Jim Zorn To Relinquish Playcalling Duties

So here's what happened, as it was explained to the assembled media by the folks in Redskins PR:
After today's loss to the Chiefs, head coach Jim Zorn had a private meeting with executive vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato, where Cerrato said to Zorn, "I believe you have too much on your plate. Let's take some responsibility off you. I want you to succeed; I want someone else to call the play."
Zorn said "I don't disagree," and now the two are going to meet tomorrow morning to finalize who the new playcaller will be.
Zorn will be having his usual Monday 12:25 availability tomorrow, and the new playcaller should be announced then.
The playcaller will be someone currently on the staff; the obvious candidates are all named Sherman: offensive coordinator Sherman Smith, or consultant and professional extra set of eyes Sherman Lewis. Longshots might include offensive assistant Chris Meidt, a trusted confidant of Zorn's who works closely with the quarterbacks; tight ends coach Scott Wachenheim, who called plays on the college level; assistant head coach/running backs Stump Mitchell, who's extremely familiar with the offense; 32 year coaching vet Joe Bugel; or wide receivers coach Stan Hixon.
One way or another, we'll know tomorrow. For now, who do you think should get the job?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
10-19-2009 @ 9:14AM
fsaunders said...
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Thos os all just garbage. The problem is not Zorn's playcalling or Zorn's offense or Blache's defense. The problem is Snyder's ownership and Cerrato's management 0 until those 2 buffoons disappear, it will not matter who calls the plays.
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10-23-2009 @ 9:48AM
skogok said...
I couldn't agree more. Crap filters down from the top. Snyder needs to stop trying to micr0 manage the team and Cerrato is just Snyder's yes man. Can we trade these two?
10-20-2009 @ 4:34PM
RedskinsJer said...
I couldn't agree more. Zorn's bad playcalling is not the root problem - it is a symptom of the real problem - Dan Snyder. Snyder decided that instead of hiring a real coach and giving him the authority to pick his staff, he would just promote his brand new offensive coordinator who had never been more than a QB's coach previously. If it wasn't for Al Davis, Snyder would be the worst owner in the NFL. The Redskins are going to have a hard time ever getting a real coach (Gruden, Holmgren, Shanahan, etc) because those guys have no reason to come to Washington. If you can get a job whenever you want, why would you take a job with one of the worst organizations that will limit your authority and opportunity for success? You wouldn't! Until Snyder grows up, gives up authority to a coach, gets rid of Cerrato in favor of a real GM, or just sells the team (please please please!), we are going to see the same worthless pile of crap product on the field.
10-18-2009 @ 9:12PM
dready1rasta said...
Hey Zorn!!! Wipe off your chin!!!!!
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10-18-2009 @ 9:19PM
dready1rasta said...
The fact that not only does that incompetent hack Cerrato still have a job, the moron is STILL ALLOWED TO MAKE DECISIONS concerning the Redskins!!! This is insane!!! Only one person can stop the MADNESS!!!!!!
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10-18-2009 @ 9:42PM
keithamcgregor said...
I'm not surprised by this. Zorn has had to much on his plate and I recommended this move weeks ago. But this in no way relieves
Vinny of his responsibility in this disaster. This is a roster that needs to be totally reworked by a talented GM. I could go into a position by position breakdown, but I''m trying to watch the Bears-
Falcons game right now. Fire Vinny!!!
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10-18-2009 @ 9:48PM
SuperSkins said...
Danny and Vinny don't want a real head coach, they want a puppet. It makes sense though, since they are so much smarter than everyone else.
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10-18-2009 @ 9:50PM
SuperSkins said...
And it doesn't matter who call the plays. We are still going to suck ass...Our offensive players stink.
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10-18-2009 @ 9:55PM
Texas Redskin said...
So freakin embarrased right now...
Actually..this is my last post. Ive had it with this team for this year.
I have been a fan since i can remember...i'm 35yrs old. this is the lowest i've ever felt. This team sucks...still a fan, but this is it for '09......I'll still wear my burgandy and gold....but $hit...Daniel, send me some money for my bar tab.
We'll see about next year....HTTR!
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10-20-2009 @ 8:37AM
chefkynif said...
lol,. i like ur post
10-18-2009 @ 10:03PM
Lilly said...
This is so embarrassing. One would hope that through this, Snyder would understand how much he has messed up this team. I doubt it though. I know he loves the team... he just doesn't know how to be an owner.
Feel bad for Zorn. He's tried his best given what he had to work with. I see all these "experts" writing in saying Zorn is useless... Hey, all of you!!! YOU'RE ALL IDIOTS!!! What would YOU do if you were given the job? Would YOU turn it down? I don't think so! You would take Dan's money and try your best just like Jim Zorn did! He has a good mind... he's just not got the experience to call plays that are right for the team he's working with rather than call plays for ANY team that has talent that can execute them! Don't you see this?
