***Official*** 2009 Washington Redskins Thread (1 Viewer)

[ChrisCooleyFan]

62 points the last 5 weeks, Pats have 52 in less then 3 qrts.

 

[dgreen]

62 points the last 5 weeks, Pats have 52 in less then 3 qrts.

62-59. Come on, Skins, you can win this one!

 

[dgreen]

Whose leg is more tired: Gostkowski or Pakulak?

 

[dgreen]

Wife texted a few minutes ago to say there was a nasty fight in the section next to them.

I listened on the radio today and that was the main concern of the announcers at the end of the game --- the crowd getting violent on the way out.

After picking up the wife and daughter at the Metro station, she was telling me about the fight. Apparently a couple guys were actually falling over rows of seats tumbling down while punching each other. Good stuff there.Driving home, I actually heard Larry Michael with some negative/critical talk. I mean, it wasn't over-the-top BMitch style, but it wasn't his usual "everything is ok" talk. When your own personal mouth-piece is saying "the problems start at the top", you have problems. Although, I'm pretty sure Michael was referring to Zorn as "the top".

 

[DCThunder]

After watching this Eagles-Raiders game, perhaps a blow-out win by the Eagles next Monday isn't a foregone coclusion. The Skins will lose, make no mistake, but it might be another 16-13 game, not a 35-12 type game.

 

[dgreen]

Reason #474 to fire Zorn:

Before the game, Devin Thomas was named the starter today in place of Malcolm Kelly. But, Kelly remained active. Anyone here see him on the field? I don't remember seeing him. Here's an idea. If you're going to have these guys who have proven nothing on the team and not put them on the field, then make them inactive and activate a guy like Marko Mitchell.

Of course, the more pissed off I get as this season progresses, the more I can believe that decisions such as these are made by someone higher up than Zorn.

 

[dgreen]

I remember draft day last year thinking how stupid it was to use all 3 2nd-round picks on receivers. But, I thought, "Hey, one of them HAS to work out!" I was wrong.

 

[Sebowski]

Kelli Johnson reported on the CSN postgame show that she's hearing Gruden would not come here. One thing Gruden is apparently looking for is a team with a good starting QB situation. I'm neither a Campbell lover nor a Campbell hater. I don't think he's the problem and I don't think he's the solution. But, if Gruden did happen to like him, he'll probably have to look into him a little more now that he's been benched.

I will be listening very closely to all of Gruden's Redskins comments.

I remember draft day last year thinking how stupid it was to use all 3 2nd-round picks on receivers. But, I thought, "Hey, one of them HAS to work out!" I was wrong.

I was heard saying the same thing. Never really liked fitting a TE in there though. That pick was just dumb all around and everyone knew/knows it.

 

[TankRizzo]

I was heard saying the same thing. Never really liked fitting a TE in there though. That pick was just dumb all around and everyone knew/knows it.

Exactly....when Oher was on the board I was hoping they would move up and get him....sadly, a team with a real front office did that. After that I was at least hoping for maybe Quentin Groves or an O-lineman. Alas, 3 receivers who probably won't even catch on with another team after we've disposed of them.

 

[Sidewinder16]

Zorn will no longer call plays.

The Redskins' public relations team announced late Sunday night that Vinny Cerrato, the executive vice president of football operations, had met with Coach Jim Zorn after the game Sunday and told him he thought Zorn had too much on his plate. Cerrato said that someone else should call the plays and Zorn did not disagree, according to Zack Bolno, the Redskins' director of communications.

Cerrato and Zorn will meet Monday to decide who will call the plays.

 

[PantherPower]

This is the right move, but makes me feel bad for Zorn. He was first hired JUST TO CALL PLAYS. If they are taking that away, and he's never been a head coach before, what's the point for keeping him on the payroll? I think the ONLY reason Dan hasn't fired him yet is he worries about the backlash for firing yet another coach. Its a lose-lose situation IMO.

 

[ChrisCooleyFan]

This is the 1st of many jobs to be lost

 

[TankRizzo]

Zorn will no longer call plays.

