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

[MikeApf]

Let's recap:

The Redskins have consistently had trouble getting plays called and run in the allotted time since Zorn's been here. They take frequent timeouts because playcalls are slow.

Zorn will not be calling plays. Instead, he'll be relaying plays called by Sherm Lewis.

Sherm Lewis doesn't yet know all the offensive terminology on the team.

This should really speed things up, shouldn't it?

Lewis: Green Z-Dog Powershift 9

Zorn: Sherm, we don't have a play like that.

Lewis: You know, the one where he pump fakes to the guy on the right, then hits the guy on the left.

Zorn: WTF?

Clock: 0:02, dude.

Campbell: Timeout

Referree: Jason, I told you last time you were out of timeouts.

Lewis: Dog 9 Z-Shift Tundra Pig

Zorn: BINGO!

Announcer: You're watching the NFL on Fox. Believe it or not.

I just read in the Post yesterday that this is the new, approved process:1. Lewis decides on play.

2. Lewis relays play to Offensive Coordinator (not Zorn)

3. Offensive Coordinator relays play to Campbell.

4. Campbell relays play to team.

Zorn will hear what's going on but will not be "doing" anything.

You are right it takes forever already and that would be ok if Campbell could be free to audible out. As it stands, look for us to exhaust our first three time outs 7 minutes into the first quarter. If I were Philly, I would pop so many defensive changes and looks at Campbell as the clock was winding down to force the issue.

Lewis may be a better play caller, but this plan is convoluted...

M

 

[Sidewinder16]

Anyone else getting the "Due to visiting team returns, a limited number of tickets, including Lower Level, are available" e-mails? I think I've already received one for each home game. I'm betting I'll see 5 more.

So much for having been the hottest ticket in town.

Czaban has predicted that things like that would start happening --- people turning their tickets in. His idea is that when the Redskins finally begin selling single tickets, to anyone, that fan goodwill will officially be exhausted with Snyder and his wrecking of the team. It's getting closer.

They've been doing this for years. This is nothing new.Sidewinder16, are you on the wait list? How did they get your email?

Yes, I'm on the wait list. I don't recall getting these kinds of e-mails for every home game, though. But, maybe I just ignored them and forgot about them.

Some games (like an 0-5 KC team) are more likely than others to have a few extra tickets. It's rare to get them for division games. I'm a season ticket holder and I got one for either STL or TB; can't remember which. But, oddly enough, I didn't get one yet for KC. Maybe they give wait list people a chance for a couple days then offer to current ticket holders if any are left over?

Just got another one. Not only for a division game, but a division game on MNF. I have a hard time believing Eagles fans didn't buy up the visiting team allotment of tickets.

 

[Sidewinder16]

I just read in the Post yesterday that this is the new, approved process:

1. Lewis decides on play.

2. Lewis relays play to Offensive Coordinator (not Zorn)

3. Offensive Coordinator relays play to Campbell.

4. Campbell relays play to team.

Zorn will hear what's going on but will not be "doing" anything.

You are right it takes forever already and that would be ok if Campbell could be free to audible out. As it stands, look for us to exhaust our first three time outs 7 minutes into the first quarter. If I were Philly, I would pop so many defensive changes and looks at Campbell as the clock was winding down to force the issue.

Lewis may be a better play caller, but this plan is convoluted...

M

From the RI post with the same info:

Not surprisingly, players have expressed skepticism about the process, especially considering Lewis, who came out of retirement about two weeks ago, is unfamiliar with the Redskins' personnel, running game, pass-protection schemes and blitz pick-up packages.

Other than that, Lewis is well-versed in the Redskins' offense.

"That's one thing we're going to work on - trying to get the plays in and out of the huddle faster," Campbell said. "There will probably be a couple plays I'll have in my head - just in case for some reason if it doesn't get in on time - [so] we can keep the tempo up and keep moving. There will be some things we'll have to adjust to a little bit, and getting plays in faster will have to be one of them because now it comes through one more person."

Love the sarcastic jab there in the middle. And the fact that Campbell is already planning on having some plays ready to call on his own if timing becomes an issue is just sad.Just when you think things couldn't look any bleaker they find a way to fall a little farther.

 

[dgreen]

Gibbs is not the answer. He was a big part in shaping the team we have now.

Brunell

You mean the QB of the team that has gone farthest this decade?

 

[dgreen]

I just read in the Post yesterday that this is the new, approved process:

1. Lewis decides on play.

2. Lewis relays play to Offensive Coordinator (not Zorn)

3. Offensive Coordinator relays play to Campbell.

4. Campbell relays play to team.

Zorn will hear what's going on but will not be "doing" anything.

You are right it takes forever already and that would be ok if Campbell could be free to audible out. As it stands, look for us to exhaust our first three time outs 7 minutes into the first quarter. If I were Philly, I would pop so many defensive changes and looks at Campbell as the clock was winding down to force the issue.

