Redskins unsettled by change

ASHBURN -- Jason Campbell knows there could be some moments of chaos with Sherm Lewis calling the plays.

"There'll probably be a couple of plays I have in my head," the Washington Redskins quarterback said, "just in case if some reason it doesn't get in on time."

The Redskins spent yesterday trying to get a feel for their new front office-mandated play-caller. Lewis, who still carries the title of offensive consultant and has been out of retirement for only two weeks, stood before the offense's morning meeting for the first time and went over the passing game.

For coach Jim Zorn, whose play-calling duties were stripped by team management following Sunday's loss to Kansas City, the exercise required major pride-swallowing.

"I need to have composure," Zorn said. "I need to understand what the reality of the situation is, and I think our players expect me to rise up. We expect them to play under adverse conditions. We expect them to risk it all. . . . I'm conscious of what's going on."

Zorn revealed a few details about the team's awkward new arrangement. The plan remains for Lewis to sit in the coaches' box calling plays, but it will now be offensive coordinator Sherman Smith -- instead of Zorn -- who relays the play to Campbell. Zorn will be listening on his own headset.

Lewis will read the plays off a sheet, although it's unclear whether he'll completely understand what he's saying. While Lewis has a basic knowledge of the scheme from his decades of experience in the West Coast offense with other teams, Zorn said Lewis "doesn't know the protections" and "doesn't know the blitz schemes."

Yet he'll be in charge on Monday night when the Redskins (2-4) host the Philadelphia Eagles (3-2).

While Lewis was a respected offensive assistant for several successful teams over his 22 years in the NFL, he received mixed reviews during the three seasons he called plays -- with the 1999 Green Bay Packers and the 2000-01 Minnesota Vikings.

Lewis retired after the 2004 season. The Redskins have kept him away from the media since his first full day on the job, when he revealed he had been passing his time by calling Bingo games at a senior center. He was escorted by public relations staff past waiting reporters after practice yesterday and declined a request to speak.

While the play caller is new, the starting quarterback stays the same. Campbell was benched for the first time in his career at halftime of the loss to the Chiefs, but Todd Collins failed to provide much spark in relief.

Now Campbell gets another shot. He attributed his lackluster performance against Kansas City -- 9 for 16 for 89 yards and an interception -- in part because he was "distracted" by the team's multiple changes along the offensive line.

"I felt like I had to make quicker decisions than usual," Campbell said. "And sometimes that gets you in trouble."