The Redskins' public relations team announced late Sunday night that Vinny Cerrato, the executive vice president of football operations, had met with Coach Jim Zorn after the game Sunday and told him he thought Zorn had too much on his plate. Cerrato said that someone else should call the plays and Zorn did not disagree, according to Zack Bolno, the Redskins' director of communications.

Cerrato and Zorn will meet Monday to decide who will call the plays.

How ironic....Vinny hires this guy as the Offensive Coordinator 2 years ago, now he's stripping him of that duty. I think the stripping of duties needs to be done a little further up the chain as well.

 

[Marvelous]

Zorn will no longer call plays.

The Redskins' public relations team announced late Sunday night that Vinny Cerrato, the executive vice president of football operations, had met with Coach Jim Zorn after the game Sunday and told him he thought Zorn had too much on his plate. Cerrato said that someone else should call the plays and Zorn did not disagree, according to Zack Bolno, the Redskins' director of communications.

Cerrato and Zorn will meet Monday to decide who will call the plays.

The emasculation of Jim Zorn continues.Seriously, the job of the front office is to see these issues during the off season and address them then. Since they did not, it is clear that they thought Zorn uas just fine entering the season. The Sherman Lewis hire and now taking away play calling are all knee jerk reactions to their lack of foresight.

 

[ChrisCooleyFan]

Alvin Walton's Warriors going for there 2nd win

 

[TankRizzo]

The emasculation of Jim Zorn continues.Seriously, the job of the front office is to see these issues during the off season and address them then. Since they did not, it is clear that they thought Zorn uas just fine entering the season. The Sherman Lewis hire and now taking away play calling are all knee jerk reactions to their lack of foresight.

I don't think the hogs in their prime could have done Zorn's playcalling any better.

 

[Sidewinder16]

Zorn will no longer call plays.

The Redskins' public relations team announced late Sunday night that Vinny Cerrato, the executive vice president of football operations, had met with Coach Jim Zorn after the game Sunday and told him he thought Zorn had too much on his plate. Cerrato said that someone else should call the plays and Zorn did not disagree, according to Zack Bolno, the Redskins' director of communications.

Cerrato and Zorn will meet Monday to decide who will call the plays.

The emasculation of Jim Zorn continues.Seriously, the job of the front office is to see these issues during the off season and address them then. Since they did not, it is clear that they thought Zorn uas just fine entering the season. The Sherman Lewis hire and now taking away play calling are all knee jerk reactions to their lack of foresight.

Knee jerk reactions are what Snyderatto do best. The whole organization is so screwed up that there is no magic pill at this point. Just changing the QB won't solve anything. Just changing the coach (or who calls plays) won't change anything. Just changing the GM won't inherently change anything. It's being said more and more, but it really is going to take a giant shift in operational philosophy, from the top to the bottom, to affect change.

 

[thayman]

I remember draft day last year thinking how stupid it was to use all 3 2nd-round picks on receivers. But, I thought, "Hey, one of them HAS to work out!" I was wrong.

I thought the exact same thing.

 

[thayman]

Zorn will no longer call plays.

The Redskins' public relations team announced late Sunday night that Vinny Cerrato, the executive vice president of football operations, had met with Coach Jim Zorn after the game Sunday and told him he thought Zorn had too much on his plate. Cerrato said that someone else should call the plays and Zorn did not disagree, according to Zack Bolno, the Redskins' director of communications.

Cerrato and Zorn will meet Monday to decide who will call the plays.

The emasculation of Jim Zorn continues.Seriously, the job of the front office is to see these issues during the off season and address them then. Since they did not, it is clear that they thought Zorn uas just fine entering the season. The Sherman Lewis hire and now taking away play calling are all knee jerk reactions to their lack of foresight.

A lot of these moves look pretty desperate on the side of Cerrato. If he's let go and Snyder picks up someone competent this season will be worth it.

 

[lod01]

Hate to tell ya but it doesn't matter who the HC is. This team blows.