Lewis may be a better play caller, but this plan is convoluted...

M

From the RI post with the same info:

Not surprisingly, players have expressed skepticism about the process, especially considering Lewis, who came out of retirement about two weeks ago, is unfamiliar with the Redskins' personnel, running game, pass-protection schemes and blitz pick-up packages.

Other than that, Lewis is well-versed in the Redskins' offense.

"That's one thing we're going to work on - trying to get the plays in and out of the huddle faster," Campbell said. "There will probably be a couple plays I'll have in my head - just in case for some reason if it doesn't get in on time - [so] we can keep the tempo up and keep moving. There will be some things we'll have to adjust to a little bit, and getting plays in faster will have to be one of them because now it comes through one more person."

Love the sarcastic jab there in the middle. And the fact that Campbell is already planning on having some plays ready to call on his own if timing becomes an issue is just sad.Just when you think things couldn't look any bleaker they find a way to fall a little farther.

A big part of the delays is that they are changing personnel every play. It's amazing being at the games and seeing all the guys coming and going after EVERY play. I think Zorn first determines the "package" then calls in a play. I wonder who will now be determining the "package". Or, better yet, I hope they do away with constant changes.

 

[Maroney=Sped]

I'm glad he didn't resign. It's not like a coaching change at this time would help them, and Zorn's likeable if nothing else.

Business is business, but with this level of dysfunction and underhandedness at the ownership level the fact that Zorn's a nice, hardworking guy carries weight with me. Zorn deserves better than this, so I hope he gets every dime on his contract and then lands somewhere else on his feet.

 

[Sidewinder16]

A big part of the delays is that they are changing personnel every play. It's amazing being at the games and seeing all the guys coming and going after EVERY play. I think Zorn first determines the "package" then calls in a play. I wonder who will now be determining the "package". Or, better yet, I hope they do away with constant changes.

I would sincerely hope that Lewis has control over the personnel packages since he's calling the plays. I'd have to guess that since he's still probably "getting up to speed" with all the details that we'll see a reduced number of personnel packages. I'm very interested now to see who will be in the starting lineup.

 

[MikeApf]

Interesting little piece about Zorn becoming a martyr. It's true...before everyone was ready to run him out of town. Now he is the victim! I do wonder if Snyder is paining himself into a corner where he has to let him coach out the season...

M

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_...?urn=nfl,197504

Thu Oct 22, 2009 10:25 am EDT

Riggins: Redskins organization has been taken hostage by a child

By MJD

I apologize, Redskins fans. I'm really not trying to pile on your team here, but the shots at owner Dan Snyder just keep coming, and they're landing too squarely to ignore. This time, it's John Riggins's turn, and he's going for the jugular.

"This is almost a hostage situation. This franchise has been taken hostage by someone who has the mindset of a child. Because everything revolves around them, and it's going to be difficult until that mental adjustment is made; that adjustment in personality. But that's going to be a lot of sessions on the couch with somebody."

If you missed some of the earlier festivities from Kick Daniel Snyder Where It Hurts Week, check out these comments from John Kent Cooke, and these from Steve Largent. The last 48 hours have had to be pretty tough for Dan Snyder.

One odd little thing about the situation in Washington is that Jim Zorn's become almost sort of a martyr now. If Snyder had fired him two weeks ago, public sentiment would've been, "Good, that guy's a loser. Wait until the off-season when we get some big name coach in here!"

But by waiting, and then bringing in Sherm Lewis to take away his playcalling duties (or, as Riggo describes the process, "castrating Zorn, one teste at a time"), Snyder's turned Zorn into a sympathetic figure. Over the last week or so, it really feels like the hatred has shifted significantly from Zorn to Snyder.

Riggo did it in his radio spot, and Largent and the host of he show in Seattle did it yesterday: The feeling for Zorn right now is sympathy. The feeling for Snyder seems to be universal, intense contempt.

Gracias, The Huddle.

 

[Sidewinder16]

I'm glad he didn't resign. It's not like a coaching change at this time would help them, and Zorn's likeable if nothing else.

Business is business, but with this level of dysfunction and underhandedness at the ownership level the fact that Zorn's a nice, hardworking guy carries weight with me. Zorn deserves better than this, so I hope he gets every dime on his contract and then lands somewhere else on his feet.

Agreed. I still believe that, given the opportunity to make a team "his", he has the potential to be a very good head coach.

 

[dgreen]

From Barry Svrluga:

Beathard says Gibbs has right management skills

Former Washington Redskins general manager Bobby Beathard said Thursday that he believes Joe Gibbs, the Hall of Fame coach who had two stints in Washington, would make a fine team president if owner Daniel M. Snyder wanted to bring him back in such a capacity.

