Redskins hire offensive consultant

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

I think regardless of his potential production, here's why I think he was a mistake. What's the best case scenario for his production with a healthy Cooley, 20 catches, 3 TD? That's not 2nd round production. The reason he was a mistake was where he was drafted in relation to other needs we had. We had a pro bowl TE already. I didn't have a problem with drafting Kelly and Thomas in the 2nd, but with that extra 2nd round pick a TE was an extreme luxury for a team with major needs at the time.

Lest we all for get, Cerrato doesn't pick for what the team needs he picks Best player Available. Which is why we have only a few lineman. and then the one DE we pick up has to be moved to SLB cause that is what our need was and he was the closest thing to it.

I don't man to knock Cerrato too much cause I do like Thomas, Kelly, and Davis but with out decent position coach's we get mediocracy and still with a need to inject life into our O-line.

I'll also say that I keep hearing how the O-line is not giving JC enough time to throw the ball....I think the O-line is. It's far fetched to think the O-line is going to give him 10 sec. or more to get the ball to someone. In most cases the QB only has 3-7 seconds. In most cases. Which is exactly what JC is getting. I think it has more to do with either the route running the WR's are doing, not getting seperation, or JC is actually so nervous back there he's not observing the whole field.

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Originally Posted by Lotus

Possibility 3) Cerrato told Zorn that having a quality control guy on offense would be a good idea. He then asked Zorn who a good choice for the job would be. Zorn said, "Sherman Lewis."

Reading Zorn's comments, it's obvious he doesn't like the idea of someone else being here or think its necessary, so i HIGHLY doubt possibility 3.

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by over the mountain

I dont think unemployed coaches (like holmgren) would feel comfortable talking about taking over another HC's job while that HC (JZ) is still employed with the team.

Heard an analyst say that if the skins really want to get one of the big coaches for next season they will have to be one of the first teams approaching the big 3 (holmgren, cowher, shannahan). Which means they shouldn't let the decision to fire JZ linger into the offseason.

obviously we are speculating here but imo all signs point to JZ being fired in a few weeks, with sherm taking on the playcalling duties and blache being the HC. this was not a possibility before the hiring of sherm since blache has never called plays. the DS probably wanted to fire zorn after the lions game, vinny and others told him they dont have anyone to call plays, the DS says find a guy who can so when i get my next gut instinct to fire JZ i can.

if zorn gets fired in the next few weeks, its just going to be another typical DS move . . . go i f'in hate what our franchise has turned into.

The Examiner's John Keim caught up with a current NFL GM, who said this:

"My gut feeling is that they will let him come in and be here two to three weeks and if things don't get better, he now knows the offense and the talent and he becomes the playcaller and they name Blache the head coach -- if things don't change."

Or Jason La Canfora, who went on the NFL Network and said this:

"Talking to some people there at Redskins Park, there's no denying that yesterday they had no one on staff who was capable of running that offense on an interim basis if Jim Zorn were to be relieved of his duties mid-season. Now they do. Lewis can be there, study with them, be in the meeting rooms, all that stuff. And if they make a move, that's someone who has called plays and has been a coordinator at the NFL level in the West Coast system."

go skins i suppose . . .

I don't see a mid season firing as 'another typical DS move' at all. Let's assume we're 3-4 at the break (losing to Carolina and Philly, beating KC) and still struggling to score. That would be 5-10 over the past 15 games and no positive signs that we're improving. What is accomplished, other than further infuriating your fan base, by letting Zorn coach out the string? He'd obviously be a lame duck and if he's not improving, why not make a change? Now if we're 4-3 and making strides offensively, he will probably play out the season and see what happens.

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by SBXVII

[/B]

Lest we all for get, Cerrato doesn't pick for what the team needs he picks Best player Available. Which is why we have only a few lineman. and then the one DE we pick up has to be moved to SLB cause that is what our need was and he was the closest thing to it.

I don't man to knock Cerrato too much cause I do like Thomas, Kelly, and Davis but with out decent position coach's we get mediocracy and still with a need to inject life into our O-line.

I'll also say that I keep hearing how the O-line is not giving JC enough time to throw the ball....I think the O-line is. It's far fetched to think the O-line is going to give him 10 sec. or more to get the ball to someone. In most cases the QB only has 3-7 seconds. In most cases. Which is exactly what JC is getting. I think it has more to do with either the route running the WR's are doing, not getting seperation, or JC is actually so nervous back there he's not observing the whole field.

I read somewhere yesterday (sorry I can't remember where and provide the link) that one of the problems with JC/our passing game is that his lack of trust in the OL is such that he's moving too quickly thru his progressions (as opposed to the 'he locks onto receivers' criticism) which leads to quick checkdowns and missing open receivers.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

I read somewhere yesterday (sorry I can't remember where and provide the link) that one of the problems with JC/our passing game is that his lack of trust in the OL is such that he's moving too quickly thru his progressions (as opposed to the 'he locks onto receivers' criticism) which leads to quick checkdowns and missing open receivers.

that's an interesting point. That first sack/fumble was just as much or more on JC as the o line. He stepped up in the pocket but did so too quickly considering he didn't get rid of it. He could've stayed behind his blockers a second or two longer. I see why Zorn said he should've run it, cause he stepped right into the pressure.

[rbanerjee23]

Bye Bye Zorn...hello Holmgren/Lewis

[dmvskinzfan08]

I think its simple. He is here to help but also evaluate Zorn. I am sure he will report back to DS and let him know if it is more about the players we have, the play calling, the preparation in pratices, skill position coaches, etc.

Then DS will know if Zorn has what it takes and if other factors are contributing to them not being a potent offense. But I don't think it's good news for Zorn either way.

