Zorn Makes Great Progress with New Offense Geared To Campbells Talents

[Zorn on the 4th of July]

Don't forget the (huge) improvements we are likely to see simply because Zorn is returning as the head coach. The Skins' 2nd-half (semi-) collapse last season was partially due to frustration with the new head coach. Remember how many shots we saw of Portis jawing on the sidelines with Zorn? Portis was obviously (and usually rightfully) frustrated. Neither the players or the coach had been through an entire season yet, didn't know how to deal with each other, and I bet many of the players longed for the Gibbs days.

I am a Florida grad and I saw the same phenomenon with Urban Meyer during his first season in 2005. A few players left the team prior to the season, and a few more quit playing hard part-way through the season. The result was a pedestrian 9-3 record (and a bowl loss to a pitiful Michigan team).

2006 rolled around and players realized there was no going back to the old days of the "player's coach" (Ron Zook). The Gators buckled down, focused, and learned to work together and communicate (players and coaching staff). The Gators had lost a heartbreaking game in '05 to LSU that had Urban Meyer in tears in the post game as he realized his spread system was not suited to Chris Leak, a phenomenal pocket passer. 2006 saw an offense more tailored to Leak's style. Yes, Tim Tebow began to see playing time, but review the season and you will see that it was Leak's season. The result? 13-1. National Champions.

Look at the Giants. Look at the Eagles. Look at the Cowboys. Do any of these teams honestly frighten you? Look at our roster: who we have returning and who we've acquired. We no longer have a rookie coach. I will be surprised if we don't win the division outright. Shocked, even. I don't care about winning the NFC, I don't care about the Super Bowl. It's a lot of luck at that point. But if we don't win the East, I will be surprised.