By the way, former assistants of Mike Holgrem have turned out to be pretty good coaches in this league. Both Zorn and Blache were former assistants of his. Zorn may be inexperienced, but at least he's had some credible education.
The more I think about this, the more I like it. Zorn has a huge upside. I'm glad Dan didn't just try to sign some guy with a flashy name or try to make the sexy pick, albeit Fassel was no sexy choice, and I'm so relieved Dan passed on him. Zorn is hungry and wants to prove himself.
Not to mention, Zorn takes over a team that has quite a few talented players. Our defense has been solid and Zorn will bring a more modern look and style to our offense. Campbell will be much improved.
You're right, there's never any NFL football news coverage on Sundays. Rolling Eyes
Come on dude, that is just ridiculous. If you want maximum news exposure you don't hold a news conference on a Sunday afternoon. And you especially don't hold that news conference right before the Pro Bowl, when most of the media is covering that anyway.
For once I am going to give Kudos to D. Snyder. This time I feel he got it right.
After all the shananigans, I may say that the interviews might have been legit after all. Hmmm... there is life after all. Hooray , I am so happy. I did not see this one coming.
I really like this move, they did everything by the books and never offered anyone the job, unlike what some people said. They wanted him from day one and believed in him. When they were done interviewing everyone they felt that he was the best person for the job, and Joe agreed as well. I like this; this is completely different than what we are used to. Coach Zorn this is your team now and I believe and will stand behind every decision you make.
This will be a great move, trust in him and he show you why. I can't wait to see what he is going to do, he will not put up with any crap. Go a head and hammer me for thinking this was a great move, but you will see next December.
You're right, there's never any NFL football news coverage on Sundays. Rolling Eyes
Come on dude, that is just ridiculous. If you want maximum news exposure you don't hold a news conference on a Sunday afternoon. And you especially don't hold that news conference right before the Pro Bowl, when most of the media is covering that anyway.
Whatever...dude.
Maximize news coverage? For what friggin' purpose? They made a choice and they will make an announcement. Who gives a rats ass what day of the week it is? For what possible reason would there be a need for maximizing news coverage? You complained about it taking so long and now you want them to wait longer. Joke.
I think Dan had no choice. What was he to do after all the other Head Coach prospects told him to hit the road? Just hope this is not a 1 year idea just to wait for Cowher.
I'm not quite sure how I feel about this. It's certainly a surprise. If they go out and hire a quality OC, then it might be a great move. If they expect Zorn to serve as HC and OC, then I think there is a problem.
With his lack of experience, he needs solid coordinators on both sides that will allow him to focus on the HC duties.
I absolutely think that the process was amateurishly conducted, and a lot of people put off unnecessarily. But of all the front running candidates, Zorn might just turn out to be the best choice by far....after the growing pains that is.
riggofan wrote:At this point, I'm okay with this. Its not Fassel. Young guy, first time head coach. Why the heck not?
But does anybody really believe this is a better choice that Gregg Williams????
1st time HC? Yes Young guy? I don't think so.
The Redskins said the 54-year-old Zorn agreed to a five-year contract. He will be introduced at a news conference at 3 p.m. Sunday
Young guy? Absolutely. It's all relative, now, ain't it?
"That's a clown question, bro" - - - - - - - - - - Bryce Harper, DC Statesman "But Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man That he didn't, didn't already have" - - - - - - - - - - Dewey Bunnell, America
my thoughts are that i can't say i am upset with this choice for head coach. looks like he was impressive and the fo wanted to check out all their options.
definitely was a surprise though. i am, however, intrigued by this move. i'm curious as to who the oc will be.
overall i am glad this is over with. time to prep for the coming season.
remember, with the skins it's best to:
get in,
sit down,
shut up
and HOLD ON!
People may not remember exactly what you did
or what you said....
~BUT~
they will ALWAYS remember how you made them feel.
"That's a clown question, bro" - - - - - - - - - - Bryce Harper, DC Statesman "But Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man That he didn't, didn't already have" - - - - - - - - - - Dewey Bunnell, America
My gut reaction is negative. . .there is something fishy with the way he made it to the HC position. Are we really to believe that he simply grew on Danny and Vinny?
Keep in mind that all of my negativity is directed at Danny and Vinny, and their judgment, alone. I have every hope that Zorn will work out for us. . .but the men who put him there have no clue what they're doing. If it turns out that they were right, it will be a "broken clock" kind of "right."