"I think that Joe has been successful in most everything he's done," Beathard said in an interview on ESPN 980's "Sports Fix." "When you look at what he's done at NASCAR, I've been over to visit Joe and gone through the organization and seen how it's structured, he's done a wonderful job. He has a talent for that."

Beathard, who originally hired Gibbs in 1981, said Gibbs would "not be one that would be a meddler or interfering. He's very good at letting people do what they're brought in to do."

Beathard served as Redskins general manager from 1978-89, and then ran the San Diego Chargers from 1990-2000. He said that Gibbs has the talent and pedigree to make a model like the one currently employed by the Miami Dolphins -- in which former NFL head coach Bill Parcells oversees a general manager and the coaching staff -- work in Washington.

"I think Joe's personality is one that would make it work," Beathard said. "Joe's not an 'I' guy. He's a hands-on guy. He's very good to work with. That is a model that can work if you get the right people in there. ... I would think that Joe would be a good guy to do something like that."

 

[dgreen]

I'm hearing that a Gibbs denial has been on the radio. Anyone hear it?

 

[dgreen]

From Keim:

Highlights from Jim Zorn's post-practice press conference today, including his reaction to Steve Largent's comments on a Seattle radio station. Just know that Zorn has a lot of friends in the NFL; the Redskins front office, and management, does not. So don't be surprised if more of these sorts of attacks continue. Have to say, this has been one of the craziest stories to cover on this beat -- and there have been some daffy ones in the past 15 years.

Here's how bad it is now: nobody asked Zorn about the quarterback situation today.

 

[Sebowski]

Interesting little piece about Zorn becoming a martyr. It's true...before everyone was ready to run him out of town. Now he is the victim! I do wonder if Snyder is paining himself into a corner where he has to let him coach out the season...

M

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_...?urn=nfl,197504

Thu Oct 22, 2009 10:25 am EDT

Riggins: Redskins organization has been taken hostage by a child

By MJD

I apologize, Redskins fans. I'm really not trying to pile on your team here, but the shots at owner Dan Snyder just keep coming, and they're landing too squarely to ignore. This time, it's John Riggins's turn, and he's going for the jugular.

"This is almost a hostage situation. This franchise has been taken hostage by someone who has the mindset of a child. Because everything revolves around them, and it's going to be difficult until that mental adjustment is made; that adjustment in personality. But that's going to be a lot of sessions on the couch with somebody."

If you missed some of the earlier festivities from Kick Daniel Snyder Where It Hurts Week, check out these comments from John Kent Cooke, and these from Steve Largent. The last 48 hours have had to be pretty tough for Dan Snyder.

One odd little thing about the situation in Washington is that Jim Zorn's become almost sort of a martyr now. If Snyder had fired him two weeks ago, public sentiment would've been, "Good, that guy's a loser. Wait until the off-season when we get some big name coach in here!"

But by waiting, and then bringing in Sherm Lewis to take away his playcalling duties (or, as Riggo describes the process, "castrating Zorn, one teste at a time"), Snyder's turned Zorn into a sympathetic figure. Over the last week or so, it really feels like the hatred has shifted significantly from Zorn to Snyder.

Riggo did it in his radio spot, and Largent and the host of he show in Seattle did it yesterday: The feeling for Zorn right now is sympathy. The feeling for Snyder seems to be universal, intense contempt.

Gracias, The Huddle.

I don't care what they think. Truth is Zorn did have too much on his plate. That was his fault for hiring his buddy to be his OC. By taking the play-calling away he may actually be a better coach. We'll have to see. I t was a good move, imo.

 

[buster c]

Gibbs instead of ?

that might cause Hope

 

[fatness]

The Redskins don't need Gibbs again. He's never been that good a judge of personnel, and he's always been wow'ed by Snyder.

"Choosing personnel" would, in the job description being discussed, include choosing a GM and probably the head coach. Gibbs has not been great at player personnel choices and has no experience at GM or HC choices. The only input he's given on HC's is, apparently, to sign off on Zorn as an OK choice. That doesn't sound at all like what the team needs in the guy choosing important personnel. I really like Joe Gibbs and respect him. It's no knock at him at all to say he's not good at some things.

 

[Maroney=Sped]

The Redskins don't need Gibbs again. He's never been that good a judge of personnel, and he's always been wow'ed by Snyder.

"Choosing personnel" would, in the job description being discussed, include choosing a GM and probably the head coach. Gibbs has not been great at player personnel choices and has no experience at GM or HC choices. The only input he's given on HC's is, apparently, to sign off on Zorn as an OK choice. That doesn't sound at all like what the team needs in the guy choosing important personnel. I really like Joe Gibbs and respect him. It's no knock at him at all to say he's not good at some things.

If Gibbs was simply there in an administrative capacity to take over day to day operations from Synder and to hire and oversee a GM and a head coach, then I'd be all for it. Thing is, I don't see Snyder giving up playing with his toy, and I don't see Gibbs staying long even if this scenario came about, and I don't want Gibbs as a GM, so . . .