 

[buster c]

Our only hope for a competitive team in the near future would require the following:

1. NFL has an uncapped year next year, Snyder spends half his net worth on pickups that actually pan out

2. We get Shannahan, Chucky, Cower, or some other competent proven NFL coach

3. Santana Moss becomes the Skins #2, better yet, #3 WR

4. Cooley gets utilized in the passing game EVERY week

I've probably left a dozen other necessities, but that's a start.

hope?you have hope?

I hope you're not serious.

funny to read all the "negative" comments here of late

as if any of this is a surprise

I wrote all about this in the off-season thread

and got hammered for being "negative"

this is no surprise

 

[fatness]

A lot of these moves look pretty desperate on the side of Cerrato.

I think so too. Hiring Sherm Lewis looked desperate. Yanking the playcalling duties right after a loss looks desperate. I think Vinnie feels his job is on the line.I hope it is. With the #### roster he's put together he'll never be able to save it.

 

[fatness]

Here's the plan. We put LSD in the drinking water of the Tennessee front office. They're already upset about today's beating, and that'll make them go completely nuts. They'll fire Jeff Fisher. Welcome to Washington Jeff.

 

[dgreen]

Zorn will no longer call plays.

The Redskins' public relations team announced late Sunday night that Vinny Cerrato, the executive vice president of football operations, had met with Coach Jim Zorn after the game Sunday and told him he thought Zorn had too much on his plate. Cerrato said that someone else should call the plays and Zorn did not disagree, according to Zack Bolno, the Redskins' director of communications.

Cerrato and Zorn will meet Monday to decide who will call the plays.

This is a job for the public relations team? Seriously? This couldn't wait for Zorn's PC tomorrow? He couldn't make this announcement himself?And I love how it says "someone else" should call plays. Who? Oh, wait, where did we put that 1991 Joe Gibbs? Is that a 1984 Bill Walsh in the corner? Will you look at that! It's none other than Don Coryell. He's been on the staff this whole time. Things are going to change now. I can feel it.

 

[dgreen]

Zorn will no longer call plays.

The Redskins' public relations team announced late Sunday night that Vinny Cerrato, the executive vice president of football operations, had met with Coach Jim Zorn after the game Sunday and told him he thought Zorn had too much on his plate. Cerrato said that someone else should call the plays and Zorn did not disagree, according to Zack Bolno, the Redskins' director of communications.

Cerrato and Zorn will meet Monday to decide who will call the plays.

Some updated info:

Cerrato and Zorn, who declined to comment when reached at his home Sunday night, will meet Monday to decide who will call the plays.

According to Bolno, Redskins owner Daniel Snyder is aware of the decision.

Reached Sunday night, Sherman Lewis, hired as an offensive consultant on Oct. 6 -- before losses to Carolina and Kansas City -- said he had not yet heard about the move. "I'm just sitting here watching the game film, trying to correct it," Lewis said. "I haven't heard anything."

 

[dgreen]

Jason Campbell interview:

Campbell discusses benching, future

Quarterback Jason Campbell declined to speak with reporters after Sunday's dreary 14-6 loss to the formerly winless Kansas City Chiefs at FedEx Field. In a phone interview Sunday night, Campbell commented on his benching after halftime, Coach Jim Zorn being stripped of play-calling duties and the plight of the Washington Redskins.

Q: What did Zorn say to you at halftime about his decision to go with backup Todd Collins in the second half?

A: "He told me he was going to put Todd in the game so he could just see if he could give us a spark. He said to me, 'I've got to try to find a way to give us a spark.' It was his decision.

"I'm just going to take it stride. Everyone always wants to point the finger at me, and that's why I always say you have to keep your head up, keep going, keep moving because you know what's going on. You know what's really happening. You can't let it get you down and you can't let it distract you.

"Of course, any competitor doesn't like being pulled from a game. You always know that you can come in and get the job done in the second half, you believe you can do that, and you'd like everyone else to believe you can. But you can't control what other people do or believe.

"It happened earlier this year against Tampa Bay, and I think I showed what I can do, showed how I keep fighting and doing everything I can help this team and lead this team, when I'm given that chance. But at the same time, it was his decision to make and he made the decision. So that's just what it was."