[dmvskinzfan08]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

that's an interesting point. That first sack/fumble was just as much or more on JC as the o line. He stepped up in the pocket but did so too quickly considering he didn't get rid of it. He could've stayed behind his blockers a second or two longer. I see why Zorn said he should've run it, cause he stepped right into the pressure.

Well I am sure he was taught to step us since there was a big issue with him fumbling in the game against the Giants because he didn't step up. I think JC is not getting clear direction and on the other hand he does not have the freedom to think for himself. He has to think too much -- instead of letting him go out there and use his instincts. If I was him I would dump it off to Cooley also. But what makes some people think that "at times" Cooley isn't the best option when our best receiver is getting double teamed and the other WRs are not creating separation. Also if he doesn't have time then he is going to rush things. But its a combination of a few things. This is exactly why Sherm Lewis was brought in to find out what the issue is with our offense.

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by Lotus

Possibility 3) Cerrato told Zorn that having a quality control guy on offense would be a good idea. He then asked Zorn who a good choice for the job would be. Zorn said, "Sherman Lewis."

Well that's just crazy Lotus. There's no behind the scenes intrigue in that. That is pretty much what has been reported and is probably what's going on. Zorn didn't ask for help but it was something the FO wanted to do. A list of names were put forth and Zorn agreed with Lewis since he knows the WCO so well and both are familiar with the same terminology having both worked with Holmgren. Like I posted before, businessmen do this all the time and Snyder has ran this team like one of his other business'es since he's owned the team. Vinny was in SF when they did it and probably thought it was a good idea. Not as much cloak and dagger as people like but probably all there is to it.

[Paintrain]

Bruce Allen on Sirius NFL Radio on bringing in consultants:
-He's done if before with Marv Levy, Bill Walsh, Deacon Jones, etc.
-Effectiveness depends on the consultant, he's not familiar with Sherman Lewis personally
-It's better to add than to subtract (fire)
-He didn't express a strong position either way but he said he doesn't understand the early changes in coordinators or firing a coach this early.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

Bruce Allen on Sirius NFL Radio on bringing in consultants:
-He's done if before with Marv Levy, Bill Walsh, Deacon Jones, etc.
-Effectiveness depends on the consultant, he's not familiar with Sherman Lewis personally
-It's better to add than to subtract (fire)
-He didn't express a strong position either way but he said he doesn't understand the early changes in coordinators or firing a coach this early.

That's a good point and maybe we should give some credit to Vinny for trying to help the situation rather than assuming it means Zorn is hanging by an even thinner thread. Or that Lewis is here as a mole for Holmgren, which I think is a ridiculous assumption.

[53Fan]

I just saw Lewis on Redskins Nation. He said him and Zorn sat down and watched film last night and his first impression was a different player messes up and bogs down the offense. A tackle messes up one play then a guard the next, or a receiver jumps etc. Zorn told him to be honest and tell him what he sees so they can discuss it. He hopes by not having been so close to the situation maybe he'll see something that can help. I think he might come to the same conclusion I have. The execution and our own mistakes (dropped passes-fumbles-penalties) are killing us.

[dmvskinzfan08]

Originally Posted by SBXVII

[/b]

Lest we all for get, Cerrato doesn't pick for what the team needs he picks Best player Available. Which is why we have only a few lineman. and then the one DE we pick up has to be moved to SLB cause that is what our need was and he was the closest thing to it.

I don't man to knock Cerrato too much cause I do like Thomas, Kelly, and Davis but with out decent position coach's we get mediocracy and still with a need to inject life into our O-line.

I'll also say that I keep hearing how the O-line is not giving JC enough time to throw the ball....I think the O-line is. It's far fetched to think the O-line is going to give him 10 sec. or more to get the ball to someone. In most cases the QB only has 3-7 seconds. In most cases. Which is exactly what JC is getting. I think it has more to do with either the route running the WR's are doing, not getting seperation, or JC is actually so nervous back there he's not observing the whole field.

Good point. I definitely was okay with him picking the best available player in the draft at first. But now it doesn't make sense. We better load up on OLs this draft and a RB and get a linebacker in free agency. Let's concentrate on positions of need. If we get a linebacker in free agency maybe we can put Orakpo on the line.

So everyone is talking about getting a QB in the draft. We need to use one of our first to picks on OLs. Maybe we can cut a deal for another pick so we can get a QB. Hope someone slips into our hands because of injury. i.e, Bradford. If we don't draft OLs it would be best to get Mike Vick. At least he can scarmble well..lol. That's a joke about getting Mike Vick. Maybe. We will see how he does the rest of the season. Also remember Philly is just his stepping stone and now that DS has seen that there hasn't been a lot of heat. I bet he will be salivating to check him out. Even if he does draft a QB. There is going to be a lot of things going on with this team because of the uncapped season going on. But as for now. Let's hope JC suceeds despite the doubters. If not we have to evaulate our next Qb thoroughly whether it is in the draft, free agency or a trade. Because if not we will run them out of town quickly if they dont become a pro bowler by their second year as a starter. Maybe sooner.

[dmvskinzfan08]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

That's a good point and maybe we should give some credit to Vinny for trying to help the situation rather than assuming it means Zorn is hanging by an even thinner thread. Or that Lewis is here as a mole for Holmgren, which I think is a ridiculous assumption.

Are you the same guy that writes the blog? Or am I just late realizing this? Or is it obvious. Just asking. I know one guy on there leaving comments was a total asshole!!

[MTK]

Originally Posted by dmvskinzfan08

Are you the same guy that writes the blog? Or am I just late realizing this? Or is it obvious. Just asking. I know one guy on there leaving comments was a total asshole!!

what blog?