 

[Bizkiteer]

LOL @ all the Gibbs talk...uhhh, anyone hear of going to the well one too many times? What a joke! I hope Zorn can outlast it all and keep his head up for him and his family, but there are advantages to having an interim coach in place...allows the search to begin. No quality coach will take over mid-season, but an agreement can be made in principle to start at the end of the season. By naming an interim coach, it allows one of the vet coaches to interview without worry of stepping on another coaches toes, let's face it...coaching is a fraternity of sorts. I just hope that Vinny finally is ousted from his spot and we can get a real GM. I don't mind Boy Blunder staying on and getting paid to get someone Gatorade or to play raquetball with other guys, hey maybe he can even spend the night and play Madden! Who cares, as long as is not making any football related decisions for the Washington Redskins.

 

[TankRizzo]

It's amazing how monumentally horrible Snyder is at public relations.

The fire is burning pretty hard right now and it's only going to get worse. It's like people are coming out of the woodwork. Largent, John Kent Cooke, Post articles, the outright nastiness of the fanbase right now. Then the shock by Kornheiser by the "sell the team" chant...I really don't get. All of this is so refreshingly amazing. If Snyder doesn't "get it" in the very near future, this train wreck is going to be extremely fun to watch.

I mean, as a life long fan of the team I just want them to right the ship and do well, but as I think we all came to the realization a few weeks ago, we're just all numb to the situation. There isn't anything that they can say or do, shy of moving the team to LA, that would be a shock to any of us at this point

 

[fatness]

LOL @ all the Gibbs talk...uhhh, anyone hear of going to the well one too many times?

I just hope Gibbs doesn't eventually opt for cryonics like Ted Williams did. After every loss Snyder would be putting on his parka, headed into the freezer for advice.

 

[fatness]

The fire is burning pretty hard right now and it's only going to get worse. It's like people are coming out of the woodwork. Largent, John Kent Cooke, Post articles, the outright nastiness of the fanbase right now. Then the shock by Kornheiser by the "sell the team" chant...I really don't get. All of this is so refreshingly amazing. If Snyder doesn't "get it" in the very near future, this train wreck is going to be extremely fun to watch.

A couple other people have commented on this also. 2 weeks ago Zorn was the villain and we wanted him run out of town. Now suddenly he's a bumbling hero. Amazingly bad PR job by Snyder and Cerrato.And it's nice that they're not so insulated from fan discontent now, or from national criticism.

 

[Sebowski]

The fire is burning pretty hard right now and it's only going to get worse. It's like people are coming out of the woodwork. Largent, John Kent Cooke, Post articles, the outright nastiness of the fanbase right now. Then the shock by Kornheiser by the "sell the team" chant...I really don't get. All of this is so refreshingly amazing. If Snyder doesn't "get it" in the very near future, this train wreck is going to be extremely fun to watch.

A couple other people have commented on this also. 2 weeks ago Zorn was the villain and we wanted him run out of town. Now suddenly he's a bumbling hero. Amazingly bad PR job by Snyder and Cerrato.And it's nice that they're not so insulated from fan discontent now, or from national criticism.

I don't care how good they are at PR. Let all the Crhis Carters, Sally Jenkins, and Warren Sapps get their shots in while it is cheap. They were right to strip Zorn of play calling. He can't handle it and neither can Sherman Smith. It was the only way to salvage the season. What it looks like shouldn't be important. In fact, there would be a lot of criticism (and rightfully so) if Snyder didn;t do it because it wouldn't look good. Snyder has pointed himself into a can't win corner. Only thing to do is walk through the paint to the shoe store.

 

[Maroney=Sped]

The fire is burning pretty hard right now and it's only going to get worse. It's like people are coming out of the woodwork. Largent, John Kent Cooke, Post articles, the outright nastiness of the fanbase right now. Then the shock by Kornheiser by the "sell the team" chant...I really don't get. All of this is so refreshingly amazing. If Snyder doesn't "get it" in the very near future, this train wreck is going to be extremely fun to watch.

A couple other people have commented on this also. 2 weeks ago Zorn was the villain and we wanted him run out of town. Now suddenly he's a bumbling hero. Amazingly bad PR job by Snyder and Cerrato.And it's nice that they're not so insulated from fan discontent now, or from national criticism.

I don't care how good they are at PR. Let all the Crhis Carters, Sally Jenkins, and Warren Sapps get their shots in while it is cheap. They were right to strip Zorn of play calling. He can't handle it and neither can Sherman Smith. It was the only way to salvage the season. What it looks like shouldn't be important. In fact, there would be a lot of criticism (and rightfully so) if Snyder didn;t do it because it wouldn't look good. Snyder has pointed himself into a can't win corner. Only thing to do is walk through the paint to the shoe store.

