The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

spenser wrote:Yea, but i really didnt like how he worded or phrased it when i read that article. Mabye i was just looking to much into it, but it was like his heart wasnt fully into it. I can kinda understand because im sure he has heard stories about our dysfunctional team, but I want a guy who is gung ho and all in so to speak.


But i did like his enthusiasm (spelling?). I guess mabye once he has made up his mind then he is full go. He's obviously pretty high on "Z-man" though so thats good to see.

Bob 0119 wrote:I'm waiting for the Headline:

"Mr. Smith goes to Washington"

NC43Hog wrote:

spenser wrote:Yea, but i really didnt like how he worded or phrased it when i read that article. Mabye i was just looking to much into it, but it was like his heart wasnt fully into it. I can kinda understand because im sure he has heard stories about our dysfunctional team, but I want a guy who is gung ho and all in so to speak.


But i did like his enthusiasm (spelling?). I guess mabye once he has made up his mind then he is full go. He's obviously pretty high on "Z-man" though so thats good to see.

I just think he was torn - he has a good thing going in Tennessee, but any good coach/person is always looking for challenges - and this may be just what he needs.

NC43Hog wrote:

Bob 0119 wrote:I'm waiting for the Headline:

"Mr. Smith goes to Washington"

way to easy mate!

Fios wrote:

NC43Hog wrote:

spenser wrote:Yea, but i really didnt like how he worded or phrased it when i read that article. Mabye i was just looking to much into it, but it was like his heart wasnt fully into it. I can kinda understand because im sure he has heard stories about our dysfunctional team, but I want a guy who is gung ho and all in so to speak.


But i did like his enthusiasm (spelling?). I guess mabye once he has made up his mind then he is full go. He's obviously pretty high on "Z-man" though so thats good to see.

I just think he was torn - he has a good thing going in Tennessee, but any good coach/person is always looking for challenges - and this may be just what he needs.

That is precisely why I dare the kids in my neighborhood to play in heavy traffic.

Bob 0119 wrote:

NC43Hog wrote:

Bob 0119 wrote:I'm waiting for the Headline:

"Mr. Smith goes to Washington"

way to easy mate!

Oh without a doubt, but I bet it makes a headline, and someone gets paid for it!

Fios wrote:Please leave the moderating to the moderators

skinsfan#33 wrote:

Fios wrote:Please leave the moderating to the moderators

Fios'
Skinsfreek wasn't moderating, he was expressing his frustration over the fact that every thread decays into a bash Snyder thread. Even if that bashing of Snyder comes disguised as a shot at Gibbs.

And he is dead on.


Enough already!

Of course that is just my view on the subject. I am allowed to post my view, aren't I? Or does my opinion have to be negative Snyder bashing to count around here.

I am tired of all the PMS’ing little girly post around here now

Fios wrote:

skinsfan#33 wrote:

Fios wrote:Please leave the moderating to the moderators

Fios'
Skinsfreek wasn't moderating, he was expressing his frustration over the fact that every thread decays into a bash Snyder thread. Even if that bashing of Snyder comes disguised as a shot at Gibbs.

And he is dead on.


Enough already!

Of course that is just my view on the subject. I am allowed to post my view, aren't I? Or does my opinion have to be negative Snyder bashing to count around here.

I am tired of all the PMS’ing little girly post around here now

The discussion about the moderating is over:

http://www.the-hogs.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=26362

JLC wrote:Jason Reid reports: Tennessee Titans assistant coach Sherman Smith needs more time to decide whether to join the Redskins, league sources said.

Smith said yesterday that he was leaning toward accepting an offer to become Washington's offensive coordinator under new head coach Jim Zorn, Smith's former teammate and close friend. But Smith early today informed Tennessee Coach Jeff Fisher he planned to reject Washington's offer and remain with the Titans.

At some point in the afternoon, Smith, a member of Fisher's Titans staff since 1995, contacted Zorn to discuss his decision. After speaking with Zorn, Smith called Fisher and said he had decided to reconsider leaving the Titans, the sources said. Fisher told Smith to take his time, and Fisher and Zorn are waiting as Smith huddles with his family.