Q: Although you're completing 65.6 percent of your passes, you really struggled in the first half on a variety of throws, including a deep ball to wide receiver Santana Moss that fell incomplete. What happened?

A: "I saw Santana and I tried to make a throw down the field. I tried to hold the safety, but I left it maybe a yard or two inside more than I wanted. Other than that, on third down maybe, I had a couple of chances but I hadn't found my rhythm at that point.

"Sometimes it takes you a while to find your rhythm in games and I just didn't find it in the first half. No excuses. The ball to Santana was definitely one I would have liked to have back because it could have been a big play. I just didn't have my rhythm early on. But I also didn't have my rhythm in the game against Tampa Bay. I got hit early, I fumbled, I had a couple of picks.

"In this game, I got a pick because I tried to throw the ball to the end zone to give a chance because there's no time left. It would be crazy t hold the ball and keep running with it. I just stopped and threw it up to try to give Malcolm [Kelly] a shot at it. That interception was just something at the end of the half that was my only option. So I guess they just wanted to see what would be different with a different guy."

Q: How did you feel when the crowd cheered for Collins to start the second half?

A: "You definitely hear it. You know that people are basically looking at you like you're the only problem. That if it wasn't for you, things would be going a lot better than they are for us right now. At the same time, I want our team to be successful.

"So when the decision was made to put Todd in, I was behind him. The fans wanted him in there and you heard it, but I can't let that get me down. I can't let that get me discouraged. You know some people would like you to get down, but I always try to stay positive because that's the only way you can come back and get better. I just took it for what it is and tried not to get discouraged about it.

"Todd came over and talked to me. He told me that's something he went through before when he got pulled from a game. He said, 'Man, just keep your head up. Don't get down. I've been through it before, too.' That's really all you can do."

Q: Are you surprised Zorn has been stripped of play-calling duties?

A: "Right, now, I'm really not trying to figure out anything around here. ... I can't tell you where the issues start at and what to do about them. It's the most awkward position to be in as a team. We've all talked about it as teammates and we all can't put a finger on it. You can't to any one person. Right now, it's just a crazy situation, a tough situation, and I don't think anyone knows how to" fix it."

Q: Do you expect to be the starting quarterback when the Redskins begin preparations tomorrow to face the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night?

A: "I don't know. That's probably his [Zorn's] decision.

"Like I said, I think they wanted to see if things would be different or see if there was a spark. But whatever [his role] is this week, I'm just going to keep working hard for my teammates, stay positive and move forward."

Q: Do you believe you're still in the Redskins' long-term plans?

A: "I'm not even thinking that far ahead. At the moment, I'm not thinking that far ahead at all. I really can't do that right now. But I know this: I am definitely at a critical point of my career.

"Right now, we're just not being successful as we want to be and as I still believe we can be as far as a whole team. We have some great players on this team. We have some things that we can do. But right now, for whatever reason, things are not happening for us. I'm focused on the team, so I really don't want to look far ahead.

"I want us to get this turned around. That's really what I'm thinking about. But, yeah, I am a critical part of my career where you just want the opportunity to try to be successful."

 

[Bizkiteer]

Alvin Walton's Warriors going for there 2nd win

LOL, someone's on a roll...WATCH OUT!!!

 

[fatness]

Yet despite another solid performance, one image off the field stood out more than any other on it: star defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth sprinting to the tunnel before the final seconds had ticked off the clock of another disappointing loss.

The action spoke to the frustrations within a team that has failed to live up to preseason expectations and for a defense that has performed well while the offense has sputtered and failed to put up points.

After the game, team sources said Haynesworth spoke passionately during the postgame speech, calling for accountability from teammates and playing with more heart. Haynesworth's voice could be heard in the hallway outside the locker room before it was opened to the media.

Haynesworth was not in the locker room when it was opened to reporters.

Washington Post

 

[fatness]

With less than four minutes to play in FedEx Field, the sparse remains of the Redskins crowd stood as one. And they did nothing.

