I think Jim Zorn is a great head football coach.

Ask yourself this question...if Gibbs had this team with a 6-2 start, would they have missed the playoffs?....doubtful...I don't care who is injured....he'd probably make seller a RT to make it happen...it would be ugly...and he'd be launching deep passed to Moss to make it happen...but it is rare that a great coach wins 75% of his games only to finish 500.If it was Gibbs AND Gregg Williams, I don't think they would have missed the playoffs.

Man there are alot of good points in this thread

The Skins used to have a "system" much like the Patriots have today. Guys put on the Pats jersey and somehow play better than they did with the jersey they wore the year before. That's how they can overcome truly "devastating" injuries like losing Tom Brady (losing line men is something most teams have to deal with every year). The Skins used to be the same way. Lose the starting QB and still make it to the Super Bowl. Take marginal talents like Ricky Ervins and Ricky Sanders and turn them into Super Bowl legends. Guys like Rypien and Gary Clark would go to different teams and wouldn't be near the players they were when they were with the Skins.

If Zorn can build a system like that, one that gets the most out of its players, one that can overcome injuries, and one that wins championships, he will be great.

Of course, Gibbs didn't have Cerrato and Snyder to deal with;)Nor did he have to deal with a salary cap and Free Agency

sounds more like you think he's a great guy

If it was Gibbs AND Gregg Williams, I don't think they would have missed the playoffs.To be fair, the players were still asimilating Zorn's offense and between that, a beat up Portis/O-line, and the quality of defenses we faced in the 2nd half (including the Ravens and the Steelers), the Skins were a team ripe for a collapse down the stretch.

One mark of Gibbs 2.0 was his horrendous record the 3rd quarter of each season. He rallied the team to the playoffs down the stretch in 2005 and 2007, but his 2nd half record in 2004 and 2006 was comparable to Zorn's last year.

He seems to have a "grand vision" of what he wants the team to look like - which a great coach needs. Here's to hoping it translates to success.

Unfortunately, Zorn has a couple things going against him:

1. A poor owner and mediocre GM
2. Doesn't have the power to hire and fire coaches or players due to item #1.
3. He has just 1-2 years to prove himself. Snyder is itchy to get a big name coach.
4. Zorn is tied to Jason Campbell's performance, even though he didn't pick the guy

BL - Zorn must do well this season to continue here. Being a great guy, excellent teacher, Christian, gutsy play-caller, etc just isn't everything you need to stay as a HC in the NFL. I think he's got to win 8-9 games to continue with this owner. Many others think he'll need even more to stay. Some say he's got to get deep into the playoffs to get another year.

He seems to have a "grand vision" of what he wants the team to look like - which a great coach needs. Here's to hoping it translates to success.

I agree. I think he knows exactly what he wants and what it takes to get it. He's a great teacher and the players seem to buy into what he's selling. Welcome to the board!

Zorn matched Gibbs first season win/loss percentage. Unfortunately he was eaten alive once teams figured out his MO.

Zorn is going to have to get this offense moving this season or Snyder will bring in someone like Shannihan. It's not fair but this is the owner we have.

Can't make this type of statement with only one season under his belt(a mediocre one at that). You could say he is a great HC after this season though if the chips do fall into place and the offense does click. Not saying Coach isn't a good coach, just saying that after one season you can't say he is a great HC yet based on his rookie season as HC.