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A Laidback Zorn

Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 4:06 pm
by hatsOFF2gibbs
Jim Zorn is entering a new era of his coaching career. He has proven to be effective as a quarterbacks coach, prime example being the Pro-bowler out in Seattle. Reports have described a very enthusiastic Zorn on the practice fields in Ashburn. He seems somewhat ready to get into the spotlight of Washington DC - a place where everything you do is watched and scrutinized, if needed.
Jim Zorn has expressed that he is here to coach the Washington Redskins into victory. Of course. What coach wouldn’t say the same thing? I have no doubt he will eventually have success in Washington especially with the offense after a very offense-friendly draft. What concerns me the most is his idea of "I will teach the Quarterbacks, and I will let the rest of the coaches teach their own players." Now, that is not a direct Zorn quote but that seems to be his ideology.
The Portis/Landry race would have never taken place while Joe Gibs was here. Clearly, there is a sense of freedom within the borders of Ashburn park. Zorn is definitely respected, but to the level that Joe Gibbs was? Very doubtful. Even players like Mile Sellars have expressed the difference in Ashburn during Mini-camps compared to the Gibbs second tenure...a sense of carefree coaching style. Sellars said something along the lines of, "The coaches know we can play, we know we can play, so we are just going out there, have fun, but work hard at the same time."

Is Zorn's laidback attitude a safety blanket he is creating for himself? In case things do not go the way we hope they do, is he going to be a stricter coach and use this slight change in ideology in hopes of brushing the media and speculators off? Now, I cannot say he is not a strict coach, i.e. Fred Davis' mishap....but, if true, it seems to be a smart way of creating a buffer zone for himself.
Thoughts?

Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 4:27 pm
by SkinsHead56
I'm not sure I fully agree. I think that having a veteran team gives the coach some latitude in the type of approach he takes with this team. We have veteran leadership at every position, including the bench warmers (Rock, Trash, K. Campbell). I do think Coach Z. would take a more authoritative role if this was a younger team.

It is my view that Zorn is doing this the right way. Let the team police themselves. You can bet your bottom dollar that Portis, Moss, Washington and Fletcher will not let a bunch of rookies trash this team by not working hard this off-season.

Bottom line, it is all about how this team executes the game plan on game day. Until then we are all just hoping this works out.

Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 6:11 pm
by John Manfreda
Of course he is not going to get the same respect that Joe Gibbs got. Gibbs won 3 super bowls and 4 NFC championships. I also forgot to mention he is in the hall of fame. Jim has never been a OC, that doesn't worry me Andy Reid was a Qb's coach in Green Bay before he coached at Philly, both came from the same head coach.

Systems

Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 6:31 pm
by gbUSC
I think the most successful coaches (and CEOs for that matter) are the ones that set up a good system and let it work. The jury is still out on whether or not JZ is doing this, but he's done nothing to date that gives fans any reason to worry, IMO.

Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 6:43 pm
by Cappster
I believe, from what I have seen and read, that while Zorn is a laid back coach, he will get on a player when they make a mistake. How can a guy learn effectively when a coach is always barking at him even when he does something right? At least, that is my philosophy anyway. When people have fun at work and do their job at the same time, it is a win-win situation.

Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 7:27 pm
by SkinsFreak
I don't believe Zorn's disposition is by design for the purposes of becoming stricter if things turn ugly. His demeanor and character are certainly unique, but I believe it's genuine and honest. I've been very impressed with Zorn so far. From what I've heard from my relatives in Seattle, what we are witnessing is the real Jim Zorn... and I like it.

Gibbs did not garner much respect early on. Many players back then did not care for Gibbs. His accomplishments have brought subsequent respect, and he certainly deserves it. But Gibbs was a little too tight in the britches; always paranoid of others, strict and very secretive.

While Zorn is a bit more laid back than what we've been used to with Gibbs and Williams, I don't, however, believe Zorn is a push-over and I don't believe the players think that either. You don't have to treat people like spoiled little kids to get something in return. Zorn is treating these guys like men and I think the players respect that and will step up to reciprocate.

Zorn has, at the very least, earned quite a bit of respect from the owners, his coworkers and the players very early in his tenure. He appears to be very tenacious and dedicated to what he wants to achieve. At this point, he said he has been mostly working with the QB's, as he should. When camp starts, Zorn said he would spend less time with the QB's to help manage the other aspects of the team. But from a managers perspective, there's nothing wrong with delegating responsibilities to department heads and is a good philosophy to encourage.

Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 11:04 pm
by aswas71788
I think the article is pure BS. Let's see, there has been one mini-camp and a few OTA's and already someone has labeled him as a less than desirable? I wonder if this is one of the same sports writers that were howling for Gibbs to be fired when he first came here. Probably!!!

I seem to remember that Zorn said that he was going to work with the quarterbacks until preseason and then he would take a broader view.

At least give the guy some leeway until mid-season.