This is where you're wrong. There is no way to "salvage" this season. You hired a man to do a job. Let him do his job and succeed or fail as he will. Ironically, by undercutting Zorn they've actually managed to confuse the issue as to whether the offense's performance is his fault.

This mid-season change, particularly to Sherman Smith of all people, has nothing to do with saving a season which is already lost, and everything to do with undercutting Zorn and trying to get him to resign.

It's pathetic and I hope Redskins fans, whatever they think of Zorn, stop defending Snyder here.

 

[Sidewinder16]

The fire is burning pretty hard right now and it's only going to get worse. It's like people are coming out of the woodwork. Largent, John Kent Cooke, Post articles, the outright nastiness of the fanbase right now. Then the shock by Kornheiser by the "sell the team" chant...I really don't get. All of this is so refreshingly amazing. If Snyder doesn't "get it" in the very near future, this train wreck is going to be extremely fun to watch.

A couple other people have commented on this also. 2 weeks ago Zorn was the villain and we wanted him run out of town. Now suddenly he's a bumbling hero. Amazingly bad PR job by Snyder and Cerrato.And it's nice that they're not so insulated from fan discontent now, or from national criticism.

In previous years, complaints about management and ownership had just been the occasional fan around the water cooler on Monday morning. It's an uproar now, and nationally, Snyder and Cerrato are getting ripped by anyone with a camera or microphone. The morning show on the local pop music radio station in Roanoke, VA is even taking shots at the organization every morning.

 

[nittanylion]

his is where you're wrong. There is no way to "salvage" this season.

You hired a man to do a job. Let him do his job and succeed or fail as he will. Ironically, by undercutting Zorn they've actually managed to confuse the issue as to whether the offense's performance is his fault.

This mid-season change, particularly to Sherman Smith of all people, has nothing to do with saving a season which is already lost, and everything to do with undercutting Zorn and trying to get him to resign.

It's pathetic and I hope Redskins fans, whatever they think of Zorn, stop defending Snyder here.

 

[Sidewinder16]

Not that this is any great scoop, and take it with the large grain of salt it deserves, but it helps confirm what many were already thinking. I was chatting with a friend from out of town last night who grew up in Alabama, is a huge Auburn fan, and has friends who are friends with Jason Campbell (I told you, large grain of salt). Any of them who have talked to Campbell recently are telling my friend that Campbell has told them he's ready to get out of D.C. Basically, it sounded like his main motivation to achieving any success this season is to get out of that organization as quick as possible.

 

[Sidewinder16]

Apparently Vinny gave Zorn the vote of confidence this morning by stating on his radio show that Zorn would be head coach for the rest of this year.

"Let me start by making a few things very perfectly clear: Jim Zorn is the head coach of the Washington Redskins, and will be for the rest of this season, and hopefully into the future," Cerrato said on ESPN 980's Inside the Red Zone.

 

[Sidewinder16]

Matt Terl talks to Sherm Smith about the intricacies of playcalling.

Doesn't sound too promising.

 

[Mookie Blaylock]

Nothing against Lewis, but I hope this thing goes down in flames (yes, moreso than it already has). I want nothing to do with an NFL where Danny Snyder is making personel decisions that are actually paying off.

 

[DCThunder]

Suppose the first two offensive series go three and out with at least one delay of game penalty and perhaps a time out to avoid one. The Eagles score 10 points and the Skins are down 10-0 early in the second quarter. The fans are booing. Then suppose Zorn says to Sherm Lewis, "F'it Sherm, I'm calling the plays" and takes the headset and proceeds to call plays and the 'Skins start to move the ball and go into the half down 13-10.

What would Danny or Vinnie do? Fire him at half time on national TV for "violating a direct owner directive"? That would be a trainwreck of such epic proportions that it's impossible to come up with an appropriate analogy.

 

[fatness]

I don't care how good they are at PR. Let all the Crhis Carters, Sally Jenkins, and Warren Sapps get their shots in while it is cheap. They were right to strip Zorn of play calling. He can't handle it and neither can Sherman Smith. It was the only way to salvage the season. What it looks like shouldn't be important. In fact, there would be a lot of criticism (and rightfully so) if Snyder didn;t do it because it wouldn't look good. Snyder has pointed himself into a can't win corner. Only thing to do is walk through the paint to the shoe store.

There was a good bit of agreement, amongst all of us and among others around the country who follow football, that Zorn was not doing a good job of playcalling. The way any effective organization handles something like this is to talk privately to the employee, explain why you want part of their job delegated to someone else, that it's a change you're requiring, and work out with the employee how to do it in a way that embarrasses them the least and visibly supports them when they announce the change. You give them an opportunity to make it appear their idea, one they want to try for the benefit of the company.If you just make the change over their head, visibly, either you have no clue how to get the best out of people or you want the employee to be visibly undermined and to fail.

