Zorn Will Still "Do it All" in 2009

[Hail to the Redskins]

washingtonpost.com

I don't know if someone already linked to this article, but one part that stands out is...

"Zorn also emphatically dismissed suggestions he wore too many hats as head coach, play-caller and, essentially, quarterbacks coach...

The coaching staff also should continue to grow in 2009, Zorn said. "We can maintain our group," he said. "We're going to look at ways we can improve ourselves."

Part of that process apparently does not include Zorn divesting himself of any of his duties.

"I didn't ever feel overwhelmed with the responsibility of being the head football coach here," Zorn said. "My hope is that I'm going to be strong, stronger, in the overall managing of the total team. Even getting stronger and stronger as a head coach.

"But coaching quarterbacks, I've got a great assistant in Chris Meidt, and he takes on a tremendous amount of responsibility, but I'm still going to be involved with the QBs. The play-calling? I kind of like that."


... For those wondering if anything would change on offense for next year, Zorn also said in the article that he's not going to change the scheme, he is going to ask the players to improve... hmmmm ... ok... that's fine. I guess we'll see what really happens.

[MTK]

Let's clarify a bit as to what he said exactly regarding scheme:

Growing pains were expected on offense in the first year of the transition to Zorn's version of the West Coast offense, which features many three- and four-receiver sets. But the inability of the players to execute consistently in the spread scheme has prompted Zorn and his offensive assistants to "look at our schemes," he said. "I'm not coming up with a whole new scheme on offense because we didn't score points. I'm talking about looking at our schemes, building on our strengths and trying to improve or close the gaps on our weaknesses.

[Dirtbag59]

As long as we find a way to revive the running game then I'm all for it. This offense collapsed more so because of the running game then anything and that includes problems at Quarterback as well as our lines ability to pass protect.

[diehardskin2982]

the offense will continue to be garbage no matter who is calling the plays because the team doesn't know how to go long. They are so used to the Gibbs game plan, it cripples the playcalling.

[jboogey]

We need to draft linemen, offensive or defensive.

[Hail to the Redskins]

I agree that the line should be held accountable a little... but to me, the West Coast Offense is supposed to be a 3-5-7 step drop, then get rid of the ball kind of offense.

Many times, Campbell would plant and hold or pump fake, being afraid to throw into SINGLE coverage if he thought it was tight. My assumption is that Zorn drilled into him from day one "do NOT turn the ball over"... which is GREAT and understandable...

But look at the whole equation and you also see our receiving core as:

* One short,above-average receiver who was doubled for the MAJORITY of the season (Moss)

* One short receiver who really isn't a "receiver" that runs crisp routes, escapes jams, and is finding holes in the D (Randel El)

* 2 completely unreliable (to HC & QB), yet "tall", young receivers who are just NOT understanding that being an NFL receiver isn't just "run and catch" and that there is a massive playbook that involves READING in order to truly be effective and trustworthy. Obviously, Zorn didn't trust them to run routes effectively, and Campbell didn't, at the end, trust that they's CATCH the ball. (If you heard the broadcast Sunday the announcer mentions on one play that D Thomas had one-on-one coverage deep and Campbell looked off of him and threw the ball away)

* and... one great receiving TE that was focused on & surrounded every play once down inside the opponent's 30 yd line.

So to me, I think that you add Campbell's desperately NOt wanting to throw INTS + Receivers not being "clearly" open, and there is half of the sacks this season.

Eventually though, Campbell started to learn to just pack it in and take off, which is one good lesson that came out of it all for next year.


Also..

I think our running game suffered at the end because teams figured out that they didn't have to worry about the deep pass as most of Zorns plays call for 6-9 yd routes, and that Campbell was hesitant to "throw one up", so safeties were up, linebackers weren't pressed into coverage (as you saw other teams do to us), etc... If we had a passing offense (that included stretching the field), the run game would come back

[jboogey]

I watch all the games on TV so, unfortunately, I dont get to see the whole field due to poor camerawork. As a result, I rarely see where all the players are on the field.

I agree, though. I think the problem would be solved if he would just get rid of the ball faster... When he does complete a pass, it looks like if the ball had gotten there quicker the receivers, especially Moss, could pick up some YAC.

[jboogey]

The first thing Zorn needs to teach Campbell is HOW TO SLIDE.