They did not cheer. They did not exhort their team to block a long field goal by a Kansas City rookie named Ryan Succop, the final player picked in the last NFL draft, which would put the awful Chiefs, losers of 28 of their previous 30 games, ahead 9-6.

The crowd did not boo, either. Instead, in a sight I can never remember at a sporting event, the fans spontaneously shared a moment of silence, a communal mortification, as they stood witness to the bleakest moment -- all factors considered -- in the history of the Redskins franchise.

Then, after the 46-yard kick sailed through the goal posts, a boot by Mr. Irrelevant defeating the NFL's new Team Irrelevant, most of the crowd quietly marched out.

Boswell

 

[fatness]

A team source just confirmed that Sherman Lewis -- in town less than two weeks in his role of offensive consultant -- will be the Redskins' new play caller.

Under the I --- 24!BINGO!

 

[Marvelous]

Interesting blurb from PFT:

Zorn, Cerrato's fates apparently are intertwinedPosted by Mike Florio on October 18, 2009 9:58 PM ETRedskins fans, there might be signs of hope in D.C., after all.We're hearing that there's a strong belief within the Redskins organization that the fates of coach Jim Zorn and V.P. of football operations Vinny Cerrato are tied together.So if/when Zorn goes, Cerrato could be dumped, too. (There's a chance Zorn would go after the Eagles game next Monday, and that Cerrato wouldn't be fired until after the season ends.)That might help explain why Zorn and Cerrato will decide tomorrow who'll call the plays for the rest of the year. And why Zorn didn't simply refuse to give up his play-calling function.The next question becomes who'll call the plays?If it's not Sherm Lewis, we're not sure who it will be. Mike Holmgren? Joe Gibbs? Dan Snyder?That said, Zorn should have refused to give up his play-calling duties and forced his termination. Instead, he has now allowed himself to be systematically neutered over the past two weeks, with the addition of Lewis and now the surrender of one of Zorn's core functions.

The front office desparation moves have been especially rah this year. So maybe (hopefully) Cerrato's job is on the line.

 

[Marvelous]

A team source just confirmed that Sherman Lewis -- in town less than two weeks in his role of offensive consultant -- will be the Redskins' new play caller.

Under the I --- 24!BINGO!

I am already imagining converstaions on the Redskin sideline next week:Lewis: The pass rush is really getting to us. Let's call a rollout pass.Jim Zorn: Uh, we don't have that in the playbook.Lewis: Well, let's just throw it into the endzone.Jim Zorn: Uh, we don't have that in the playbook either.In today's game, the Redskin call a Hail Mary pass from the KC 35 yard line. And even that pass comes down 5 yards short of the endzone. Absolutely incredible.

 

[GoBirds]

Yet despite another solid performance, one image off the field stood out more than any other on it: star defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth sprinting to the tunnel before the final seconds had ticked off the clock of another disappointing loss.

The action spoke to the frustrations within a team that has failed to live up to preseason expectations and for a defense that has performed well while the offense has sputtered and failed to put up points.

After the game, team sources said Haynesworth spoke passionately during the postgame speech, calling for accountability from teammates and playing with more heart. Haynesworth's voice could be heard in the hallway outside the locker room before it was opened to the media.

Haynesworth was not in the locker room when it was opened to reporters.

Washington Post

Great.......could you guys wait at least one more week before any inspirational turnarounds please.

 

[Marvelous]

It is pretty clear that Zorn is not going to be fired during the season. But count on the Redskins to find a unique way to handle the situation. We can start to see how it will unfold:

After week 7: hire another consultant

week 9: relieve Zorn of game planning, give it to consultant #2

week 10: relieve Zorn of managing team practices and managing his coordinators

week 11: hire another consultant

week 12: have consultant #3 start working with the qbs

week 13: Zorn moves off the sidelines to the booth upstairs for a better view

week 14: Zorn no longer give team pep talks. Consultants now responsible for motivating the team

week 15: Zorn realizes he has a lot of free time. He starts playing racquetball with Snyder during the week.

week 16: Zorn accidently beats Snyder in racquetball. Now he knows his job is really in jeopardy.