So which is it? Snyder wants to embarrass him and for him to fail? Or Snyder has no clue how to get the best out of people?

 

[dgreen]

I don't care how good they are at PR. Let all the Crhis Carters, Sally Jenkins, and Warren Sapps get their shots in while it is cheap. They were right to strip Zorn of play calling. He can't handle it and neither can Sherman Smith. It was the only way to salvage the season. What it looks like shouldn't be important. In fact, there would be a lot of criticism (and rightfully so) if Snyder didn;t do it because it wouldn't look good. Snyder has pointed himself into a can't win corner. Only thing to do is walk through the paint to the shoe store.

There was a good bit of agreement, amongst all of us and among others around the country who follow football, that Zorn was not doing a good job of playcalling. The way any effective organization handles something like this is to talk privately to the employee, explain why you want part of their job delegated to someone else, that it's a change you're requiring, and work out with the employee how to do it in a way that embarrasses them the least and visibly supports them when they announce the change. You give them an opportunity to make it appear their idea, one they want to try for the benefit of the company.If you just make the change over their head, visibly, either you have no clue how to get the best out of people or you want the employee to be visibly undermined and to fail.

So which is it? Snyder wants to embarrass him and for him to fail? Or Snyder has no clue how to get the best out of people?

This is how Cerrato said it went down:

"Let me just talk about how I made the decision to take the take the responsibilities off of Jim's plate," he said. "So what happened was, was the game ends. So I'm in the locker room and the owners come up to me and they ask me,' How do we score more points?' And we're coming off against the 32nd-ranked defense, we score two field goals and have seven first downs. So I tell them, I recommended to them that Jim's plate is too full. He's the head coach, he's the offensive coordinator, he's the quarterback coach, let's take something off the plate to help him. So they said 'Ok, go talk to him.'

"So then I go into Jim's office at the stadium there. He's not there yet, he's coming from his press conference. And I sit down with him and he comes in, we sit down, we close the door. And contrary to what you read everywhere, it was just Jim and I. There's no cameras, microphones, anything else in there. It's just like you and I right here. There's Jim there, there's me here. Two people. And I said to him, I said Jim, I says 'We're struggling scoring points. It's been over 14 weeks now that we've struggled on offense, and I think that you have too much on your plate, that a new voice may be good for the offense, to get us going, give us a spark, get us something going.'

"Because the defense is playing outstanding, and let's get something going, because it's been over a continuous long time. So he says, 'All right, let me think about it.' Because number one, he's frustrated from the game, and then I am asking him to give up the playcalling also. So he says, 'Let me think about it, and I'll talk to you later.'

"So he calls me back later on and I was on the phone, so he left me a message, and I called him right back, and he says 'I'm in. Let's talk about who calls plays in the morning. And let's move on. But I'm in.' So then we go the next morning, we decided it would be Sherm Lewis and everything, and that's kind of where we're at now. So I think that kind of clears up that stuff."

 

[dgreen]

Devin Thomas is now the "permanent" starter over Kelly. Kelly only played 5 snaps against KC.

 

[B-Deep]

Any chance that they still fire zorn if there's a bad loss to the eagles, even after announcing he was safe for the season?

 

[dgreen]

Any chance that they still fire zorn if there's a bad loss to the eagles, even after announcing he was safe for the season?

It seems that an endorsement will often precede a firing. But, I think (hope) they realize that they accomplish nothing by making a move now. The season is lost. Nobody on staff is going to become the permanent HC of the future. Zorn doesn't appear to have lost the team, so I don't think it's bad for morale to have him around. In fact, it's probably good for morale.

 

[dgreen]

Not that this is any great scoop, and take it with the large grain of salt it deserves, but it helps confirm what many were already thinking. I was chatting with a friend from out of town last night who grew up in Alabama, is a huge Auburn fan, and has friends who are friends with Jason Campbell (I told you, large grain of salt). Any of them who have talked to Campbell recently are telling my friend that Campbell has told them he's ready to get out of D.C. Basically, it sounded like his main motivation to achieving any success this season is to get out of that organization as quick as possible.

Obviously this won't be a huge loss, but it really sucks that we seem to lose players this way. How often do players leave this organization under Snyder without being happy to leave?

 

[fatness]

Stay calm. All is well.

Vinnie

"You know, the thing about it is, what's funny about that is, actually this summer, Jim and his wife were in Aspen with Dan [snyder] and his wife, vacationing together," Cerrato said. "It's a beautiful house, and they're biking every day and going to dinner and all that. But I guess that's a miserable life right there now. I'd like to have that miserable life, you know, biking in beautiful Aspen, having beautiful dinners and everything. Actually, they were out there also and [rookie defensive end] Jeremy Jarmon, that's when he flew out and met Dan and Jim out there. So for a guy to say that we're making life difficult and relationships are bad and all those things, I think that is kind of out there a little bit."

