In a stunning last-minute twist to a month-long search, the Redskins named newly-hired offensive coordinator Jim Zorn as their next coach on Feb. 9.
Redskins owner Dan Snyder and executive vice president Vinny Cerrato had interviewed seven candidates as possible replacements for coach Joe Gibbs, who retired on Jan. 8.
Snyder had hired Zorn, then the Seattle Seahawks quarterback coach, as coordinator on Jan. 26 while dismissing associate head coach Al Saunders, who called the plays the last two seasons.
Snyder's previous three head coach hires, Marty Schottenheimer, Steve Spurrier and Gibbs, all had long track records in those jobs. That led most NFL observers to believe that Snyder would choose either former New York Giants coach Jim Fassel or former San Francisco 49ers/Detroit Lions coach Steve Mariucci once the owner had found former Redskins assistant head coach Gregg Williams wanting and former Atlanta coach Jim Mora and Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo had withdrawn from consideration. Defensive coordinators Ron Meeks of Indianapolis and Jim Schwartz of Tennessee had also been interviewed.
"We knew of Jim's stellar offensive reputation, so we hired him as coordinator, but we also suspected he would be a strong candidate for head coach," Snyder said. "After our first six-hour interview with him, I told Joe (Gibbs), 'this guy would make a terrific head coach.' But we stayed true to our commitment to interview every candidate. ... Once we completed our interview with Steve Spagnuolo and concluded a day of discussion about all candidates, I called Jim (on Feb. 7) and asked him to meet for lunch. I told him we were considering him as the next head coach, and asked if he wanted to move forward. Without hesitation he said, 'absolutely,' and that's all I needed to hear."
Two days later, the 54-year-old Zorn, who has never run an NFL offense, let alone an entire team, had a five-year contract.
"I've always dreamed of being a head coach with a franchise rich in tradition like the Redskins," Zorn said. "I know about the history of this franchise as well as the passion of its fans. I won't let you down. ... I, like all Redskins fans, am a long-time admirer of Joe Gibbs. Thanks to him, today's Redskins have a solid foundation that will serve us well. I expect great things of our team, and hold myself accountable for providing the leadership to make us successful."
Zorn is a protigi of well-respected Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren like Philadelphia's Andy Reid, who has guided the Eagles to five division titles in nine seasons despite having never been even a coordinator prior to his surprise 1999 hiring. Another Holmgren protigi, Green Bay's Mike McCarthy, needed just two seasons to lead the Packers to their first NFC Championship Game in a decade. Jon Gruden, who coached the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to victory in the Super Bowl in 2002, is another former Holmgren assistant, as is Mariucci.
Under Zorn's tutelage, Matt Hasselbeck soared from a first-year starter with a 70.9 passer rating to a three-time Pro Bowl passer with 70 touchdowns and just 36 interceptions the last three years.
In the nine seasons before Zorn's 2001 return, Seattle made the playoffs just once while finishing 54-75. During his nine seasons, the Seahawks made the playoffs five times, won four NFC West titles and an NFC Championship and went 79-60. The Seahawks eliminated the Redskins from postseason in both 2005 and 2007.
After failing to make the Dallas Cowboys as a rookie free agent out of Cal Poly-Pomona in 1975, Zorn was the starting quarterback for the expansion Seahawks from day one in 1976. He remained the regular until he split the job with Dave Krieg in 1983. Zorn's playing days ended four years later after stops with Green Bay, Winnipeg of the CFL and Tampa Bay.
A Whittier, Cal. native, Zorn began his coaching career at Boise State in 1988. He also worked at Utah State and Minnesota before returning to the NFL as an offensive assistant in Seattle in 1997. After coaching quarterbacks for three years for Detroit, he rejoined the Seahawks in 2001.
NOTES, QUOTES
—Jim Zorn came across as more of an eager beaver than a soon-to-be 55-year-old during the press conference introducing him as the Redskins' coach. That was understandable since just three days earlier he had been a first-time offensive coordinator and just two weeks before that, he had been coaching Seattle's quarterbacks.
However, Zorn committed two serious gaffes during his welcome to Washington press conference.
