PAUL WOODY: The Skins’ new era begins with Zorn

By Paul Woody
Published: July 21, 2008

The Washington Redskins have a new coach, a new offense and the same old problem:
They play in the rugged NFC East, with the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys, a Super Bowl contender.
Still, it’s easy to think of five reasons to be optimistic about the Redskins’ 2008 prospects. It also is not hard to think of five reasons for pessimism.
On the bright side . . .
1. Familiarity breeds success.
Every starter returns from the Redskins wild card playoff game.
Not only that, the Redskins have several players who would have been starters in the playoffs had they not been out with injuries.
2. The Z-Man has been a hit.
The players seem to like their new coach, Jim Zorn (right). He is an enthusiastic, high-energy leader. He believes players respond well to praise, encouragement and patience.
That does not mean Zorn takes it easy on anyone. He demands that things be done correctly. He does not hesitate to make his displeasure known, loudly, when he’s had enough.
3. Run to daylight.
Zorn is making changes in the passing game, but the running game is remaining largely the same. The zone blocking schemes that the veteran offensive line execute so well still will be in force.
Clinton Portis has had one of his best offseasons. He’s a 1,200-yard runner when he is able to avoid injuries. Ladell Betts is an outstanding backup who is capable of starting for a number of teams.
4. ’Tis better to receive.
The Redskins needed to improve their depth at wide receiver and made a concerted effort to do so. They drafted two wide receivers, Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly, in the second round. If they are successful, that will take some pressure off Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El.
Zorn wants to take advantage of the tight end in the passing game, and few are more capable than the Redskins’ Chris Cooley.
5. Now, it’s not just a title.
Greg Blache is the defensive coordinator, a title he has held since 2004. Unlike past years, when he was the defensive line coach, Blache really is in charge of the defense now.
He knows the players. The players know him. Everyone knows what to expect, and Blache has been in charge of a defense before.
Blache did an outstanding job with the line and should do the same with the defense.
So there, you have it. Let the playoffs begin.
. . . Uh, hold on a second
1. The Z-man is new at this.
Zorn initially was hired to be the offensive coordinator. He never has been a head coach at any level. He’s never even called the plays in an NFL game.
No one knows how he’ll do when the team hits a rough stretch, things start to come apart and Zorn has to pull them together.
2. Speaking of rough patches . . .
The schedule-makers did Zorn no favors. The Redskins open Thursday, Sept. 4 against the Giants at Giants Stadium, where the Redskins are 3-5 since 2000.
Three of the Redskins’ first five games are on the road, including trips to Dallas and Philadelphia. The Redskins also close with three of four on the road.
3. If the Redskins were a singing group, they’d be called, “Z-Man and the Question Marks.”
Starting offensive linemen Jon Jansen and Randy Thomas are coming off major injuries. Jansen has missed two of the past four seasons with injuries. Thomas has missed all or part of two of the past three seasons because of injuries.
Left guard Pete Kendall has chronically sore knees.
On defense, depth is needed at cornerback and linebacker, and the safety spots are unsettled. The front four must consistently generate a pass rush.
4. No, not that offense, this offense.
Quarterback Jason Campbell will be in his third offense in his fourth NFL season. He had four offenses in four seasons at Auburn. A lot of plays are rolling around in his mind.
Campbell says he’s used to learning new things, but there also is a point where there are too many new things to learn.
Add to that the adjustments Zorn wants Campbell to make with his footwork and his stance as he moves away from center, and Campbell has a lot to process.
5. Ain’t that a kick in the pants.
The Redskins have to improve their kicking game.
Punter Derrick Frost went into a slump last season that he could not break.
And in the playoff game against Seattle, kicker Shaun Suisham missed a 30-yard field goal attempt that would have been a big boost.
Suisham and Frost remain on the roster. Frost has competition from Durant Brooks, a sixth-round draft choice.
Suisham enters training camp with no competition, but that can change quickly if he falters during the preseason.