Smoot Lays the Smack Down (Redskins vs. Rams)

I think there's a reason they arent given the chance. If I was Zorn I'd put these players out there, run it wide open and show once and for all that they cant do it the way its supposed to be done. That way I could go to mgmt and say see, I dont have the guys that can get it done. But that said I think Zorn knows this is a marathon and you have to play with the cards you are dealt so he is trying his best to put them in a position to succeed based on their limitations.

What I see in the RZ is pretty bad but I think Zorn calls plays based on the players he has not the players he wishes he had.

He's had 2 offseasons now to bring in "his guys". I'm not buying that excuse at this point.

You should read Boswell's article in today's Wash Post. He basically says the O wasnt good at scoring under Gibbs and now with essentially the same guys they arent good at scoring under Zorn. Its the players, not the coaching. Think about it, the Moss & ARE are midgets so they get lost in the RZ. They only have 1 RB that's a threat so he's easily keyed on and stopped. JC throws a hard ball at close range which creates problems. Cooley as the only receiving threat is then double teamed and neutralized. The O can move up the field fine but just doesnt have the horses to be successful in the RZ.

But Boswell also said...

"Once again, just as in '08, Zorn's biggest problem is the inability of his offensive coordinator to design plays, then call them appropriately, to score inside the 20-yard line. But Zorn is essentially his own final word on all offensive matters. So why yell at his team until he finishes berating himself?"

No excuses!

Regardless of all this finger pointing the bottom line is, we have played thus far like a team that should finish 6-10.

Who would have thought that through 2 games, Hunter Smith would have the team's only rushing TD AND that would be equal to the total number of TD's the 1st team offense scored? All things considered, I'd say its miraculous that we are 1-1 and could conceivably have be 2-0. Unless there are some serious changes made to the lifestyle/culture/attitude of this team immediately, we are headed for 6-10, though.

He's had 2 offseasons now to bring in "his guys". I'm not buying that excuse at this point.

Zorn cant bring anybody in, thats Vinny & Danny's job. They bring in who/what they want not necessarily what's best for the team.

Zorn cant bring anybody in, thats Vinny & Danny's job. They bring in who/what they want not necessarily what's best for the team.

Zorn has input.

But Boswell also said...

"Once again, just as in '08, Zorn's biggest problem is the inability of his offensive coordinator to design plays, then call them appropriately, to score inside the 20-yard line. But Zorn is essentially his own final word on all offensive matters. So why yell at his team until he finishes berating himself?"

Like I said, Zorn is trying to run plays these guys can handle and right now its not working well because the things these guys can handle are basic schemes and plays which are easy to defend. IMO, Zorn is handcuffed and he trying to wiggle his way out of these cuffs and protect his players. Its not gonna be easy or pretty.

Zorn has input.

Having input and being able to bring someone in are very different things. Bottom line is if Vinny & Danny dont want it it aint gonna happen.

Like most of the people here, my major issue was with Zorn's game management and play calling, but I'm a bit surprised that no one has mentioned Jeremy Jarmon's boneheaded late hit on Bulger, which basically took points off the board. I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and chalk it up to a rookie mistake, but taking the ball away from the Rams inside their 20 yard line, and giving it back to them because of a stupid penalty was a momentum killer.Also, Jeremy Jarmon wasn't even om the field on that play. Orakpo and Golston hit Bulger and I think what they called was hand to helmet contact by Golston, but in any case it was a technical roughing call, not actually extensive or unnecessary.

Teams that put pressure on the QB are going to draw roughing calls in today's game. I think the NFL realizes that they are creating unavoidable penalties, and just doesn't care all that much.

Having input and being able to bring someone in are very different things. Bottom line is if Vinny & Danny dont want it it aint gonna happen.

How does that differ from most front office setups around the league?

Bottom line, this team has weapons. Zorn is going into a shell in the RZ. Perhaps a lack of confidence in the players, or perhaps a lack of confidence in his plays, who knows. All I know it's up to him to figure out how to start turning 3's into 7's otherwise it's his butt that's on the line.