When I spoke with Smith yesterday, I got the feeling he thought joining Zorn would be best for his career but he really likes Nashville. Smith is a deeply religious man, people who know him well say, and he told me his faith would help to guide him to the right path.

As someone who recently changed jobs after being in one place for a long time, I can relate to many of the emotions Smith told me he was experiencing yesterday. The good news for Zorn is that Smith is taking more time, but Smith's ties to Nashville obviously are strong.
If Smith does decide to come to Washington, last year's Redskins running backs coach, Earnest Byner, would be a strong candidate to work with running backs in Tennessee.

Smith considering offensive coordinator position with Redskins
The Associated Press

ASHBURN, VA, Feb. 13, 2008 — New Washington Redskins head coach Jim Zorn is waiting to hear whether Tennessee Titans assistant head coach Sherman Smith will accept the job as offensive coordinator, the only remaining vacancy on Zorn's staff.

Smith, also the Titans running backs coach, and his wife visited Washington on Tuesday and Wednesday.

"He's considering this," Zorn said. "He's comfortable there in Nashville. He's just got to decide."

Zorn said he hopes to have an answer by the end of the week and has other candidates in mind in case Smith doesn't accept the position. Zorn and Smith played together for the Seahawks in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Zorn said he will call the plays if Smith takes the job.

"He does not want to call the plays," Zorn said. "And I want to call the plays."

Earlier today, Smith told the Titans he would reject the Redskins' offer. But new Washington Coach Jim Zorn persuaded Smith, his former teammate and close friend, to reconsider and Smith took the job.

"I'm just very excited about the great opportunity to work with my man Z-man [Zorn], the great opportunity to be a part of that great organization there in Washington and having an opportunity to develop more as a coach and an offense coordinator there," said Smith, who agreed to a three-year deal. "The more I thought about it, joining Jim and the Redskins was the right thing for me."

After telling Tennessee Coach Jeff Fisher he planned to remain on the Titans coaching staff, which he joined in 1995, Smith called Zorn, who told Smith to take more time before making his decision. Smith told Fisher he needed to speak with his family again and then decided he needed to join the Redskins.

"That's definitely how it went," Smith said. "I had more peace about staying. The reason I did is because that didn't affect my family. If I stayed, we didn't have to move. My daughter would be happy, my son would be happy and my wife, she wouldn't have to do all that moving stuff, so it was easy to feel better about staying than about leaving. But leaving was the best thing to do. I'm in."

Redskin in Canada wrote:2007 Stats:

Code: Select all

RANK   NAME             YDS     YPG     RUSH   RUSH YPG   PASS     PASS YPG   PTS   PTS/G
15     Washington       5334    333.4   1871    116.9     3463      216.4     334   20.9

21     Tennessee        4987    311.7   2109    131.8     2878      179.9     301   18.8

I hope it works better here than it did in Tennessee last year.

Champsturf wrote:For real though, they have Vince Young and garbage receivers. I think it will be MUCH better here.

JLC wrote:Redskins Get Smith In the End
Titans Assistant Said No Earlier in the Day

On second thought, Sherman Smith will join the Washington Redskins. After initially rejecting an offer yesterday to become the Redskins' offensive coordinator, Smith reconsidered and became the final member of new head coach Jim Zorn's coaching staff.

"Well, when I tried to tell Z-man [Zorn] about my decision, he had some things to say to me," Smith said. "He said, 'Just think about it for a few more hours and we'll talk later.' When I did, I realized Washington is where I need to be now."

Smith left the Tennessee Titans, agreeing to a three-year contract to help Zorn, his former teammate and close friend, implement the West Coast offense. Earlier this week, the Redskins hired former Seattle running backs coach Stump Mitchell as their assistant head coach-running backs and Chris Meidt, formerly the head coach of St. Olaf College in Minnesota, to be an offensive assistant.

Smith's decision ended a tumultuous day for him in which he walked away from the Titans after at one point informing Tennessee Coach Jeff Fisher he would return next season. After speaking with Zorn, however, Smith said he decided it was time for a new career challenge and that the Redskins' job suits him well.

"My man Z-man is giving me a great opportunity and a lot of responsibility," Smith said. "This is a chance for me to really grow in my career while being part of a great organization in Washington. I have an opportunity to develop more as a coach and an offensive coordinator. It was a very difficult decision, but the more I thought about it, joining Jim and the Redskins was the right thing."

