Jim Zorn’s Final Press Conference of the Season
(Redskins Park) - Sporting his burgundy and gold tie he received as a gift, the 8-8 Redskins head coach, Jim Zorn, says his WCO (West Coast Offense) is sound, but says he wants his players to try harder.
On what he hopes the players will do in the off season: “I gave them a sheet (he calls it Pursuit) that they can take with them, of ideas of things they can pursue in the off-season, and things that can help them get better; we all have to get better.”
“How do you do that? You just can’t talk about it", said Zorn.
Quoting John Wooten (retired UCLA basketball coach), Zorn told reporters that he hopes the players “do not mistake activity for achievement.” (More Wooten quotes here).
“You don’t just run two miles or lift weights to look good in the mirror. We have to have purpose in our off season pursuits that will allow us to get better.”
“I want some dinosaur training with these guys so that when they come back they can get better.” (DT? I learn so much at these pressers).
Looking back…
Zorn says he’d like to review tape and look at what happened in the third quarters of games to see how the team fell short.
What happened to the West Coast Offense? we asked...
"Pittsburgh, Dallas, and the Ravens games", replied Zorn.
"Those games really took a toll on us. We had injuries, and we faced difficult teams. Even then, we moved the ball, but we had a hard time scoring."
Who’s stayin’ and who’s goin’…
Not giving specifics, or naming names of players who may (or may not be) back next season, Zorn says, “Our goal is to evaluate players from both the coaches’ angle, [and] the scout’s angle, and come together with a consensus.”
“Things do change, and every year there’s new players, and every year players happen to move around a bit.“
“My preference would be to bring everybody back [next season].”
His plan to make the team better in the off-season…
“We’re going to build on our strengths and close the gaps on our weaknesses as we evaluate our players and our schemes. That’s where it’s all going to take place.”
“We’re going to get some time off. I’m really going to work on our off-season schedule on how we can accomplish a lot.”
The Redskins suffered a heart-wrenching, season ending 24-27 loss to the 49ers in San Francisco yesterday.
Quarterback, Jason Campbell scored the team’s final touchdown in the 4th quarter to tie the game 24-24 off a 2-yard run with 1:09 left, but it wasn’t enough to carry the team to a victory as the 49ers gained a 39-yard game winning field goal by Joe Nedley with less than :20 seconds left in the game.
Player injuries...
Several players are scheduled to have post-season surgery. Randy Thomas (neck) is scheduled for surgery on January 5, 2009.
Other players needing fixing... Kedric Golson (bone surgery –ankle); Anthony Montgomery (knee scope); Colt Brennan (knee scope, possible meniscus tear). Malcolm Kelly suffered knee injuries.
In a strange twist of events... The team thought to have been the worse team in the NFC East earlier in the season, the Philly Eagles, (beaten twice by the Redskins this year), actually made it to the playoffs.
Go figure.
On being the head coach... “I was excited that team owner, Dan Snyder entrusted the team to me as head coach.
“He really let me be head coach."
“I didn’t really feel overwhelmed with the responsibility of being the head football coach here”, said Zorn.
In retrospect, Zorn said not making the playoffs is disheartening to him, and that’s where he needs to improve.
“I want to coach a playoff team. Not just a team that gets to the playoffs.”
The NFL saw four rookie coaches this year. All of them (Baltimore's John Harbaugh, Atlanta's Mike Smith, and Miami's Tony Sparanoare) are in the playoffs except Skins’ Jim Zorn and the Washington Redskins.
Looking ahead…
“We got better at the quarterback position, and we’re going to get better this off-season, so you’re going to notice better things even next year”, said Zorn.
“My hope is that I’m going to get stronger in the overall management of the total team… getting stronger and stronger as the head coach.”
All in all, an OK season for the Skins. At least we didn't finish 0-16, and we get the 13th pick in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft.
Around the League
Singletary Signs For 'Four More Years'!
Detroit Lions Fire Head Coach After Winless Season
Just Up 95, The B'more Ravens Make Playoffs!
So What If Portis Wants Yards? Can't A Brother Set Goals For Himself Without The Media Trippin'?