 

[Sideshow Bob]

 

[ChrisCooleyFan]

MY man is pissed!!!!!

 

[Ghost Rider]

I am already imagining converstaions on the Redskin sideline next week:Lewis: The pass rush is really getting to us. Let's call a rollout pass.Jim Zorn: Uh, we don't have that in the playbook.Lewis: Well, let's just throw it into the endzone.Jim Zorn: Uh, we don't have that in the playbook either.

 

[ChrisCooleyFan]

MY man is pissed!!!!!

If Zorn played madden he would be a level 1 74 IQ and wouldnt be allowed to be online ranked games

 

[Sebowski]

Coaches have given up play call duties and been succesful before. It always happened in the offseason, not mid-season, but, just saying....

 

[Sebowski]

Yet despite another solid performance, one image off the field stood out more than any other on it: star defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth sprinting to the tunnel before the final seconds had ticked off the clock of another disappointing loss.

The action spoke to the frustrations within a team that has failed to live up to preseason expectations and for a defense that has performed well while the offense has sputtered and failed to put up points.

After the game, team sources said Haynesworth spoke passionately during the postgame speech, calling for accountability from teammates and playing with more heart. Haynesworth's voice could be heard in the hallway outside the locker room before it was opened to the media.

Haynesworth was not in the locker room when it was opened to reporters.

Washington Post

Great.......could you guys wait at least one more week before any inspirational turnarounds please.

At least we'll both be fired up. Losing to the Raiders should keep the Eagles real focused. Plus, it will be 50/50 Eagles fans at FedEx

 

[PinkydaPimp]

Jason Campbell interview:

Campbell discusses benching, future

Quarterback Jason Campbell declined to speak with reporters after Sunday's dreary 14-6 loss to the formerly winless Kansas City Chiefs at FedEx Field. In a phone interview Sunday night, Campbell commented on his benching after halftime, Coach Jim Zorn being stripped of play-calling duties and the plight of the Washington Redskins.

Q: What did Zorn say to you at halftime about his decision to go with backup Todd Collins in the second half?

A: "He told me he was going to put Todd in the game so he could just see if he could give us a spark. He said to me, 'I've got to try to find a way to give us a spark.' It was his decision.

"I'm just going to take it stride. Everyone always wants to point the finger at me, and that's why I always say you have to keep your head up, keep going, keep moving because you know what's going on. You know what's really happening. You can't let it get you down and you can't let it distract you.

"Of course, any competitor doesn't like being pulled from a game. You always know that you can come in and get the job done in the second half, you believe you can do that, and you'd like everyone else to believe you can. But you can't control what other people do or believe.

"It happened earlier this year against Tampa Bay, and I think I showed what I can do, showed how I keep fighting and doing everything I can help this team and lead this team, when I'm given that chance. But at the same time, it was his decision to make and he made the decision. So that's just what it was."

Q: Although you're completing 65.6 percent of your passes, you really struggled in the first half on a variety of throws, including a deep ball to wide receiver Santana Moss that fell incomplete. What happened?

A: "I saw Santana and I tried to make a throw down the field. I tried to hold the safety, but I left it maybe a yard or two inside more than I wanted. Other than that, on third down maybe, I had a couple of chances but I hadn't found my rhythm at that point.

"Sometimes it takes you a while to find your rhythm in games and I just didn't find it in the first half. No excuses. The ball to Santana was definitely one I would have liked to have back because it could have been a big play. I just didn't have my rhythm early on. But I also didn't have my rhythm in the game against Tampa Bay. I got hit early, I fumbled, I had a couple of picks.

"In this game, I got a pick because I tried to throw the ball to the end zone to give a chance because there's no time left. It would be crazy t hold the ball and keep running with it. I just stopped and threw it up to try to give Malcolm [Kelly] a shot at it. That interception was just something at the end of the half that was my only option. So I guess they just wanted to see what would be different with a different guy."

Q: How did you feel when the crowd cheered for Collins to start the second half?

A: "You definitely hear it. You know that people are basically looking at you like you're the only problem. That if it wasn't for you, things would be going a lot better than they are for us right now. At the same time, I want our team to be successful.