Stop raggin on Zorn and put the criticism where it belongs... with Dan Snyder and, by default, his flunky, Vinnie Cerrato.
'Nuff said.
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10-18-2009 @ 10:05PM
Lilly said...
This is so embarrassing. One would hope that through this, Snyder would understand how much he has messed up this team. I doubt it though. I know he loves the team... he just doesn't know how to be an owner.
Feel bad for Zorn. He's tried his best given what he had to work with. I see all these "experts" writing in saying Zorn is useless... Hey, all of you!!! YOU'RE ALL IDIOTS!!! What would YOU do if you were given the job? Would YOU turn it down? I don't think so! You would take Dan's money and try your best just like Jim Zorn did! He has a good mind... he's just not got the experience to call plays that are right for the team he's working with rather than call plays for ANY team that has talent that can execute them! Don't you see this?
Stop raggin on Zorn and put the criticism where it belongs... with Dan Snyder and, by default, his flunky, Vinnie Cerrato.
'Nuff said.
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10-18-2009 @ 10:07PM
rufwork said...
You know, I'd be real upset with Zorn except for one thing: He never asked to be the coach of this team. Snyder asked him.
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10-19-2009 @ 10:11PM
GLove said...
I like your comment....I think the team needs a name change, its like they're cursed due to their current name & won't win until it's changed.
10-18-2009 @ 10:13PM
Jon said...
Let's go here and then push forward with the subject on hand.
1) Nobody cares how long you've been a fan, whether you're a true fan or not, or if you're more of a fan than someone else. To argue that on a blog is ridiculous nonsense and it doesn't make a difference whether you're a 50 year fan of the Redskins or if you've recently came into the fray of liking football.
2) Nobody cares if you decide to boycott the Redskins, their memorabilia or their games. You are one fan and to have maybe one or two others backing you still does not make the difference to Snyder's bottom line because there will probably be 10 others behind you who are just waiting to get their chance at the seats that you relinquish.
Alright, now that we've got that out of the way. Jim Zorn, buddy, you are dead to the Redskins now, you know that? Next week, we're going to get steamrolled by the Eagles who are going to come out on fire after they themselves looked terrible against Oakland. This is the last step before you simply lose your job and it doesn't really matter much from here because everyone is saying you're going to lose your job after the bye week.
However, let's just look at it from this angle. Vinny and Danny haven't done much of anything to prove they are sane...so Zorn might actually keep his job for the rest of the year. Let's put that twist on it and we'll be 2-10 coming to week 13 and looking at a high draft pick. That's what it's looking like.
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10-18-2009 @ 10:31PM
dready1rasta said...
True about the draft pick Jon, but Vinny'll just waste it on a punter.
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10-18-2009 @ 10:44PM
Jim Burneti said...
Let me get this straight. The genius who hired offensive and defensive coordinators before searching for the last head coach; the genius who drafted 3 receivers who can't actually catch; the genius who replenished our aging offensive line; the genius who year after year puts us into salary cap hell going after aging former pro-bowlers and out-of-shape big names.... He's still making football decisions????? Who should be calling the plays? For this year, the coach you've got in place. Next year.... the NEW HEAD COACH or the Offensive Coordinator of his choice.... as selected by the new GM.... as selected by the NEW OWNER or the panel of impartial outside experts consulted by Mr. $nyder (headed by Ted Leonsis and a respected old NFL hand).
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10-18-2009 @ 10:45PM
crayz888 said...
coach zorn you say your the biggest fan in your interview, daniel snyder you say your the biggest fan you two should go screw yourselves and afterthat dan have your little puppet vinnie wipe you off. YOU SHOULD ALL FIRE YOUR SELVES IF YOU ARE TRULY FANS!!!! BETTER YET DAN FIRE DUMB ASS VINNIE THEN JIM THEN YOUR SELF. IM A BIGGER FAN THAN ALL THREE OF YOU PUT TOGETHER AND IM FED UP.
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10-18-2009 @ 11:01PM
jchinc said...
The VP of Football Operations is a complete failure. I have no idea how this guy has kept a job. What was the number one issue the day after the last game of last season? Answer: the offensive line. What did the VP do to address the problem? Answer: Spend about $200 million on three defensive players. On the fourth-ranked defense in the league! Portis was broken last year and he's still broken. Why is Randel-El still returning punts? Losing is one thing but this is embarrassing.
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10-18-2009 @ 11:11PM
Scooter said...
I met Clinton Portis at a McDonalds last week. He was eating 3 orders of McNuggets. That might be why the Skins are losing.
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