 

[dgreen]

Stay calm. All is well.

Vinnie

"You know, the thing about it is, what's funny about that is, actually this summer, Jim and his wife were in Aspen with Dan [snyder] and his wife, vacationing together," Cerrato said. "It's a beautiful house, and they're biking every day and going to dinner and all that. But I guess that's a miserable life right there now. I'd like to have that miserable life, you know, biking in beautiful Aspen, having beautiful dinners and everything. Actually, they were out there also and [rookie defensive end] Jeremy Jarmon, that's when he flew out and met Dan and Jim out there. So for a guy to say that we're making life difficult and relationships are bad and all those things, I think that is kind of out there a little bit."

Vinny: "Jim, you're going to Aspen with Dan."Jim: "I have a family funeral to attend."

Vinny: "Jim, your contract says you have to vacation with the owner or you can be fired with cause."

Jim: "Sigh. I'll pack my biking gear."

Vinny: "Oh, one more thing. He likes it when you sing him to sleep...and blow lightly in his ear."

 

[Brunell4MVP]

Stay calm. All is well.

Vinnie

"You know, the thing about it is, what's funny about that is, actually this summer, Jim and his wife were in Aspen with Dan [snyder] and his wife, vacationing together," Cerrato said. "It's a beautiful house, and they're biking every day and going to dinner and all that. But I guess that's a miserable life right there now. I'd like to have that miserable life, you know, biking in beautiful Aspen, having beautiful dinners and everything. Actually, they were out there also and [rookie defensive end] Jeremy Jarmon, that's when he flew out and met Dan and Jim out there. So for a guy to say that we're making life difficult and relationships are bad and all those things, I think that is kind of out there a little bit."

Vinny: "Jim, you're going to Aspen with Dan."Jim: "I have a family funeral to attend."

Vinny: "Jim, your contract says you have to vacation with the owner or you can be fired with cause."

Jim: "Sigh. I'll pack my biking gear."

Vinny: "Oh, one more thing. He likes it when you sing him to sleep...and blow lightly in his ear."

Seriously, has there ever been an owner that puts so many yes men around him. Everyone just puts up with him to collect the big paycheck. Shut up, get paid, move on to the next gig. I bet Deanna Hall is hoping to get cut so another team can guarantee him $20m in addition to the to the $50m+ the Raiders/Falcons/Redskins have given him the last 3 years.

 

[buster c]

This is how Cerrato said it went down:

"Let me just talk about how I made the decision to take the take the responsibilities off of Jim's plate," he said. "So what happened was, was the game ends. So I'm in the locker room and the owners come up to me and they ask me,' How do we score more points?' And we're coming off against the 32nd-ranked defense, we score two field goals and have seven first downs. So I tell them, I recommended to them that Jim's plate is too full. He's the head coach, he's the offensive coordinator, he's the quarterback coach, let's take something off the plate to help him. So they said 'Ok, go talk to him.'

"So then I go into Jim's office at the stadium there. He's not there yet, he's coming from his press conference. And I sit down with him and he comes in, we sit down, we close the door. And contrary to what you read everywhere, it was just Jim and I. and I start to jump up and down like the clown that I am, waving his contract over my head like a terrible towell, telling him 'ya gotta do what Napoleon says!!!'

 

[DCThunder]

Stay calm. All is well.

Vinnie

"You know, the thing about it is, what's funny about that is, actually this summer, Jim and his wife were in Aspen with Dan [snyder] and his wife, vacationing together," Cerrato said. "It's a beautiful house, and they're biking every day and going to dinner and all that. But I guess that's a miserable life right there now. I'd like to have that miserable life, you know, biking in beautiful Aspen, having beautiful dinners and everything. Actually, they were out there also and [rookie defensive end] Jeremy Jarmon, that's when he flew out and met Dan and Jim out there. So for a guy to say that we're making life difficult and relationships are bad and all those things, I think that is kind of out there a little bit."

Does Vinnie thing that ANYONE believes this crapola? Jeez, he should get a job at the White House spinning that stuff (oops, sorry I violated the Prime Directive again). More likely he follows the George Costanza theory: "It's not a lie if you belive it".

 

[TankRizzo]

it was hilarious hearing Vinny talk about how civil and amicable the talk with Zorn was.

Not sure if I heard it correctly or not, but on the Mike Wise show today there were talking about Vinny and the Largent comments and it kind of sounded like Vinny brought up the whole superbowl ring defense and was bragging about HIS hardware vs. Largent's lack of. I hope I misheard that and Vinny isn't THAT delusional. That's like a trust fund kid bragging about his fleet of luxury cars he did nothing to earn.