"So when the decision was made to put Todd in, I was behind him. The fans wanted him in there and you heard it, but I can't let that get me down. I can't let that get me discouraged. You know some people would like you to get down, but I always try to stay positive because that's the only way you can come back and get better. I just took it for what it is and tried not to get discouraged about it.

"Todd came over and talked to me. He told me that's something he went through before when he got pulled from a game. He said, 'Man, just keep your head up. Don't get down. I've been through it before, too.' That's really all you can do."

Q: Are you surprised Zorn has been stripped of play-calling duties?

A: "Right, now, I'm really not trying to figure out anything around here. ... I can't tell you where the issues start at and what to do about them. It's the most awkward position to be in as a team. We've all talked about it as teammates and we all can't put a finger on it. You can't to any one person. Right now, it's just a crazy situation, a tough situation, and I don't think anyone knows how to" fix it."

Q: Do you expect to be the starting quarterback when the Redskins begin preparations tomorrow to face the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night?

A: "I don't know. That's probably his [Zorn's] decision.

"Like I said, I think they wanted to see if things would be different or see if there was a spark. But whatever [his role] is this week, I'm just going to keep working hard for my teammates, stay positive and move forward."

Q: Do you believe you're still in the Redskins' long-term plans?

A: "I'm not even thinking that far ahead. At the moment, I'm not thinking that far ahead at all. I really can't do that right now. But I know this: I am definitely at a critical point of my career.

"Right now, we're just not being successful as we want to be and as I still believe we can be as far as a whole team. We have some great players on this team. We have some things that we can do. But right now, for whatever reason, things are not happening for us. I'm focused on the team, so I really don't want to look far ahead.

"I want us to get this turned around. That's really what I'm thinking about. But, yeah, I am a critical part of my career where you just want the opportunity to try to be successful."

i really feel for Campbell.

 

[Maroney=Sped]

Zorn will no longer call plays.

The Redskins' public relations team announced late Sunday night that Vinny Cerrato, the executive vice president of football operations, had met with Coach Jim Zorn after the game Sunday and told him he thought Zorn had too much on his plate. Cerrato said that someone else should call the plays and Zorn did not disagree, according to Zack Bolno, the Redskins' director of communications.

Cerrato and Zorn will meet Monday to decide who will call the plays.

The emasculation of Jim Zorn continues.Seriously, the job of the front office is to see these issues during the off season and address them then. Since they did not, it is clear that they thought Zorn uas just fine entering the season. The Sherman Lewis hire and now taking away play calling are all knee jerk reactions to their lack of foresight.

 

[ChrisCooleyFan]

So 1st we hire a guy, that has never called played or was a head coach or even a playcaller, and now a guy will call plays that has been out of the league since 04?

 

[fatness]

Interesting blurb from PFT:

Zorn, Cerrato's fates apparently are intertwinedPosted by Mike Florio on October 18, 2009 9:58 PM ETRedskins fans, there might be signs of hope in D.C., after all.We're hearing that there's a strong belief within the Redskins organization that the fates of coach Jim Zorn and V.P. of football operations Vinny Cerrato are tied together.So if/when Zorn goes, Cerrato could be dumped, too. (There's a chance Zorn would go after the Eagles game next Monday, and that Cerrato wouldn't be fired until after the season ends.)That might help explain why Zorn and Cerrato will decide tomorrow who'll call the plays for the rest of the year. And why Zorn didn't simply refuse to give up his play-calling function.The next question becomes who'll call the plays?If it's not Sherm Lewis, we're not sure who it will be. Mike Holmgren? Joe Gibbs? Dan Snyder?That said, Zorn should have refused to give up his play-calling duties and forced his termination. Instead, he has now allowed himself to be systematically neutered over the past two weeks, with the addition of Lewis and now the surrender of one of Zorn's core functions.

The front office desparation moves have been especially rah this year. So maybe (hopefully) Cerrato's job is on the line.

Cerrato seems desperate; I mentioned that in an earlier post or 2. I think that article is right, and that his job is on the line. I also think he's screwed. There's no way to make much out of the ingredients he has.

