"The Redskins finally have a coach and he has begun to finalize his staff.
With Jim Zorn in the fold, Redskins beat writer Ryan O'Halloran and Channel
4's Lindsay Czarniak talk about the 'process,' what happen with Jim Fassel,
Zorn's work load, the offseason and Sunday's Daytona 500.


1. Improbably, Jim Zorn is the new Redskins coach. Why Zorn instead of
somebody like Jim Fassel or Steve Mariucci? And what was gained by
conducting such a covert search?


Lindsay: I don't think Mariucci was ever much of a factor, but I do believe
Fassel came very close and certainly thought that he was going to be the
next head coach. When Fassel realized for the first time after his initial
interview that he may not be the Redskins guy, I imagine he felt stiffed but
he held out hope until the end. I think part of the reason he didn't get the
job was character, also perceived fan reaction. Ultimately, I think Zorn's
name kept coming up and a big part of what really sparked the initial
thought of looking at him as head coach was the family tree of Holmgren he
belongs to. You can't prove he's ever been bad or failed at head coaching
since he's never done it. He will be criticized for lack of experience but
coaches and staff I've talked to so far sing his praises as a leader that
has already earned their respect.

Ryan: Five days later, this is still a head-scratcher. My biggest nitpick is
with them claiming the Holmgren Coaching Tree as the primary reason for
hiring Zorn. If that was the case, why not go with Mariucci, who has head
coaching experience, knows how to handle a staff, the media and the locker
room. Fassel may not get a second chance after being strung along for
several weeks. The key way to determine Zorn's failure/success with the
Redskins will be Jason Campbell. Period. If Campbell plays well and the
Redskins have moderate success, then the hiring of Zorn is a good move. I
disagree with it (and I liked Zorn as the offensive coordinator) because
being a first-time head coach in this market is different than being a
first-time head coach in Charlotte or Jacksonville. As for the covert
search, it was a joke. The secrecy led to speculation and a wild-goose-chase
mentality among the media who more often than not had to call people out of
the blue to make sure they weren't a candidate. If Danny/Vinny would have
been more open about the process, the fans would have been more
understanding of the month-long process.


2. As the jilted-at-the-altar Jim Fassel said on the radio Monday morning,
Zorn is being asked to do three jobs he has never done before: Play caller,
offensive game planner and head coach. How much will this effect the time he
spends working with Jason Campbell?


Lindsay: It will effect the situation more than he's probably envisioned
since he doesn't have any coaching or coordinating experience to compare it
to. That's why his decision on who the quarterbacks coach will be is going
to be huge. I expect Greg Blache to have a significant role as defensive
coordinator, answering a lot of questions in general and allowing Zorn a
little leeway to work with Jason as much as possible.

Ryan: Zorn has given complete control of the defense to Blache, which for me
is a red flag after talking with a couple former players who said he made a
misstep in saying that. Even the defensive players must know who the boss is
and that's Zorn. If I'm a fan, I would be concerned that Zorn has hired an
assistant head coach-running backs and is close to tabbing an offensive
coordinator who wasn't a quarterback. Why no quarterbacks coach, Z Man? He
claims the offensive quality control coach will help with the quarterbacks,
but this is a mistake right off the hop by Zorn. But I do like that he'll be
calling the plays.


3. Zorn said Campbell is his starting quarterback. Should the Redskins make
a big effort to re-sign Todd Collins even if he accepts the fact the job
isn't up for grabs, or should they find a quarterback familiar with the West
Coast Offense?


Lindsay: Tough one because I think Collins really proved himself last
season. If I'm Collins, I want the heck out of dodge -- I would fight to
follow Saunders, frankly, because it's not like the Rams quarterback
situation is airtight. From the Redskins perspective, I think Collins would
pick up the system quickly.

Ryan: St. Louis would seem unlikely since Gus Frerotte is Scott Linehan's
‘Guy' inasmuch Collins is Saunders' ‘Guy.' Collins should look around,
especially to Miami and Atlanta, to get a starting gig for at least a
year -- he proved in December he can lead an offense. The Redskins would be
smart to sign a quarterback that Zorn feels comfortable tutoring Campbell.


4. If this weird hire doesn't work out, who will get the most blame: Snyder,
Vinny Cerrato or Zorn?


Lindsay: Blame will be tied up in the big red bow of, "Hey, we couldn't pass
up the chance to hire the next Andy Reid". It's impossible for the blame
"not" to fall on Snyder and Vinny if this doesn't work out. There is no way,
absolutely not a chance, that Zorn can be blamed for this. Seriously, I
don't care if he goes 1-15, he cannot be held at blame for taking an
unexpected, golden opportunity.

Ryan: I agree with Lindsay's take on the blame part. But taking things one
step further. Let's say the next two seasons are a debacle. Snyder would
have no choice but to make a change but will he make a change with the front
office? Would it finally be time to blow things up and start over with a
general manager and basic structure? I think he would.


5. Free agency starts on Feb. 29. The Redskins always find salary cap space
to make a couple of moves. Which players and which positions should be on
their radar this off-season?


Lindsay: It would be wise for the Redskins to go for a receiving threat –
especially a tall one and frankly, while so much else is changing, this is
the year I'd take a gamble on Chad Johnson. It might be tough to compete in
the locker room with a chatty Smoot, but if he reigns himself in, I say
while you're changing the philosophy of the Redskins as you are, have at it.
I just want Snyder to be the one to have to set him straight when the
show-boating becomes too much.

Ryan: Tall receiver, cover cornerback, offensive line depth, pass-rushing
defensive end, back up quarterback. And the Redskins don't have a lot of
salary cap space to add parts so the draft is paramount. Shawn Springs must
be retained now that Carlos Rogers is unlikely to be ready for Week 1. A big
receiver can be added in the draft but I'd use the first-round pick on a
pass rusher. Chad Johnson? I doubt the Bengals will move him, especially
after Marvin Lewis' comments on Wednesday.


Bonus: Joe Gibbs returned to racing for the first time since stepping down
as Redskins coach, and right out of the gate, two of his drivers, Denny
Hamlin and Tony Stewart, finished first and second at the Gatorade Duels
(the qualifying races for the Daytona 500). How much influence will Gibbs
have around the track this go around?


Lindsay: Much more than he will admit. Crew guys and drivers already say
that he is making a difference. J.D. runs the show, but is also viewed as
more of a peer/buddy that the drivers can lean on but also relate to. Coach
scares them a bit. They all respect him tremendously, but when Tony
Stewart's temper flares and there is trouble at the track, it's Coach Gibbs
that swoops in to iron things out… I can't wait to see when they win their
first race for Toyota!

Ryan: Joe seemed like a totally different guy when a couple of us chatted
with him in the No. 18 hauler Thursday morning. He even laughed at my joke
about his free agent decisions. Him being around the track takes a lot of
pressure off J.D. since it's Joe who talks to the sponsors at the
rubber-chicken dinners, hangs out around the garage to sign autographs and,
because he's the boss like Lindsay said, gets Stewart in order when Tony
flies off the cuff."

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