When the Redskins won four NFC titles and three Super Bowls from 1981-92 during coach Joe Gibbs' first Hall of Fame tenure, their only competition for NFL supremacy came from the San Francisco 49ers, who won four Super Bowls during those 12 seasons.
While Gibbs combined a smashmouth running attack with a downfield passing game, the 49ers of Bill Walsh and George Seifert were the masters of the quick-hitting West Coast offense.
Now after Gibbs' second retirement, the Redskins are finally going to go West under new coach Jim Zorn, a protigi of former Walsh offensive coordinator Mike Holmgren.
"This whole game, I believe, is about rhythm," Zorn said. "I don't think it's about hanging onto the ball until you see a guy already open and then (say robotically), 'He is open. I think I should throw him the ball.' Because in this game, you're going to get knocked down. You're going to get the ball knocked out of your hand."
Zorn agreed that he would like to add a taller receiver to sub-6-footers Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El, but the new coach is generally upbeat about fitting his skill position players into his scheme.
"We have speed," Zorn said. "Santana, I'm just hoping he's ready to go deep, to break routes off and catch a lot of footballs. He's a tremendous talent. ... In this particular offense, you've got to have a great inside receiver. Antwaan (tapping his head like a no-brainer), I'm just hoping that he really excels. You've got to have a great tight end to be able to become balanced. (Tight end) Chrisey is in the Pro Bowl."
Clinton Portis wasn't chosen for Hawaii, but he was third in the NFC in rushing in 2007 while catching a career-high 47 passes.
"If you have a running back that can come out of the backfield, he has to be able to get himself open," Zorn said. "The quarterback has to be able to look downfield and throw the ball to the running back, not sitting there waiting. If you have all those elements in place, it's very tough defensively."
NOTES, QUOTES
—After reworking the contracts of Pro Bowl tight end Chris
Washington then got under the cap on Feb. 27 by voiding Mark Brunell's contract, saving $3.4 million, although the 37-year-old quarterback could still return at a lower price.
Shifting
"It was no big deal," Carter said. "The money and the years stay the same."
—Zorn said that newly-hired offensive assistant Chris Meidt will work with the quarterbacks when he's unavailable.
"He'll be able to speak my language to the quarterbacks, but I'll be the teacher, on and off the field," Zorn said.
—Zorn's quarterbacks are in for some wacky drills.
Zorn had Tigers pitcher Frank Tanana show Detroit's quarterbacks how to slide when he was with the Lions in 1998 and he had Mariners first baseman John Olerud do the same for Seattle's quarterbacks in 2001. So expect Zorn to bring in one of the Nationals to show Jason Campbell and Co. how to get down, so to speak.
"People think I have all these goofy drills, but they really do mean something," Zorn said. "I like to use (a Slip N' Slide) for one practice in training camp before the first preseason game so they can get a feel for hitting the ground. Remember they don't get hit (in practice) and all of a sudden, you're in a game and it's a shock."
Then there's dodge ball. Ben Stiller won't be a guest instructor, but Zorn said that it helps quarterbacks learn how to avoid getting hit.
"The idea is to get out of the way and as you're getting out of the way, there's some point where you throw the ball," Zorn said. "It's not so much on getting rid of the ball. It's the movement."
—New defensive coordinator Greg Blache agreed that Zorn's offense could make for long days for opposing defenses.
"The ball comes out quick," Blache said. "The quarterback takes five steps and the ball's coming out. It's really a tough offense (to defend) and then you add the dimension of the running game. I see it being a very successful offense."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Maybe a change of pace will be good. Maybe we can better utilize some of our personnel. Some of our guys may fit this offense better. Maybe we can get the ball in Santana's hands and Antwaan's more often and let them use their skills after the catch." — Tight end Todd Yoder, who played in the West Coast scheme with Tampa Bay, on how new coach Jim Zorn's offense could benefit Redskins receivers Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
The Redskins cut receiver Brandon Lloyd on Feb. 26 after he produced just 25 catches, 379 yards and no touchdowns in two years after being acquired as a restricted free agent from the 49ers for third- and fourth-round draft choices. Lloyd, whom the Redskins gave a six-year, $30 million deal in April 2006, counts $4.2 million against the 2008 salary cap.
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 Chris
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