(Redskins Park) - Sporting his burgundy and gold tie he received as a gift, the 8-8 Redskins head coach, Jim Zorn, says his WCO (West Coast Offense) is sound, but says he wants his players to try harder.
On what he hopes the players will do in the off season: “I gave them a sheet (he calls it Pursuit) that they can take with them, of ideas of things they can pursue in the off-season, and things that can help them get better; we all have to get better.”
“How do you do that? You just can’t talk about it", said Zorn.
Quoting John Wooten (retired UCLA basketball coach), Zorn told reporters that he hopes the players “do not mistake activity for achievement.” (More Wooten quotes here).
“You don’t just run two miles or lift weights to look good in the mirror. We have to have purpose in our off season pursuits that will allow us to get better.” “I want some dinosaur training with these guys so that when they come back they can get better.” (DT? I learn so much at these pressers).
Looking back…
Zorn says he’d like to review tape and look at what happened in the third quarters of games to see how the team fell short.
What happened to the West Coast Offense? we asked...
"Pittsburgh, Dallas, and the Ravens games", replied Zorn.
"Those games really took a toll on us. We had injuries, and we faced difficult teams. Even then, we moved the ball, but we had a hard time scoring."
Who’s stayin’ and who’s goin’…
Not giving specifics, or naming names of players who may (or may not be) back next season, Zorn says, “Our goal is to evaluate players from both the coaches’ angle, [and] the scout’s angle, and come together with a consensus.”
“Things do change, and every year there’s new players, and every year players happen to move around a bit.“
“My preference would be to bring everybody back [next season].”
His plan to make the team better in the off-season…
“We’re going to build on our strengths and close the gaps on our weaknesses as we evaluate our players and our schemes. That’s where it’s all going to take place.”
“We’re going to get some time off. I’m really going to work on our off-season schedule on how we can accomplish a lot.”
The Redskins suffered a heart-wrenching, season ending 24-27 loss to the 49ers in San Francisco yesterday.
Quarterback, Jason Campbell scored the team’s final touchdown in the 4th quarter to tie the game 24-24 off a 2-yard run with 1:09 left, but it wasn’t enough to carry the team to a victory as the 49ers gained a 39-yard game winning field goal by Joe Nedley with less than :20 seconds left in the game.
Player injuries...
Several players are scheduled to have post-season surgery. Randy Thomas (neck) is scheduled for surgery on January 5, 2009.
Other players needing fixing... Kedric Golson (bone surgery –ankle); Anthony Montgomery (knee scope); Colt Brennan (knee scope, possible meniscus tear). Malcolm Kelly suffered knee injuries.
In a strange twist of events... The team thought to have been the worse team in the NFC East earlier in the season, the Philly Eagles, (beaten twice by the Redskins this year), actually made it to the playoffs.
Go figure.
On being the head coach... “I was excited that team owner, Dan Snyder entrusted the team to me as head coach.
“He really let me be head coach."
“I didn’t really feel overwhelmed with the responsibility of being the head football coach here”, said Zorn.
In retrospect, Zorn said not making the playoffs is disheartening to him, and that’s where he needs to improve.
“I want to coach a playoff team. Not just a team that gets to the playoffs.”
The NFL saw four rookie coaches this year. All of them (Baltimore's John Harbaugh, Atlanta's Mike Smith, and Miami's Tony Sparanoare) are in the playoffs except Skins’ Jim Zorn and the Washington Redskins.
Looking ahead…
“We got better at the quarterback position, and we’re going to get better this off-season, so you’re going to notice better things even next year”, said Zorn.
“My hope is that I’m going to get stronger in the overall management of the total team… getting stronger and stronger as the head coach.”
All in all, an OK season for the Skins. At least we didn't finish 0-16, and we get the 13th pick in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft.
Around the League
Singletary Signs For 'Four More Years'!
Detroit Lions Fire Head Coach After Winless Season
Just Up 95, The B'more Ravens Make Playoffs!
So What If Portis Wants Yards? Can't A Brother Set Goals For Himself Without The Media Trippin'?
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