Zorn’s conventional wisdom

a closer look The Washington Redskins will face one of pro football's more unpredictable teams Sunday. The Baltimore Ravens and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron draw up any number of plays that involve unorthodox formations or receivers throwing the ball.

The Redskins, meanwhile, remain mostly conservative with their play-calling, which doesn't bother first-year coach Jim Zorn.

"All trick plays aren't going to work," he said. "I'd like to just see the sound plays that we have work."

That hasn't been the case for the Redskins, who have scored just four touchdowns in their past four games. Instead of resorting to gimmick plays, though, Zorn will try to simplify the playbook this week rather than expand it.

He's getting back to basics with quarterback Jason Campbell as they prepare for the must-win game against the Ravens. The Redskins would fall two games behind the wild card leaders with a loss.

Zorn was asked on Monday if he's considered running more trick plays like the Ravens or the Miami Dolphins. In Miami's Wildcat formation, the ball is snapped to a running back and the quarterback lines up as a wide receiver.

He said the staff considered those plays on occasion but would run them only when he knew the defense would be vulnerable, citing an option pass he ran Sunday against the Giants.

"If Antwaan Randle El doesn't go to heroics to make the play, we get stuffed," he said.

Randle El completed the pass to Chris Cooley for a gain. Another play was a reverse that resulted in a rushing touchdown for wide receiver Devin Thomas.

Teams running unusual formations often are trying to hide personnel weaknesses. The Redskins have running back Clinton Portis, who can make a conventional run go for a big gain. Zorn also believes Campbell and the receivers exhibit NFL quality.

"We're building a foundation, and I think within that foundation there's some solid principles we're trying to see adhered to," the coach said.

Statistics show that when the Redskins get Portis the ball regularly, they are more successful. But in recent weeks, the ground game has been complicated by injuries to the running back, who took a hard hit in his neck during Sunday's game before returning to action. He hasn't practiced in two weeks but continues to show up on game day ready to play.

For the players, execution, instead of unpredictable play-calling, will lift the team in its playoff quest.

"I think we haven't done what we needed to do from week to week," Randle El said. "I look at it more so like that, rather than being predictable."