We're hearing that Seahawks quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn has agreed to a three-year deal to be the Redskins' offensive coordinator. That means associate head coach-offense Al Saunders is a goner for sure.
How it affects the search for a head coach is unsure, but Redskins owner Dan Snyder was working on a trifecta of former Giants head coach Jim Fassel, Zorn and Baltimore defensive coordinator Rex Ryan. The third piece won't happen. The first one remains a question mark. But Zorn is apparently a done deal.
Will update with more info as soon as we have it.
UPDATE (6:35 p.m.)
Zorn, Seattle's quarterbacks coach the last seven years, met with Snyder and executive vice president Vinny Cerrato on Wednesday at the Redskins owner's Potomac mansion.
Zorn flew home without agreeing to a deal. But after weighing whether to remain with the Seahawks with the hope of moving up to offensive coordinator in 2009 after coach Mike Holmgren retires, Zorn apparently opted for the promotion and the three-year, multi-million dollar deal now.
The Redskins declined comment. Zorn couldn't be reached for comment.
The new coach, whether it's Redskins assistant head coach/defense Gregg Williams, former New York Giants coach Jim Fassel, defensive coordinators Steve Spagnuolo of the Giants, Ron Meeks of Indianapolis and Jim Schwartz of Tennessee or New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, would have no control over who’ll be running his offense.
That could definitely tilt the balance against McDaniels considering the job and perhaps sway the competition towards a defensive coordinator, who wouldn't care as much about the offensive coordinator. However, Snyder had apparently envisioned a package deal of Fassel, Zorn and Baltimore defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, who's expected to remain with the Ravens, to whom he's under contract.
Saunders' departure would also mean that quarterback Jason Campbell would have to learn a third offense in just four seasons as a pro after playing under four coordinators in four years at Auburn.
"The Seahawks have a good offense; they throw the ball a lot which I definitely like," said Redskins receiver Reche Caldwell.
Comments (17)
Well, so much for stability. Here's hoping that Zorn can hold things together and keep the players united...and please, no west coast offense.
Posted by hail | January 25, 2008 5:37 PM
This is great news for all of us Mark Brunell fans.
Zorn said that Brunell plays the game like he used to do and he's loved him since his college days.
Brunell will definitely make the team now! Yess!
Posted by MoJo | January 25, 2008 6:05 PM
here we go,a whole new team another 5-11/4-12 year,thenwe will start over again.Im done.After 52 years,time to find another team.
Posted by dmond | January 25, 2008 8:03 PM
Great...four years of progress wiped out in less that two weeks...I feel like we are back in the Spurrier days....
Posted by Tim | January 25, 2008 8:09 PM
Great...four years of progress wiped out in less that two weeks...I feel like we are back in the Spurrier days....
Posted by Timmytowe | January 25, 2008 8:09 PM
Zorn comes from a West Coast Background. West Coast (offense) Redskins makes me a little bit nervous. I think back to the first half of the '06 when Brunell
was throwing 8 yd dink n dunks. By Mid season we were all screaming "run the ball". However Zorn could be good for JC.
Posted by AtlSkinsFan | January 25, 2008 8:29 PM
Been a 'Skins fan for 55 years, time to switch to the Seahawks!
Daniel Snyder has the same football smarts that God granted to a soap bubble.
Posted by BloggerRadio | January 25, 2008 9:52 PM
If Al Saunders had been let go 2 yrs. ago, we might still have the wonderful OFFENSIVE mind of Joe Gibbs at the helm.
Posted by bettyincrw | January 25, 2008 11:38 PM
ZORN WILL BE SMART IF PUTS IN HIS OFFENCE USING AS MUCH OF SANDERS TERMINOLIGY AS POSSIBLE, HE NEEDS TO KEEP IT SIMPLE FAST PACE TYPE OFFENCE LETTING JASON CAMPBLE CHANGE CALLS AT THE LINE.
Posted by nucsubfixer | January 25, 2008 11:51 PM
REAL REDSKIN FANS DONT SWITCH TEAMS THAY DIE REDSKINS
Posted by nucsubfixer | January 25, 2008 11:55 PM
FIRST THING MR. ZORN NEEDS IS A BIG YOUNG OFFENSE LINE OR NOTHING HE TRYS WILL WORK A BIG TALL FAST RECEVER WOULDNT HURT.
Posted by nucsubfixer | January 26, 2008 12:01 AM
Snyder,does not know how to own a team. Past mistakes should have told him something by now. You can't keep switching systems around. The team changes systems just like the wind change directions. Why bring in a head coach with a loosing record. This might sound stupid to some people but, Marty was a good coach for the Skins. Snyder needs get over his oversized ego and let Marty run the team. Greg Williams is a good defensive coach. The defense knows his system very well know need to switch. If Snyder brings in one of these coaches i.e Jim Fassel, and Rex Ryan the skins would lose some key players on offense and defense. Synder name should be "Can't Do Right". He is Sorry!!!
Posted by Darkman39 | January 26, 2008 12:14 AM
Go ahead jump on the "Im not a Redskins fan anymore" bandwagon. You fair weather fans have been waiting for any hiring news to have an excuse to bail. Zorn is a solid hire. Maybe Dan Snyder's not a football genius but the man is learning and has the heart and desire to try to build a winner. Something you so called fans lack.
Posted by tater | January 26, 2008 12:21 AM
Vinny the Pooh is on the loose - look out! The thought of a West Coast Offense being imposed on our power running philosophy is repugnant. If there's anything that Snyder (the great fan) should have learned from Joe Gibbs it's that to win in the NFC East you have to be physical and dominating at the point of attack... Now we hire a dink and dunk putrid finesse style.... I just HATE the thought that the Redskins will be a finesse team....hate it.
Posted by egrib | January 26, 2008 12:25 AM
I've been a redskin fan since 1945. Rather than change teams, see if Snyder learned anything from Gibbs in the past 4 years. If he hasn't, tune them out and stop supporting them until a new owner comes in. If enough people realize it is the owner they are supporting and not the Redskins team, the loss of support will become noticeable by dropping attendence and revenue.
Sam
Posted by sam alexander | January 26, 2008 9:27 AM
How can you hire an offensive co-ordinator when you don't know who your head coach will be? Don't they need to work together? At least hire a head coach and then narrow the coaching possibilities.
Posted by L Byrd | January 26, 2008 12:35 PM
Maybe it is time to go in search of another team owner. The one the Redskins currently have is not very bright!!! I guess the way to let him know thwt his time is up is by limiting what go's in his wallet.
Posted by fred schultz | January 27, 2008 10:44 AM