Things We Hope Jim Zorn Learned About Head Coaching

[GSPODS]

Before anyone jumps either down throats or off ships, realistically we knew there would be a learning curve for Jim Zorn, as well as for the Redskins offense. Or at the very least we should have known. Despite all outward appearances, nobody here was born yesterday.

So, in an attempt to stay positive until the end, these are some of the things I hope to see Jim Zorn learned last week.

1) Time Clock Management is of the essence.
2) His defense, even banged up, will keep his team in the game.
3) His defense may keep the team in the game, but his offense has to win the game.
4) His offense can't win the game without playcalling to win the game.
5) His offense can't win the game without 1st Downs.
6) His receivers can't get any spacing without a legitimate deep threat.
7) His running backs can't get any spacing without a deep threat.
Even an ineffective hurry-up offense with a legitimate deep pass attempt several times a game will keep opponents from stacking 8 and 9 man fronts "in the box."
9) Chris ey is not a blocking tight end.
10) Stephon Heyer is not holding his own at the right tackle position.
11) Run, Run, Pass is predictable to the extent that predictable defenses counter by going SaM, SaM, Nickel.
12) The rookies need to play as soon as they can, and as much as they can. The base offense doesn't have enough weapons to scare defenses.
13) Taking the team's best passing option out of the gameplan is a bad idea.
14) Portis and Betts are not interchangeable.

So, what else do we hope Jim Zorn learned from last week's game?
What do we want to see today that will convince us Jim Zorn is learning on the fly, and that the team is going to improve each and every week?

Positive responses are requested.
There are more than enough negative threads going already.

[SkinsFreak]

All valid points, but to be honest, I would think Zorn knows these things. He actually covered most of those points throughout the week. Gibbs was stubborn and head strong, to a large degree, and I just don't see Zorn being that way. Gibbs was slow to change, hopefully Zorn recognizes faults and makes corrections more quickly.

I just hope Zorn isn't shy about implementing his own play book, with regard to the run game specifically. I think Zorn knows Gibbs is/was extremely popular in DC and knows Gibbs was known for his power run game, which has been successful over the years. But teams have been teeing off on that run game for the past few years and Zorn trying to use the same plays would not be a real good idea, imho. Zorn needs to implement his own style.

14) Portis and Betts are not interchangeable.

Not sure I even understand what that means. The game today requires 2 solid backs, and Portis and Betts are a good one-two punch. Are they the same? Of course not, and I don't believe anyone thinks that. The Saints use Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush. Are they "interchangable" or are they a good mix of two different styles? I'd say a good mix, and Portis and Betts fit that bill, imo. Personally, I use Portis on the edges more and let Betts pound it up the middle.

One final point for all the armchair GM's on this site... it is far easier to whisper advice from behind the scenes or from the safety of cover, rather than risk its merit at the point of attack.

[Englands Team]

1. Not to have 'Rookie' Mistakes in your first ever game as head coach.

2. Do everything perfectly that your doing for the first time.

3. Don't be fazed about starting your carear away live on National, Worldwide television against the reiging Superbowl Champs.

Zorn made mistakes. He will be judges on how and how quickly he learns from them.

[SkinsJock]

I am looking forward to the Zorn era - I think that he will show why he was offered the job (after being hired as the OC) and that he is able to handle being the HC of a team in a division that is, year in and year out, one of the toughest in the NFL.

Zorn will get the opportunity to make this team successful and it will take more than one season. Many may be impatient but I think we will see evidence over the next 15 weeks why hiring this guy was a very good move.






I felt this opening part of the post was intriguing:

.... Despite all outward appearances, nobody here was born yesterday.

So, in an attempt to stay positive until the end

I'm looking forward to seeing a lot more positive posts around here - despite all outward appearances

[Haven]

1) Time Clock Management is of the essence.

Definitely this one. We could have won the last game (I thought) if we could've had better clock management.

[SkinsJock]

11) Run, Run, Pass is predictable to the extent that predictable defenses counter by going SaM, SaM, Nickel.

speaking of positives - Zorn called 3 pass plays on first down on the first drive - good no?

and now after watching the game - it might be time for a lot of fans here to own up to their lack of knowledge about what is really happening on the field.

GO SKINS

[welch]

One loss does not finish a coaching career, right???

[GSPODS]

One loss does not finish a coaching career, right???

Zorn's learning curve appears to be very short. Excellent!
I fully expected Zorn would pick up all of the points listed, but not necessarily all in the next game.

He's got a few more points from today's game to adjust next week, and that trend will continue, but I'm very impressed with how quickly Zorn adjusted to so many different issues in 10 days.

[SkinsJock]

very good way to start your career by beating a team that looked like an offensive threat last week - really there were very few who thought we could win this game after what we saw from both the Saints and the Redskins last week.



great effort by a lot of the players and coaches this week. great to see Buges and Danny Smith acting so professionally with their players too.