On Thursday, Smith, 53, said he was strongly leaning toward accepting the offer Zorn had made while having dinner together Tuesday after touring Redskins Park. But Smith, who has been part of Fisher's Titans staff since 1995, promised Fisher he would not make a decision until they spoke, and Fisher was unavailable Thursday.

After speaking with his family Thursday night, however, Smith had second thoughts about leaving the Titans and a Nashville area that has "been very good to me and my family."

Yesterday morning, Smith told Fisher he would return next season. Smith then called Zorn, who earlier this week told reporters he would not push Smith to accept the job. But when Smith tried to reject the offer, Zorn made a stronger pitch to his friend, encouraging Smith to take more time. At about 4 p.m., Smith said, he accepted the job.

"That's definitely how it went," Smith said. "I've been really happy here. My family has been really happy here. I had more peace about staying, and the reason I did is because that didn't affect my family. If I stayed, we didn't have to move. My daughter would be happy, my son would be happy and my wife, she wouldn't have to do all that moving stuff, so it was easy to feel better about staying than leaving.

"Jim wanted me to be sure about this. He talked about the opportunities I would have if I came. He said some things to me about the responsibility I would have. He said some things to me about what we could accomplish together as a staff. And knowing how hard Jim works, and the type of people he surrounds himself with, who would not want to have a chance to work with him?"

An assistant head coach/running backs with Tennessee, Smith oversaw the Titans' running game. Smith, an NFL running back for eight seasons, and Zorn were rookie starters with the Seattle Seahawks in 1976.

Since Zorn was promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach late last week, Smith and Mitchell have topped his list of coaching candidates. In addition to having strong ties to Zorn, Smith and Mitchell are well versed in the West Coast offense.

The plan is for Meidt to assist Zorn, Smith and Mitchell, freeing Zorn to work with the quarterbacks -- particularly young starter Jason Campbell -- during practice. Mitchell will have significant input in devising running plays and, along with Smith, help teach Zorn's scheme to the coaching staff and players. Zorn will be the Redskins' play-caller.

"Jim has a plan and I believe in it," Smith said. "I really believe there's a lot I can do to help the Washington Redskins, and I'm glad Jim does too."

Redskins Note: The club reduced its salary cap figure by almost $9 million, converting Chris ey's roster bonus to a signing bonus, according to a source familiar with the cap situation. The Redskins are now about $7 million over the cap.

SKINFAN wrote:I read the article @ the network, now is Zorn calling the plays or is smith? I think it will be Smith, or should be him, I'm inclined to think that he's got more experience there.... This is looking like a good addition, now is Steve Largent going to be our reciever's coach?

Redskins.com wrote:Zorn Says He'll Call Plays
By Gary Fitzgerald
Redskins.com
February 15, 2008

Head coach Jim Zorn has decided he will be the primary play-called on offense next season.
Zorn confirmed the decision in a press release on Friday announcing the hiring of Sherman Smith as offensive coordinator.

Zorn explained the roles that he and Smith will have in directing the offense.

"While I will call the plays during the games, our entire offensive staff will be putting together our game plan each week and Sherman will lead those efforts both in our offensive staff meetings and in our player meetings," Zorn said.

Zorn has said he will bring a West Coast offense approach to the Redskins.

On Jan. 26, Zorn was named the Redskins' offensive coordinator, with the expectation that he would call plays.

After Zorn was was elevated to head coach on Feb. 9, he said he would re-evaluate that decision.

In the end, Zorn decided to take on the responsibility of calling offensive plays. As the play-caller, he will be able to talk one-on-one with the quarterback on the field via headset.

It's the first time Zorn has served as a play-caller in his NFL coaching career. He was a pro quarterback for 12 seasons, so he has plenty of experience directing offenses.

SkinsFreak wrote: By all reports, Zorn, Smith and Mitchell appear to be character guys with a lot of loyalty for each other, just what the Skins needed.

brad7686 wrote:well if you have a pass guru as the HC, and a RB guru as the OC, that can probably help to make up for rampant inexperience.