[jboogey]

I think the only way for us to get better is to trade somebody, I have no idea who, for draft picks.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by jboogey

The first thing Zorn needs to teach Campbell is HOW TO SLIDE.

I'm surprised that in all those runs Campbell only got planted once, or at least to my recollection, only by Brian Dawkins.

[30gut]

Plenty of WCO coaches do it all, i'm cool with that, he showed during the 1st half of the season that he is a good offense mind. But unlike other WCO coaches Zorn lacks a knowledgeable and experienced WCO staff to lean on..
HC-OC-QB coach + Staff

Holmgren had Gil Haskell and Zorn + WCO staff
Reid has Morningwig and Pat Shurmur + WCO staff
McCarthy has Philbin and Tom Clements + WCO staff
Shanahan had Rick Dennison and Jeremy bates + WCO staff

Zorn has Sherman Smith a 1st time OC who is learning the WCO and NO QB COACH (Chris Meidt offensive assistants helps fill the QB coach role a 1st time NFL assistant a former Div.III HC) + 1 Staffer Stump Mitchell that knows the WCO

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Let's clarify a bit as to what he said exactly regarding scheme:

"I'm not coming up with a whole new scheme on offense because we didn't score points. I'm talking about looking at our schemes, building on our strengths and trying to improve or close the gaps on our weaknesses."

So let's see ... look at their schemes, build on their strengths, improve on their weaknesses.

That doesn't really clarify anything for me. If anything, that reinforces what he's been saying all along -- he's not changing a damn thing.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by Hail to the Redskins

I agree that the line should be held accountable a little... but to me, the West Coast Offense is supposed to be a 3-5-7 step drop, then get rid of the ball kind of offense.

Many times, Campbell would plant and hold or pump fake, being afraid to throw into SINGLE coverage if he thought it was tight. My assumption is that Zorn drilled into him from day one "do NOT turn the ball over"... which is GREAT and understandable...

But look at the whole equation and you also see our receiving core as:

* One short,above-average receiver who was doubled for the MAJORITY of the season (Moss)

* One short receiver who really isn't a "receiver" that runs crisp routes, escapes jams, and is finding holes in the D (Randel El)

* 2 completely unreliable (to HC & QB), yet "tall", young receivers who are just NOT understanding that being an NFL receiver isn't just "run and catch" and that there is a massive playbook that involves READING in order to truly be effective and trustworthy. Obviously, Zorn didn't trust them to run routes effectively, and Campbell didn't, at the end, trust that they's CATCH the ball. (If you heard the broadcast Sunday the announcer mentions on one play that D Thomas had one-on-one coverage deep and Campbell looked off of him and threw the ball away)

* and... one great receiving TE that was focused on & surrounded every play once down inside the opponent's 30 yd line.

So to me, I think that you add Campbell's desperately NOt wanting to throw INTS + Receivers not being "clearly" open, and there is half of the sacks this season.

Eventually though, Campbell started to learn to just pack it in and take off, which is one good lesson that came out of it all for next year.


Also..

I think our running game suffered at the end because teams figured out that they didn't have to worry about the deep pass as most of Zorns plays call for 6-9 yd routes, and that Campbell was hesitant to "throw one up", so safeties were up, linebackers weren't pressed into coverage (as you saw other teams do to us), etc... If we had a passing offense (that included stretching the field), the run game would come back

Good post. And to add to your last statement, Trent Dilfer on Colin Cowherd's show said that a power running game and short passing attacks do not mix. Dilfer said they tried that in Tampa Bay, and it does not work. Makes sense. If the D is geared up to stop the run, and you have nothing but short pass patterns under 10 yards, most everyone on defense is already in that area to begin with and the receivers get decked as soon as the ball reaches them.

[MTK]

To me he's saying he's going to build on what they've got, but he's confident in the core system. I can't say I disagree, I don't think we need drastic changes. Let's try a wacky idea and try to keep some continuity going not only in the players and coaches, but also the systems.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

To me he's saying he's going to build on what they've got, but he's confident in the core system. I can't say I disagree, I don't think we need drastic changes. Let's try a wacky idea and try to keep some continuity going not only in the players and coaches, but also the systems.

So we keep the players, coaches, scheme ... everything. Then hope that with more time reading the playbook, then we'll start seeing more yardage and more points?

Sounds like doing the same exact thing, and expecting different results.