What must Jim Zorn accomplish this season to keep his job?

Getting the job relies on interviewing, and explaining the circumstances of his "failures". Every indication is Norv is a good guy, and cares. He is one of those guys whose potential exceeds what he has shown so far. I think it is called the Peter Principle where someone goes one step higher than they are really qualified for.

if all of that is true about Norv, then how in the hell does he keep getting jobs? being a nice guy only goes so far...

I don't get it either. My only guess is that he's improved. But I think more realistically what happens is he goes from head coaching failure to successful coordinator and GMs/Owners see the successful coordinator, not the head coaching failure.

He's kept a good Chargers team afloat. Although they've gone from 14-2 in Marty's last year to 11-5 to 8-8 the past two seasons. But it's not like you can give Turner the Detroit head coaching job and expect him to turn it around.

if all of that is true about Norv, then how in the hell does he keep getting jobs? being a nice guy only goes so far...

I think it's fair to say that there was pretty much universal shock when he was offered the Chargers' position, and not just a few people rationalized it as being AJ Smith's way of sticking it to Marty just a little bit more (Marty not only succeeded Norv in Washington in 2001, but he was also given the head coaching job in San Diego in 2002 after Norv served as the Chargers' offensive coordinator the year before). Of course, one would think Smith is too smart a guy to have hired a coach solely for spite, but there is also little doubt that the acrimony that had developed between him and Marty reached a level uncommon even in the high-pressured NFL FO world.

Zorn doesn't seem to be cut from the Spurrier/Norv mold. Of course it may be too early to tell but he seems to be too smart to go down that same road.

Yeah, Zorn is a nice guy, but apparently he can really crack the whip when it's necessary. Not the case with Norv and especially Spurrier. Apparently his control of the locker room, or lack thereof, was a total joke.

Has anyone said "Play racquetball with Dan Snyder" yet? I'm just curious.

Yeah, Zorn is a nice guy, but apparently he can really crack the whip when it's necessary. Not the case with Norv and especially Spurrier. Apparently his control of the locker room, or lack thereof, was a total joke.

Zorn 'calling out' Portis, for lack of a better term, showed that he wasn't scared to take on a star player. What happened afterward was a bit of backpedaling & it became apparent that Zorn was doing some damage control. Don't know to what extent DS played a part in it, or if Zorn just realized that it didn't help to talk to the press.

Either way, he often showed that he has ideals & standards for his players to live up to in preparing for games. I see him as just about as laid back a guy as norv personally, but he brings more energy to his work & commands more respect by being on top of things. Just my observations.

Zorn 'calling out' Portis, for lack of a better term, showed that he wasn't scared to take on a star player. What happened afterward was a bit of backpedaling & it became apparent that Zorn was doing some damage control. Don't know to what extent DS played a part in it, or if Zorn just realized that it didn't help to talk to the press.

Either way, he often showed that he has ideals & standards for his players to live up to in preparing for games. I see him as just about as laid back a guy as norv personally, but he brings more energy to his work & commands more respect by being on top of things. Just my observations.

Remember when Zorn took the punter's head off after blowing a snap. I can't remember all the details, but I can't imagine WP or Norv doing that.

Zorn has to show that his version of the westcoast offense will work in the NFL. His playcalling skills have to stay aggressive play to win, not play to "not lose". Jason Campbell has to have a probowl year.

I honestly think Zorn will get a legitimate shot.Gibbs taught Snyder that character and loyalty goes far.For those who will bash Gibbs,the locker room was a joke and players didnt have to take responsibility,before he arrived.And the only bright spot of the Taylor incident, is that it brought the locker room tighter together.Gibbs may have not won on stats and records,but other areas he improved.Zorn is a fiery guy,and there will be run-ins with players but just because he wants more wins for the team.As a first year coach he did good compared to averages.See what he does this season it might suprise us all.

good post freddyg12 ,im with you on this one too.