Zorn and Greg Blache on our offense

by Skin Patrol on Feb 29, 2008 12:02 PM EST in Redskins Analysis

Per a Yahoo! Sports Redskins team report:

"This whole game, I believe, is about rhythm," Zorn said. "I don't think it's about hanging onto the ball until you see a guy already open and then (say robotically), `He is open. I think I should throw him the ball.' Because in this game, you're going to get knocked down. You're going to get the ball knocked out of your hand."...

"We have speed," Zorn said. "Santana, I'm just hoping he's ready to go deep, to break routes off and catch a lot of footballs. He's a tremendous talent. ... In this particular offense, you've got to have a great inside receiver. Antwaan (tapping his head like a no-brainer), I'm just hoping that he really excels. You've got to have a great tight end to be able to become balanced. (Tight end) Chris Cooley is in the Pro Bowl."...

"If you have a running back that can come out of the backfield, he has to be able to get himself open," Zorn said. "The quarterback has to be able to look downfield and throw the ball to the running back, not sitting there waiting. If you have all those elements in place, it's very tough defensively."

The one goes with the other, as you can't very well release the ball quickly to a receiver down the field if that guy hasn't made distance in a hurry. Santana Moss makes distances in hurries. Prior to his joining the Redskins, the only thing I remembered from Moss was hearing way back in 2001 that he was the fastest player at the combine. And, minding the source, it's alleged he was the 8th fastest combine player from '99-'07. (ESPN says his 4.31 40 time was fifth fastest since 2000.) I've said it over and over again, but his biggest strength isn't even his speed. No one I've seen can adjust to a ball while it is mid-air better than Santana Moss. His body control is incredible, observe:

"Santana Moss, oh my." He attacked that ball. There simply aren't a lot of players in the NFL who can do that and yet, for whatever reason, we haven't been able to get Moss as involved in the offense as he was in '05. Then: 1,483 yards, 17.7 YPC, 9 touchdowns. Since: 1598 yards, 13.7 YPC, 9 touchdowns. Todd Yoder knows what time it is:

"Maybe a change of pace will be good. Maybe we can better utilize some of our personnel. Some of our guys may fit this offense better. Maybe we can get the ball in Santana's hands and Antwaan's more often and let them use their skills after the catch."--Tight end Todd Yoder, who played in the West Coast scheme with Tampa Bay...

You won't ever see me write less Santana Moss. Get him the damn ball every play, as far as I'm concerned. Anyways, D-Coordinator Greg Blache on the offense:

New defensive coordinator Greg Blache agreed that Zorn's offense could make for long days for opposing defenses.

"The ball comes out quick," Blache said. "The quarterback takes five steps and the ball's coming out. It's really a tough offense (to defend) and then you add the dimension of the running game. I see it being a very successful offense."

That will all depend on how quickly the team can get on the same page with new head coach Jim Zorn, though I remain cautiously optimistic. The talent is there: we'll return all our starters on offense, including two key guys on the offensive line. Randy Thomas will hopefully have more than 3 starts this year, Jansen more than one. In spite of those injuries, and some real question marks playing behind those guys (Stephon Heyer turned out to be a pleasent surprise though I felt Todd Wade disappointed) we had above average pass protection and an at least competitive run blocking unit. If Thomas and Jansen remain health(ier) both will improve.

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Talent is

half the battle but usually the harder part. Lucky for us the talent is already there to at least make the wildcard. Zorn has to implament his ideas without making us worse. (a la Norv in San Diego) Couple this with a "normal" offseason and I am more optimistic than years past.

I'd prefer no trades invoving draft picks of any kind, or signing any washed up old Wr. MAYBE Issac Bruce...maybe.

by CptChaosSidekick on Feb 29, 2008 12:14 PM EST reply actions

Continuity

That's all that was talked about when the Redskins were looking for a Head Coach to replace Gibbs.
The saying goes that players are the ones on the field and play the game.
The Redskins CAP maybe at the limit but look at our offensive starters...They are ALL locked up for at least the next 2 years, a large majority are locked up FOREVER (Cooley, Jansen, Samuels, Portis, Moss)
THAT's CONTINUITY...An injury free year is ahead for 2008...along with TONS of opportunity and a fresh approach.

by dr WNC on Feb 29, 2008 12:29 PM EST reply actions

well, as for our offense...

they had better hope that Asante Samuel is overrated, Sporting News.com repors he signed with the Beagles...for 47.2 mil-I didn't check the years, but if it is over five years, that's far less than I ever expected.

by JustinU804 on Feb 29, 2008 2:58 PM EST reply actions

No contract yet...for A.S.

As for the offense, one exceptional defender does not have the answer for this...per New defensive coordinator Greg Blache
"agreed that Zorn's offense could make for long days for opposing defenses. "The ball comes out quick," Blache said. "The quarterback takes five steps and the ball's coming out. It's really a tough offense (to defend) and then you add the dimension of the running game. I see it being a very successful offense."

by dr WNC on Feb 29, 2008 3:08 PM EST up reply actions