Let's talk Zorn/offense

[MTK]

My initial impressions of the offense are it's definitely a fast tempo based offense. In and out of the huddle, very little pre-snap motion, and plenty of different formations and looks. It's not an offense designed to confuse the defense at the LOS, it's an offense designed to get into a groove quickly and it's one that will attack. I also liked what I saw in the running game, and I liked Zorn's balance in playcalling. What did you think?

[12thMan]

Hmm..I think we saw a base offense. You know, just to get everyone comfortable. I think we'll see more pre-snap movement, but nothing like we saw with Saunders. You'll probably see the TE adjusting and in motion more.

I did notice that Campbell's stance wasn't as crouched under center, as Zorn said he would change when he took over.

You know we've talked a lot about Campbell learning a new offense again, this and that. But at some point, after 8 OCs, some of this stuff has to overlap. What I'm saying is football is football, and I'm not giving Campbell too much of a pass this year. I think he'll pick up this system just fine and roll with it.

[Redskins_P]

I thought the tempo was a lot quicker. I think that stood out more than anything. Campbell made some quick decisions and got the ball out in a hurry. You could tell that Campbell looked much more comfortable in the pocket. Could it be that WCO is a just a natural fit for him? I know its only one game, but damn did he look good out there.

I was also impressed with the running game. It was all a down hill style of attack. The zone blocking scheme I think is getting better now that we've been running for a couple of years now. We will definitely see more of that. If we do, CP will have a great year (possibly a career year if he stays healthy).

[redsk1]

I posted this just now in another thread but it is applicable here too...

Besides the good outings of a number of players, it looks like the players REALLY like playing for Zorn. Maybe i'm jumping to conclusions, but it looks like they want to have some fun this year. Anyone else get that feeling?

You are always going to get player-speak when they talk about their coach, but it actually looks like they like Zorn and his relaxed attitude. This year could be a special year if we can get some wins early.

[12thMan]

Another thing to take note of, the TEs had eight receptions between them. Pretty darn good.

[hail_2_da_skins]

Originally Posted by redsk1

I posted this just now in another thread but it is applicable here too...

Besides the good outings of a number of players, it looks like the players REALLY like playing for Zorn. Maybe i'm jumping to conclusions, but it looks like they want to have some fun this year. Anyone else get that feeling?

You are always going to get player-speak when they talk about their coach, but it actually looks like they like Zorn and his relaxed attitude. This year could be a special year if we can get some wins early.

That is a good observation. It did look like the team is having fun. The sideline reaction of Richardson's touchdown interception was special. Also too, the respect given to Hall of Famer's Darrell Green and Art Monk by the current players was also special. I'm glad the team sealed Redskin weekend with a victory.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

Hmm..I think we saw a base offense. You know, just to get everyone comfortable. I think we'll see more pre-snap movement, but nothing like we saw with Saunders. You'll probably see the TE adjusting and in motion more.

I did notice that Campbell's stance wasn't as crouched under center, as Zorn said he would change when he took over.

You know we've talked a lot about Campbell learning a new offense again, this and that. But at some point, after 8 OCs, some of this stuff has to overlap. What I'm saying is football is football, and I'm not giving Campbell too much of a pass this year. I think he'll pick up this system just fine and roll with it.

Good post and observations. I do, however, think the 8 OCs has stunted JC's growth. A QB can look a lot better if he has an additional fraction of a second to pass because he is reacting instead of thinking.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by redsk1

I posted this just now in another thread but it is applicable here too...

Besides the good outings of a number of players, it looks like the players REALLY like playing for Zorn. Maybe i'm jumping to conclusions, but it looks like they want to have some fun this year. Anyone else get that feeling?

You are always going to get player-speak when they talk about their coach, but it actually looks like they like Zorn and his relaxed attitude. This year could be a special year if we can get some wins early.

I agree that the sidelines and the starters seemed to be into and injoying the game. I guess its always more fun to watch the new guys when its preseason. I was impressed with how Zorn handled himself because these preason games are also important for him to ajust into the head coaching role.

[LMsexyAO]

Originally Posted by hail_2_da_skins

That is a good observation. It did look like the team is having fun. The sideline reaction of Richardson's touchdown interception was special. Also too, the respect given to Hall of Famer's Darrell Green and Art Monk by the current players was also special. I'm glad the team sealed Redskin weekend with a victory.

