The next four games may determine Zorn's fate.

[SUNRA]

Originally Posted by sandtrapjack

Isn't Zorn also the QB Coach and Offensive Coordinator?

So by removing Zorn, the organization would have to replace 3 people in mid season?

I agree, that, if a major improvement does not take place that Zorn could be let go during the bye week. But even then it is a drastic measure and it could mean that Snyder has written off the season at that point.

To bring in 3 new people after a coach firing because of all the hats he wears is pretty risky.

Sherman Smith is suppose to be the offensive coordinator, if we bring in Mike Holmgren then the westcoast terminology stays the same and he understands the QB coaching position better than Zorn. Campbell hasn't learned a damn thing when it comes to technique, so we can wing the QB coach position.

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

I could see Sherman Smith honestly taking over in the interim until next year...

Umm, No. Sherman Smith is supposed to be the OC. He's the one up in the booth supposedly calling the plays. I know and you know he's not, but even he is not able to fix the problem. Unless Zorn is so wrapped around himself he is not listening to any of his offensive advisors?

[TheMalcolmConnection]

I didn't say he'd fix the problem, I just said I think he's interim coach until the next season.

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by cocoajoey

I think his fate is already

Since the first day with the Red, Black, and Yellow.

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

I didn't say he'd fix the problem, I just said I think he's interim coach until the next season.

Yeah it might work. It would definitly show a sign to the fans that DS has bigger plans in the offseason.

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

You know what would be just great? Name Stan Hixon interim head coach

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by SBXVII

Perhaps I'm wrong ...again. I should have said Cerrato seemed comfortable enough with Shanny to call him up, and I doubt it was totally in regards to Alridge. I like Alridge a lot. Glad the picked him up. but find it interesting they would contact Shanny in regards to him. Almost feels like maybe someone was feeling out Shanny in regards to his coaching desires and yes Alridge probably did come up or perhaps Alridge first then the other.

Shanahan and Cerrato have a long standing relationship/friendship dating back to their SF days (also Vinny and Holmgren). That's one of the things that may keep him around, even if there is a major shakeup with one of them.

As to the Sherman Smith questions, he devises the game plan every week but JZ is the sole play caller.

The more I think about it, I doubt there will be an in season change. There's really no point to it unless DS is going to bring in someone at a higher level to evaluate and set the course for the overall football operations a la Parcells in Miami in '07.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by SBXVII

Perhaps I'm wrong ...again. I should have said Cerrato seemed comfortable enough with Shanny to call him up, and I doubt it was totally in regards to Alridge. I like Alridge a lot. Glad the picked him up. but find it interesting they would contact Shanny in regards to him. Almost feels like maybe someone was feeling out Shanny in regards to his coaching desires and yes Alridge probably did come up or perhaps Alridge first then the other.

I'm pretty sure Shanahan reached out to Vinny. Either way it's not an uncommon thing to talk to former coaches of players to find out more about them.

[skinsfaninok]

Well yea I would say If we lose to Josh Johnson and the bucs he's gone asap!

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

Shanahan and Cerrato have a long standing relationship/friendship dating back to their SF days (also Vinny and Holmgren). That's one of the things that may keep him around, even if there is a major shakeup with one of them.

As to the Sherman Smith questions, he devises the game plan every week but JZ is the sole play caller.

The more I think about it, I doubt there will be an in season change. There's really no point to it unless DS is going to bring in someone at a higher level to evaluate and set the course for the overall football operations a la Parcells in Miami in '07.

Holmgren could be our Parcells.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

You know what would be just great? Name Stan Hixon interim head coach

YES! I am all for this. It would be an AWESOME move!

And if you think I am kidding you are wrong. Why? Why would I want Hixon as head coach? It's really very very simple.

IF Hixon is HC, then we HAVE to hire a new WR coach (even as a figurehead) and then when Hixon is fired at the end of the season, we would need a new WR coach!

Excellent plan Smoot!

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by KI Skins Fan

If Zorn were to be fired at the bye week, I would expect there to be an interim coach for the rest of the season.

Yeah, Dan Snyder.

With our schedule in the next month, if we can't win any games...Snyder really couldn't be much worse.

[BigHairedAristocrat]

I know a number of people have expressed opinions that Zorn has only coached 19 games and the thought of firing him after such a short period of time would be ridiculous and reflect impatience on Snyders part. They argue that Coaches need a minimum of 2, and sometimes 3, years to fully implement their systems and start succeeding. I've seen Belichek sited as an example of this, how it took him many years, coaching several teams, before he finally became the greatest coach in the NFL.

However, there's a fatal flaw in that whole line of reasoning. Generally, when a coaching change is made, its because a team is piss-poor awful and the previous HC has been fired. The personnel is weak, and the team needs to be completely rebuilt from the ground up. So yeah, its going to take a coach 2-3 years to turn it around.

But Jim Zorn inherited a team that made the playoffs in 2 of the previous 3 years. In my estimation, the first 8 games, when we went 6-2, had more to do with the carry-over from 2007 than anything else. AFter that, the whole team started to fall apart, and its continuing to fall apart now. Zorn has won 3 of his last 11 games, including losing to arguably the 3rd worst team in the history of the NFL.

Now, i'm not saying Zorn should just be fired if he continues to fail. Theres certainly no one on the staff who could come in and replace him. However, if he doesnt turn things around by the bye week, and Shanahan or Holmgren is willing to come in and coach the rest of the season, then Zorn should be fired, followed shortly by Cerrato.

[Pocket$ $traight]

Next four with the caveat that if he loses to Tampa he probably doesn't make the trip to Carolina...