One other thing, they were also talking about how Vinny got his radio gig. They said they got a call from Ashburn and were told that Vinny was going to have a show and they needed a co-host for a 2 hour, 5 day a week show. Wonder why he's down to just doing Fridays? LOL

 

[TankRizzo]

OK, Vinny's superbowl ring comment was in regards to Sherm Lewis's rings.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QsaEKvHWUI

 

[Sidewinder16]

OK, Vinny's superbowl ring comment was in regards to Sherm Lewis's rings.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QsaEKvHWUI

He's made similar cracks in regards to his ring recently, but either way he only comes off sounding like a snot-nosed brat who feels bigger than he really is because he can stand behind daddy's wallet.He needs to just shut up and figure out how to run an NFL franchise, because he's doing a miserable job as of yet. Plus, if he starts "playing that game" he will lose. Someone wrote it best recently (Jason Reid?), that Zorn has far more friends in high places, in and out of football, than Snyder and Cerrato do. Zorn will win a verbal pissing contest without ever having to say a word.

 

[TankRizzo]

OK, Vinny's superbowl ring comment was in regards to Sherm Lewis's rings.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QsaEKvHWUI

He's made similar cracks in regards to his ring recently, but either way he only comes off sounding like a snot-nosed brat who feels bigger than he really is because he can stand behind daddy's wallet.He needs to just shut up and figure out how to run an NFL franchise, because he's doing a miserable job as of yet. Plus, if he starts "playing that game" he will lose. Someone wrote it best recently (Jason Reid?), that Zorn has far more friends in high places, in and out of football, than Snyder and Cerrato do. Zorn will win a verbal pissing contest without ever having to say a word.

When Zorn is gone, I just hope/pray he's an eruption of info on how poorly this organization is run. Especially if the cockroach Ceratto manages to stick around.

 

[dgreen]

When Zorn is gone, I just hope/pray he's an eruption of info on how poorly this organization is run. Especially if the cockroach Ceratto manages to stick around.

You know, we were talking about this at work the other day. Nobody leaves and bad mouths Snyderatto too much. Sure, some players have made a few comments here and there, but people are pretty quiet for the most part. Not much from Norv, Schotty, Spurrier (not that he has grounds to point fingers), and of course nothing from Gibbs. But, even assistant coaches aren't really saying much. Lavar recently said on his radio show that someone's going to write a book someday...but it won't be him. Why not? Why don't Snyder's ex-employees really come out and blast him after they leave? Does Snyder contractually give these guys hush money?

 

[TankRizzo]

You know, we were talking about this at work the other day. Nobody leaves and bad mouths Snyderatto too much. Sure, some players have made a few comments here and there, but people are pretty quiet for the most part. Not much from Norv, Schotty, Spurrier (not that he has grounds to point fingers), and of course nothing from Gibbs. But, even assistant coaches aren't really saying much. Lavar recently said on his radio show that someone's going to write a book someday...but it won't be him. Why not? Why don't Snyder's ex-employees really come out and blast him after they leave? Does Snyder contractually give these guys hush money?

Well, in general it's bad etiquette and if you want another job it's probably not best to bad mouth your former employer. The only reason I think he may buck the trend is that things are reaching critical mass here and he's ABSOLUTELY going to be asked about it...and since he's being made into a martyr at this point I don't think it necessarliy makes him look bad if he lays it out (in a civilized fashion) about how F'd we really are. As far as the hush money goes, the way things are going I can say with near certainty that he's not paying anyone hush money, but I wouldn't doubt it if that snake somehow worked it into a contract to where he could seek money back or gain any money made off of badmouthing him.

 

[burgundy and gold]

As a skins fan I'm so disgusted at all the whining that is posted here by fellow skins fans. You guys come across as little girls whining all the time. I'm looking forward to the day when this team turns things around and snyder acheives success with the skins and I hope vinny is there when it happens. Best believe I'll be here posting and rubbing you guys noses in it if it hapens. You guys and your talk radio cohorts never get tired of useless bashing. All you guys do is air dirty laundry over and over along with your talk radio cohorts. I almost get the impression that you actually think snyder or cerratto give a #### about your insults and whatnot. Regardless of what everyone seems to think, football is not rocket science. They'll get it right at some point IMO.

 

[Maroney=Sped]

As a skins fan I'm so disgusted at all the whining that is posted here by fellow skins fans. You guys come across as little girls whining all the time. I'm looking forward to the day when this team turns things around and snyder acheives success with the skins and I hope vinny is there when it happens. Best believe I'll be here posting and rubbing you guys noses in it if it hapens. You guys and your talk radio cohorts never get tired of useless bashing. All you guys do is air dirty laundry over and over along with your talk radio cohorts. I almost get the impression that you actually think snyder or cerratto give a #### about your insults and whatnot. Regardless of what everyone seems to think, football is not rocket science. They'll get it right at some point IMO.

 

[Sidewinder16]

Samuels out for the year and most likely retiring.

 

[Sidewinder16]

And it's nice that they're not so insulated from fan discontent now, or from national criticism.

Herm Edwards joining the chorus line now.