Watching all of the veterans on the sidelines celebrating for Richardson's touchdown was my favorite part of the night. Many of the Colt's vets didn't even make the trip to Canton, meanwhile, our guys can't even stay off the sidelines they are so excited for this team!

[Hog1]

There are many reasons why this was meaningless, which we are all aware.
BUT, what I was really struck by is the apparent comfort of our Offense ( to this point) with the new scheme.
I always felt the team had problems embracing Al's system, (at least to it's fullest). it seemed way complicated, and weighed down by it's own...........brilliance? This seems to have the potential for simple.......brillance?
FAST and EFFECTIVE

[Soup's Uncle]

Originally Posted by redsk1

I posted this just now in another thread but it is applicable here too...

Besides the good outings of a number of players, it looks like the players REALLY like playing for Zorn. Maybe i'm jumping to conclusions, but it looks like they want to have some fun this year. Anyone else get that feeling?

You are always going to get player-speak when they talk about their coach, but it actually looks like they like Zorn and his relaxed attitude. This year could be a special year if we can get some wins early.

I feel the same way. You hear the term "Player's Coach" thrown around so much. But here it really does apply I believe.

I'm actually very excited about it. They were talking about it on 980 this morning. Zorn looks very calm and relaxed on the sidelines and the players look like they really respect them. It's kind of a fresh change from the Gibbs regime where everything was very strict. It seems like this is more of a new school approach. I don't know, I just get that feeling.

[hesscl34]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

You know we've talked a lot about Campbell learning a new offense again, this and that. But at some point, after 8 OCs, some of this stuff has to overlap. What I'm saying is football is football, and I'm not giving Campbell too much of a pass this year. I think he'll pick up this system just fine and roll with it.

Good point, and I agree. But last night was positive and it gave me a little bit of hope...

[EternalEnigma21]

Hard not to like what we saw overall. My only real concern is pass protection. Not that we were horrible, but I didn't expect jansen and co to get beaten for any sacks against their backups. I know they only gave up the one, but they got creamed on both sides on that play. Run blocking looked good. I'm damn excited to see what we have in these tall fast rookie wideouts.

[FRPLG]

Loved the tempo. I thought our mix between short/intermediate/downfield was particularly encouraging though I am sure some of the more aggressive stuff was due to Colt being a slinger playing scrubs. I was definitely stoked about our running. I know they said it was the same run attack but it seemed more dynamic to me. Not so much handoff, 3 yards and a cloud dust but some more zone blocking and using the younger guys more athletically.

In particular I loved the use of the WRs downfield in between the hashes. That's aggressive. I did think our line looked only ok and some guys looked downright craptastic but I have faith Bugel can get them tightened up.

All in all it was encouraging but Like 12th said it was only a base offense and it wont work against starters for a whole game so we don't much more than we did before other than that the tempo is up there and the players seem to like the offense. I think that'll help that are excited to be doing the things they are doing.

Another thing to me was our discipline. Not a whole lot of penalties along the line which can be expected at this point.

[jdlea]

I know it was just the HOF Game and it was the first preseason game AND the Colts didn't play a lot of guys, but I felt like that offense could be something special. Campbell looked about as good as I've seen him, no incompletions will do that and Colt ripped up the scrubs. I will say, I thought Collins looked bad, accurate when throwing the ball, but a bit indecisive.

I don't know why, I have a really good feeling about this team, right now. I'm hoping that Jim Zorn can become the kind of coach who sticks around for 10 years or so and that Jason Campbell is forever tied to him. The way Favre and Holmgren still are. I would love to see that happen, the Skins can't keep running through coaches and players the way they have since Snyder took over. I'm hoping that Zorn, Campbell, and Portis can be guys that this team builds around and this team returns to sustained respectability and occasional glory in the form of Super Bowl wins. Gibbs put them on the right track and Snyder is starting to "grow up" as an owner and it's up to Zorn to take them to the next level, imo.

Just so we're clear, I didn't come to all of these conclusions based on the HOF game, I've been thinking this for a little while. I'm really thinking/hoping that the Zorn regime can be great.