The decision is made... We must all be Children of the Zorn! All Hail... to the Redskins, that is... Thank goodness it is not Fassell! Zorn will want this bad enough to succeed, and he does not have the emotional baggage that the other "former" coaches have. It is his to mess up... or (more optimistically) his to win. Good luck, Coach Zorn.
Starting to try to nail down some possible candidates to take over as Offensive Coordinator now that Jim Zorn is the head coach, now that the carpet guy - cool dude, by the way - left and the basement flood is under control.
Talked to some people who know Zorn and they pointed me to Tennessee assistant head coach Sherman Smith. Smith and Zorn are close friends and were teammates in Seattle and Smith is looking to move up the ladder after being with the Titans since 1995. Smith is a former running back and longtime running backs coach and despite his title, he is not the top offensive guy with the Titans (newly hired OC Mike Heimerdinger is) and league sources said they do not believe the Titans would block a move to the OC spot here.
Someone for us to keep an eye on. People tell me Smith is a great dude - I hear the same thing from people who know Zorn - and they have a hunch he could be on Zorn's immediate radar.
I'll see what else I come up with.
Will post more on what people around the league are saying about Zorn tomorrow, but for now he's the take of one prominent coach:
"Jim is a very good guy, a very even-tempered coach with a really good knowledge of the quarterback position and I think that will be a great thing for Jason Campbell. He's very well respected in the coaching ranks. But there's so much stuff that goes into being a head coach that you have to do that takes away from the tutelage of that guy. I can't imagine being a first time head coach - a guy who was preparing to be a first-time offensive coordinator - and than also being the quarterback coach and putting in an offense and the whole deal. I also wonder, who's going to be Jim's mentor there?
"It may turn out to be a great choice, and Jim can teach, there's no doubt about that. But you look at this and you see they had no plan. You hire a guy for one job, based on the recommendations of coaches you don't end up hiring, and then promote him to head coach two weeks later? A lot of people turned away from that job and going in there with Vinny and Dan Snyder running everything, it's going to take some work putting out the fires and managing them. Joe Gibbs did a tremendous job of managing that owner, but it's going to be very hard for Jim Zorn as a first-time coach to control their impulses and all the fantasy football stuff. You look at the way this whole thing has played out over what, five weeks now, and you have to wonder how they're going to operate."
Posted at 8:12 PM ET, 02/ 9/2008 Shawn Springs Reacts To The Hiring Of Jim Zorn
Corner Shawn Springs was a former draft pick and star for the Seahawks and knew new Redskins head coach Jim Zorn a tad from his time in Seattle. Springs was enthusiastic about the possibilities but expects significant change in the offense.
"The offensive guys better be ready, I'm telling you it's going to be different from what they're used to. The way they ran practice and the whole philosophy of thinking is entirely differently. This system is all about speed, the quickness, the timing getting in and out of practice, from what I remember."
Springs said Zorn's roots under Mike Holmgren should serve him well:
"I like the fact that Coach Holmgren and his staff were extremely confident and extremely well-organized. I learned so much from them in practice. We had a learning period in practice. I learned so much from being those offensive coaches and Jim's been around enough good people that he'll bring in some good guys with experience, and I personally think he can do some things. I know he worked his quarterbacks hard, but we'll have to see what kind of coach he is."
Springs compared the efficiency and organization of Seattle's offense to the way Gregg Williams ran practices here when he was assistant head coach - defense. Privately, many players complained about the lack of special situations and late-game situations in practice sessions under Joe Gibbs.
"How Gregg was organized that how they were organized on the offensive side of the ball in Seattle. They're going to be aggressive on offense; they're not going to clam up. They're going to continue to push to score."
Springs said he had just begun to talk to teammates but thought the overall reaction would be one of relief and hope.
"Guys will be excited that we've got a coach, for one, and you can't argue the fact that he's coming from a system where they're coming from winning. Not all the prestige that Coach Gibbs had, but being around Coach Holmgren, that's pretty impressive."
No way Zorn makes sense. He was a QB coach on a team run by a very strong personality. He has NEVER lead an offense much less a team. That makes no sense in a division with the SB champ, a 13-3 team, and the resurgent Eagles.
By the way, if you think this is a good idea you're basing that on hope but not fact. You want to believe. Well, that's what Skins fans do in the offseason - we believe - we follow every move and talk about how it will make the team better - finally - so go ahead and believe. But the facts aren't there to say he'll be a good offensive coordinator much less a head coach.
I'm saying 3 wins in 08.
Ha! Snyder had a panic attacj and convinced himself the absurd was brilliant.