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

Promote from within? Buges?

Mooch would make alot of since.I would although go for some one else .Like maybe Marty Shanhamire?.

We could bring Hue Jackson back. He was the OC for the Falcons. Not his fault he had to design an offense around Vick, only to lose Vick for good. He did a great job developing C. Johnson and Housh in Cincy.

There's also Chris Palmer, QB coach for the Giants. He's done a nice job with that offense and Eli.

Dan Henning is still coaching. Talk about a veteran presence to help the rookie HC Zorn!

Just please NOT MARTZ. MARTZ SUCKS!!! The man wouldn't know a running game if it hit him in the chest like Riggo bulldozing that Dolphin in the Super Bowl.

Fassel??

It had to be someone that can come in and help Zorn implement his offense. So we're probably looking for someone with a west coast background.

What's Next
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."







http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/

From CanesSkins26

CanesSkins26 wrote:It had to be someone that can come in and help Zorn implement his offense. So we're probably looking for someone with a west coast background.

I agree, but these days, almost everyone has some west coast background. Zorn himself didn't have a west coast background until he started working for Holmgren.

He's only worked with Holmgren right?

New Redskins head coach Jim Zorn fully plans on hiring an offensive coordinator.
Current Titans assistant HC/running backs Sherman Smith is considered the early frontrunner for the position, but the Redskins need permission to interview him first. Zorn said at his opening press conference that he envisions "this whole game is about rhythm, not about hanging onto the ball until you see a guy open." Spoken like a true Mike Holmgren man.

http://www.rotoworld.com
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/2008/02/up_next_jim_zorn_meets_the_pre.html?nav=rss_blog

frankcal20 wrote:He's only worked with Holmgren right?

Bobby Ross as well.

How about a guy named Don Breaux?

DarthMonk

I don't see the need - have an assistant, but Zorn can do both. I may be wrong, but Gibbs I, he did both and so did most coaches in the past.

NC43Hog wrote:I don't see the need - have an assistant, but Zorn can do both. I may be wrong, but Gibbs I, he did both and so did most coaches in the past.

Gibbs had previous experience as an offensive coordinator, Zorn doesn't. He needs someone experienced to help him adjust to the dual role of head coach and offensive coordinator. Being an offensive coordinator or a head coach in the NFL is hard enough, Zorn is trying to learn how to do both at the same time.

He could have an offensive coordinator and still decide to call the plays himself, right?

Byner could handle the OC spot. Also, a guy like Tim Hasselbeck or Jon Gruden's brother. I'm also a Ron Jaworski fan - but it won't happen

Scooter wrote:Byner could handle the OC spot. Also, a guy like Tim Hasselbeck or Jon Gruden's brother. I'm also a Ron Jaworski fan - but it won't happen

i like the byner idea but i dont believe he has a west coast backround.. and i agree with them when they say it would be best to get some one with a west coast backround to help out with the transition.

and are you serious when you suggested tim hasselbeck?

Scooter wrote:I'm also a Ron Jaworski fan -

Somebody quick do up a photoshop of Danny with the headset on!!!

DEHog wrote:Somebody quick do up a photoshop of Danny with the headset on!!!

Better option:

Posted at 1:41 PM ET, 02/11/2008
Sherman Smith and Stump Mitchell

Spoke to several more sources today, including some that know Zorn well, and all continue to say they expect Sherman Smith, an assistant head coach/offense, with the Titans, to be his top choice as offensive coordinator.

Zorn also remains interested in Seattle RB coach Stump Mitchell as well, sources said. If he cannot land Smith, Mitchell could also be considered for the OC job - he has a very thorough knowledge of the West Coast Offense, and, like Smith, shares a close relationship with Zorn.

If either was hired it would their first time as a coordinator, leading many sources who know Zorn to beleive the head coach would call plays on offense. Could be Zorn gets them both, with Mitchell the RB Coach in Washington, and there remains a chance Skins RB coach Earnest Byner could get an opportunity in Seattle if Mitchell came here.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/

Posted at 9:53 AM ET, 02/12/2008
Mr. Smith Comes To Washington

Titans assistant head coach - offense, Sherman Smith, is boarding a plane to Dulles this morning to interview for the Skins offensive coordinator vacancy. As you regulars know, within two hours of Zorn getting the head coach gig RI was all over Sherman Smith getting the first crack at the OC job Saturday night.

Smith is a close friend and former teammate of Zorn's, who would help teach the rest of the staff and players the West Coast offense. However, Smith has never been a coordinator and it's unlikely he would call plays, league sources said, with Zorn in essence the head coach, offensive schemer and play caller and QB coach.

The Skins hired a low level offensive assistant yesterday so this would fill the last real vacany on the staff, though league sources said Zorn remains interested in Seattle RB Coach Stump Mitchell.

Smith is eager for a promotion as he tries to advance his coaching career and is most versed in the running side of the game as a former RB and longtime RB coach. I am told is a great dude, much like Zorn, though this would be a first big leap for him as a coach as well.

Smith told the Nashville City Paper this morning that he will fly back to Nashville tomorrow and talk over the job with his family after interviewing before making a decision. People around the league who know these guys well figured this was s slam dunk, but we shall see.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/

Zorn as the head coach, QB coach and calling plays is not unprecedented. Sean Payton, Holgem and Gruden, among others, quickly come to mind. Zorn still needs help however. So if Mitchell and Smith can join up with Meidt and Zorn, that would be extremely beneficial to Zorn and the offense. Can't say I know a ton about them, but from what I've read, they seem like pretty good coaches.

I heard a great interview of Zorn on Saturday Feb. 16 where he said he'd keep the current Redskins running game in place and focus on coaching the QB's through the changes in the passing game. He also praised the offensive personnel profusely, particularly Sellers as a prototype fullback and the ability of CC, ARE, and SM to "uncover" in the passing game.

DarthMonk

DarthMonk wrote:particularly Sellers as a prototype fullback

If there's anyone on this offense that will make a huge impact in this new system, it's Sellers. Sellers has great hands for a big fullback and I'll bet Zorn takes advantage of that. Can't wait to see what Sellers can do in the WCO.

Off topic - we now know who the OC is - time to lock thread. Please start new threads with new topics.