Skins Offensive Coordinator - Sherman Smith

Just a moment ago, as I was watching the ongoing Brett Favre lovefest on NFL Network, I read the ticker roll by at the bottom of the screen quoting Redskins Offensive Coordinator Sherman Smith saying, Clinton Portis will get some time vs. the Bills this weekend.

It then dawned upon me that I, perhaps we, have no idea who this guy really is. Aside from the fact that he last coached with the Titans for many years, he seems to be the most quiet and under the radar of all the Redskins offseason additions. We all know this is Jim Zorn's offense, Jim Zorn's scheme, and without question, Jim Zorn's quarterback(s). The offensive line, is Buges all day long.

So my guess is, especially in light of the departure of Ernest Byner, the running backs belong to Sherman Smith more than him actually coordinating the entire offense, as his title would suggest.

All I'm getting at is is this an overblown or misleading title? And how can we guage if Mr. Smith is doing a good job or not?

i believe smith is playing a huge part in installing zorn's system and with gameplaning. as for the running backs, i thought they belonged to stump mitchell, not sherman smith.. so no, his title is not overblown or misleading.

So Wolf, you think Smith is taking Zorn's blue print, and assisting Zorn with downloading that to the offensive players? Hmm...interesting.

I think Stump is the Assistant RB coach.

Here's some articles on Smith

http://www.thewarpath.net/search.php?searchid=235767

Wow, those articles were eye opening. It makes perfect sense now. It's more seamless than I realized.

Looking at the current set up, I think these guys four will be more on page than last year's crew with all of it's experience.

So Wolf, you think Smith is taking Zorn's blue print, and assisting Zorn with downloading that to the offensive players? Hmm...interesting.

I think Stump is the Assistant RB coach.



The plan is for Meidt to assist Zorn, Smith and Mitchell, freeing Zorn to work with the quarterbacks -- particularly young starter Jason Campbell (http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Jason+Campbell+(Football)?tid=informline) -- 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.

Wow, those articles were eye opening. It makes perfect sense now. It's more seamless than I realized.

Looking at the current set up, I think these guys four will be more on page than last year's crew with all of it's experience.

I agree. Seems like a good setup and a smooth transition. The staff under Gibbs seemed to be splintered at times.

I'm loving the current offensive staff of the Redskins. I mean we all know who is directing this team but it is a team effort. I believe there was a reason why Zorn wanted Stump and Sherman so badly on his staff. He stated that they were both well-versed in this West Coast Offense and are able to help teach them to the rest of the staff. I kind of love it for an offensive coordinator to say that his star running back will play in a preseason game so that he can see what he got to work with in the regular season. Players who don't participate in preseason always start the regular season slow.

I agree. Seems like a good setup and a smooth transition. The staff under Gibbs seemed to be splintered at times.

But is it all that different really? I mean under Gibbs there was a delineation between the running game and the passing game with Gibbs overseeing the running game and Saunders the passing game, correct?

I don't have the exact quote but I'm almost positive that Zorn said as recently as last week that the running game would be left in Bugel's hands so that he (Zorn) could focus on the passing game.

As for what role exactly Sherman Smith and Stump Mitchell have. Wolfe got it right. Sherm will take the lead on installing the gameplan for the offense during the week leading up to the game (Zorn will call plays on gameday) and Stump will actually work with the running backs themselves.

But is it all that different really? I mean under Gibbs there was a delineation between the running game and the passing game with Gibbs overseeing the running game and Saunders the passing game, correct?

I don't have the exact quote but I'm almost positive that Zorn said as recently as last week that the running game would be left in Bugel's hands so that he (Zorn) could focus on the passing game.

As for what role exactly Sherman Smith and Stump Mitchell have. Wolfe got it right. Sherm will take the lead on installing the gameplan for the offense during the week leading up to the game (Zorn will call plays on gameday) and Stump will actually work with the running backs themselves.

I think there is a difference though. Gibbs and Saunders never played ball together and , to the best of my knowledge, never coached together. I know they fell from the same tree or whatever, but...

From what I've read, Zorn and his crew have been around each other on and off the field for years. That's a huge difference if you ask me. They really do have a feel for one another and each other's thought process.