Zorn, Skins differ on team’s problems
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| BUCCANEERS AT REDSKINS |
| Sunday:1 p.m., Fox |
Published: September 29, 2009
ASHBURN -- On the day after the Washington Redskins became the team that broke the Detroit Lions' losing streak, veterans spent about 45 minutes in the locker room expressing big-picture concerns -- attitude, approach, overconfidence, unity, identity -- stuff that goes beyond executing the X's and O's in a game plan.
Minutes later, coach Jim Zorn stood behind his lectern for his weekly news conference. He downplayed his players' comments, put a premium on the need to fine-tune the X's and O's and declared: "In the big picture, I think things are progressing."
Coach in denial? Or just a coach on the hot seat determined to stay the course, even as questions about his job security continue to mount.
For the record, the big picture, at least as of this week, shows the Redskins settling among the dregs of the NFL, losing to the Lions after winning without a touchdown over the St. Louis Rams. If nothing else, according to linebacker London Fletcher, this should end any thoughts among his teammates about the Redskins being "one of the elite teams" in the NFL.
"Maybe guys tend to think that, and that you can just show up," Fletcher said. "That's not the case. We're struggling to win ballgames. We're going to be in tough ballgames, week-in and week-out.
"We're not a great football team -- never have been since I've been here -- and it hasn't been in a long time, since, what, the '80s?"
Or, as cornerback DeAngelo Hall, a former Virginia Tech star, put it: "We've got a lot of people in here that think they're better than they are. You can look at it and tell."
While the coach plays a major role in setting such the tone, there's something to be said about the culture established in 10 years of Dan Snyder's ownership. The past three coaches he has hired -- including Zorn -- have gone 9-10 in their first 19 games.
When the locker room doors were shut and it came Zorn's turn to speak, it sounded almost as if he were coaching some other team. Are there some big-issue problems that go beyond blocking, running and tackling?
"I don't believe there is," Zorn answered. "In the big picture, I think things are progressing. We're getting better. It's not coming in the win. We're going to continue to press on and take care of those details."
Meanwhile, the Redskins expect defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth to be OK despite a hip injury that forced him out of the loss to the Lions. Zorn said Haynesworth has a strained glut muscle high in the hip area. The team said Haynesworth was having an MRI in Tennessee.
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Dan Snyder owns the team; so much for cutting him. Coach Zorn may be part of the problem, but he’s not all of it. This team has been unable to win with Joe Gibbs (hand goes over heart) or any of Zorn’s predessors. There’s only one constant over the past ten years when success has eluded us - the guy that can’t be cut.
Earth to Dan; beg, borrow, steal, do anything to get Bobby Beathard back and then get out of the way. Dan - enjoy long fall and winter vacations. Seattle is lovely in the fall; sail to Bainbridge Island and enjoy great meals. Miami is warm in the winter. Visit Joe’s stone crabs. Enjoy life and stay out of Washington. We’ll look forward to seeing you in the spring.
It’s hard to disagree with anything negative that has been said about the Skins in recent weeks. I am a firm believer in the “Curse of Dan Snyder”, meaning that I don’t think we’ll win a Super Bowl during his ownership.
I like Snyder because he’s a local guy who grew up as a Skins fan in D.C., made his billions and then decided to buy his favorite team in an effort to return them to glory. Great idea, but horrible execution. It’s kinda hard to complain about him because there are so many owners out there who refuse to spend big money to bring in top-notch talent.
In my opinion, the biggest problem with the Skins is Zorn. He is awful at calling plays, horrible at managing game situations(timeouts, etc.), and has absolutely no motivational/leadership skills. Not to mention he never seems to take responsibility for their poor performance, or even acknowledge they are stinking up the league to begin with! They’ve had great players and great defenses over the past 5 years, the problem has always been on the offensive side of the ball and the head coach.
*To whoever bashed Portis, you need to get your head checked because he’s been one of the most productive backs in the league since he joined the Skins. With all the carries he takes, missing a couple games per season with minor injuries is expected.
C’mon MJ! DeAngelo in the preseason was talking about how he was poised to go back to the Pro Bowl!
In fact, I think he’s already bought a ticket!!
I sure hope DeAngelo Hall is talking about himself when he says, “We’ve got a lot of people in here that think they’re better than they are. You can look at it and tell.“
I’ve never seen an NFL cornerback get called for more stupid penalties, get juked out of his shoes, and miss more half-hearted arm tackles than Hall has in his Redskin’s career.
Changing coaches is not the answer. They have gone down since losing Bobby Bethard as director of player personnel.
Traded probably the best db in the nfl for a running back that can’t take a hit, always getting hurt. Over paying for haynesworth instead of getting sanchez to replace campbell who has been given too much time.
I’m sure Jack Kent Cook is rolling over about now.
Get rid of Snyder and bring in an owner that knows enough to stay out of the way and you’ll solve 75-80% of the Redskins problems.
Snyder is the laughing stock of the NFL owners. The other guys know he’ll pay too much for over-rated players in free agency. Start with Saunders, Randel El, Bruce Smith to Albert Haynesworth. A bunch of over the hill players or in some cases never where players that Snyder has paid bizzillons of dollars and gotten little to nothing in return.
Thank goodness for Direct TV. At least now I don’t have to watch them.
I can’t argue with anything that has been said. Ilove my Redskins but they are a mess. I agree with Fletcher, there are a lot of egos that don’t deserve to feel like they do about each other. This is a problem that comes from the top. Constant shuffling of coaching staff and overinflated egos make for a horrible team. I still love and support them but…..... I wish they would get their act together.
You can’t get an MRI in the D.C. area? How can he prepare for next week’s game in Tennessee? Here’s a clue to the ‘skins problem - overpaid players who make no commitment to the team. It’s a dysfunctional mess from the top down.
It all starts at the top. Snyder needs to stop playing fantasy football and let football people make football decisions.
LOSERS, Plain and simple
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