someone who would take the front office chaos and create a masterpiece. They found him in Zorn, and while the latter part of the season has been more rocky than folks would like, the possibility of 8-8 or better is not a bad proposition in Year One. [...]
[...] melancholy interlude is lulling us all away from pro basketball and into the sights and sounds of Jim Zorn rumors. Share and [...]