He referred to the team's burgundy and gold colors — which predate his 1953 birth — as maroon and black. About time that the marketing twits who sell black Redskins gear paid for their sins.
And then Zorn praised the decision to start the Buffalo game five days after the death of Sean Taylor — with just 10 players on defense, leaving the Pro Bowl safety's position vacant in his memory.
Not only did that become an embarrassment to Zorn's predecessor, Joe Gibbs, who didn't know that assistant head coach/defense Gregg Williams had cooked that up, but Williams was fired on Jan. 26 by Redskins owner Dan Snyder.
"I thought to myself, 'Who could think something like that up to honor a man ... it's pretty awesome," Zorn said as Snyder squirmed.
—As soon as Redskins greats Darrell Green and Art Monk were elected to the Hall of Fame on Feb. 2, Snyder asked to have his team play in the Hall of Fame Game. That request was granted. Washington will meet Indianapolis on Aug. 3 in Canton, Ohio, a day after the induction ceremony. Offensive tackle Jon Jansen, who tore an Achilles' in that game four years ago, can't be looking forward to a return there.
—A Redskins source dampened but didn't totally dismiss the rumors that the team was interested in trading for unhappy Bengals Pro Bowl receiver Chad Johnson, who has said that he wants to play for Washington.
—General admission ticket prices at FedEx Field will remain the same in 2008. They have only increased once since 2000.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Jim knows his X's and O's, but he also has a way with people. He's a very good communicator. I think he'll be very good for (Redskins quarterback) Jason Campbell." — Hall of Fame receiver Steve Largent, Jim Zorn's close friend and favorite target from their nine seasons as Seattle teammates
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
TEAM NEEDS/OFFSEASON STRATEGY
Unlike most teams, which are looking ahead to the free agent market or trying to re-sign their own players before they hit free agency, the Redskins are doing their usual February dance.
Washington was $16 million over the cap at press time even after defensive end Andre Carter, receiver Antwaan Randle El and guard Randy Thomas reworked their deals to give the club about $6.5 million in cap relief.
Tight end Chrisey's deal was extended in September to be redone this month, saving about another $9 million, but negotiations with such high-priced players as offensive tackle Chris Samuels, running back Clinton Portis, defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin, offensive tackle Jon Jansen, linebacker London Fletcher, receiver Santana Moss and cornerback Shawn Springs are surely ongoing. All currently count for at least $5 million on the 2008 cap.
No 2007 regulars or expected 2008 regulars are free agents.
1. Defensive line: The line overachieved last season, but left end Phillip Daniels is turning 35 and left tackle Cornelius Griffin is beginning to wear down at 30. They need a pass rusher to complement right end Andre Carter. Backup Chris Wilson is swift but skinny.
2. Receiver: Santana Moss, a 2005 Pro Bowl pick, suffers from recurring muscle pulls. He and fellow 5-10 receiver Antwaan Randle El caught just four TDs between hem in 2007. New coach Jim Zorn would like a bigger target to use over the middle in the West Coast offense.
3. Guard: Cornerback Carlos Rogers won't be ready for the start of the season and the Redskins need a capable backup OLB, but this is a bigger need since LG Pete Kendall will be 35 this year and RG Randy Thomas, 32, finished 2005 and 2007 on injured reserve.
MEDICAL WATCH: Redskins director of sports medicine Bubba Tyer said that contrary to what had been widely reported cornerback Carlos Rogers, who was injured in the Oct. 28 loss to the New England Patriots, isn't due back until September or October because he tore both his MCL and his ACL while weakside linebacker Rocky McIntosh, who was injured in the Dec. 16 victory over the New York Giants, is expected back in July because he only tore the ACL.
So Shawn Springs isn't going anywhere despite his $7.5 million cap number and there's less of a need for the Redskins to break the bank to sign free agent linebacker Lance Briggs of the Bears, for whom they almost traded last offseason.
—Quarterback Jason Campbell (knee), offensive tackle Jon Jansen (leg) and guard Randy Thomas (triceps), the other starters who finished last season on injured reserve, have been fully cleared to resume workouts.