 

[Sidewinder16]

Jason Campbell interview:

i really feel for Campbell.

I feel for all the players, and for Zorn. At this point, they have to play with the hand that Dan and Vinny dealt them, and by all accounts they are still trying as hard as they can.From Terl's blog:

Chris Cooley: "Right now it's just ... we've just gotta keep working, gotta keep showing up. I know I'm going to; I count on my teammates to do the same."

Brian Orakpo: "We're 2-4, and that's horrible, and we just gotta keep fighting.... We need to be accountable. Like I said, they're the ones that coach. Call the plays, and we gotta go out there and execute 'em, regardless of who's getting the ball and who's not getting the ball. Coach Zorn takes so much heat, and for no reason. We just gotta be accountable ourselves, and I wish guys would do that."

Kedric Golston: "I think it's as simple as ... a lot of people say practice makes perfect. That's wrong: perfect practice make perfect. So we just gotta get better. I mean, it's as simple as that. We're not winning gams, so we've just gotta work harder on the smaller things so we can win games."

Will Montgomery: "The offense has to score points in order to win, and we're working on doing that. It's a process, and we're not panicking or anything, and we're just looking forward to next week. I don't know if it's this problem or it's that problem. I just think that we just need to get it done. I can't point a finger at one thing."

Devin Thomas: "It's hard to tell. We've tried so many things. We went to the music in practice ... I swear we practiced hard all week; we've got so much team camaraderie, it's like, we're fighting for each other, and ... you know? Whatever's called, we're out there trying to make it happen. You can't really point the finger at nobody right now."

Mike Williams: "We've just gotta find a way to get it done, and I guess that's the most frustrating thing. It's not playcalling. It's not, y'know ... we just gotta find a way to get it done, and that in itself is the bottom line. So whatever we've gotta do to do it, we gotta do it now. I know these guys in here are gonna work hard, and we're gonna find a way."

Casey Rabach: "We go to work this week and prepare to beat Philly. That's where we go from here. That's all we can do right now."

Rock Cartwright: "I have no clue. We practice hard everyday, day in and day out we give it all we got and we just come up short. You got to score points in this league to win football games and we aren't doing that. Anytime you don't score points it is tough. All we can do is go back to the drawing board and get ready to go to work tomorrow and get ready for Philly."

It's great that they want to make lemonade out of the lemons they have, but this mantra sounds delusional and just sad at this point. I know there's not much else to say, though.

 

[Sidewinder16]

JoeyT is delusional. He just had a listener call in and ask him to stop sugar-coating the mess this organization is, and then he proceeds to list all the no-win and 1-win teams and say "it's not as bad as it could be".

 

[dgreen]

Devin Thomas: "We've tried so many things. We went to the music in practice ... "

Good point, Devin. I really don't know how you aren't scoring given everything you've tried.

 

[dgreen]

a guy will call plays that has been out of the league since 04?

That's an awfully negative spin. You shouldn't be focused on how long he's been out of the game. Instead, focus on the fact that he's been in the game almost this whole month! How can this not work?Chris Russell on 106.7 this morning said that Sherman Smith was particular pissed when Sherm Lewis was hired. He said he'd explode if his job was to significantly change based on Lewis' hiring. It'll be interesting to see Smith's reaction to this if it's true (I don't think it's been officially announced yet). If he stays, he'll just be sticking around for the paycheck.

 

[fatness]

It's great that they want to make lemonade out of the lemons they have, but this mantra sounds delusional and just sad at this point. I know there's not much else to say, though.

Actually what I take from all those quotes is that the offensive players are neither turning on each other nor turning on Zorn. That's actually a good thing. Regardless of what a ####pile the offense is, players need to stick together.

 

[fatness]

From PFT:

And so a guy who made his name in Green Bay as an offensive coordinator who deferred the play-calling function to Mike Holmgren will now be charged with the task of saving the asses of Zorn and, as we're hearing it, Cerrato, too.Good luck with all that.

Where's Pepper Rogers when we need him?