Here is the format for player movement in the offseason:
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
—LS Ethan Albright was chosen for his first Pro Bowl after another stellar season. Albright, who'll be 37, will almost surely be back for another 1-year deal under the 10-year veteran's minimum exception.
—DT Ryan Boschetti didn't play a snap last year and stuck around only because he works so hard. Even the minimum salary is a push for the former rookie free agent.
—WR Reche Caldwell played very little in his first couple of months after being signed in September. Caldwell, 29, had six catches for 67 yards in the final two games and could be back with a cheap contract.
—KR/RB Rock Cartwright is a leader on special teams and in the locker room but he won't get the carries he wants with Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts in front of him. Although special teams coach Danny Smith is back, the 2002 seventh-rounder might leave for the best offer.
—QB Todd Collins emerged from a decade of obscurity to lead the Redskins to the playoffs while being named the NFC's Offensive Player of the Month for December. But Collins is 36 and might want to reunite with mentor Al Saunders in St. Louis or try to find a team (Atlanta?) that will give him a chance to compete for the starting job.
—G Rick DeMulling was signed in September, cut in November and re-signed in December. He played sparingly in six games and will only return with a minimum contract.
—OL Jason Fabini, a career tackle, got off to a slow start after being thrown in at RG after Randy Thomas was hurt in Week 2. Fabini improved as the season progressed and could return as a backup at 34.
—P Derrick Frost followed a career year in 2006 with a great start in 2007 but tailed off noticeably. Frost, 27, will likely be re-signed but can expect more serious training camp competition.
—LB Randall Godfrey signed in training camp because of his history with assistant head coach Gregg Williams. Godfrey was a solid run defender while starting four games because of injuries to Marcus Washington and Rocky McIntosh. Godfrey, who mulled retirement last year, will be 35 in April and might choose to follow Williams to Jacksonville rather than return to the Redskins.
—TE Brian Kozlowski played in at least parts of the past four years for the Redskins. He was signed during the season in 2006 and 2007. he had one catch in three games last year and with Joe Gibbs gone, maybe the 37-year-old Koz is finally gone for good, too.
—CB David Macklin was a disappointment in his Washington debut, in part because he didn't fare well on special teams. Youngster Leigh Torrence beat out the former Indianapolis and Arizona starter to be the No. 4 corner and John Eubanks, promoted from the practice squad, played ahead of him for six weeks. Macklin will be just 30 this yea but could be done.
—WR Keenan McCardell was the Redskins' 12th-round pick in 1991. He finally made his Washington debut in October 2007. McCardell caught 22 passes in 10 games and doesn't plan to retire at 38. He has experience in the West Coast offense so perhaps new coach Jim Zorn wants him back.
—S Pierson Prioleau rebounded from missing all but the opening kickoff of 2006 with a knee injury to play regularly in dime defenses in 2007. However, Prioleau is small and not very fast. Like Godfrey, he might be more inclined to rejoin mentor Williams with the Jaguars than return to Washington where youngster Reed Doughty seems to have nailed down the starting job previously occupied by the late Sean Taylor.
—OL Mike Pucillo was the extra lineman in jumbo packages in 2006. However, Pucillo's surgically repaired back gave out in him in October and Lorenzo Alexander assumed his old role. Pucillo, who'll be 29 in July, will have to prove he's fully healthy to receive a new contract.
—S Omar Stoutmire played regularly as a backup in 2005 before signing with New Orleans where he started most of 2006. Stoutmire returned in 2007 but was cut and re-signed twice while playing sparingly in three games. Stoutmire will be 34 in July and is probably finished.
—OL Ross Tucker had a brief training camp shot to win the LG job opened by Derrick Dockery signing with Buffalo last March. Like all the hopefuls, Tucker fell short so the Redskins traded for Pete Kendall in August. The Princeton grad spent the year on I.R., has begun writing for CNNSI.com and running a business and doesn't plan to play again.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
—K Shaun Suisham will definitely be back after a strong first full season. He could well provide the stability at kicker the Redskins haven't had since Chip Lohmiller was cut in August 1995.
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