Pro Football Grapevine

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The Redskins dropped the ball last week to the Rams and yet the love fest for Jimmy Z continues.  Check out what Sally Jenkins of the Washington Post had to say.

But this much we know: how Zorn and the Redskins behaved the last time they suffered a sky-is-falling loss. After their dreadful opener against the Giants, a mortifying occasion for Zorn, I wrote them off prematurely, and was wrong. What I didn’t reckon on was Zorn’s combination of guts and flexibility: He absorbed the pressure without imploding, made strategic adjustments to help his young quarterback, Jason Campbell, with whom he’s been unrelentingly demanding yet never downbeat, worked seamlessly and blamelessly with defensive coordinator Greg Blache, and maintained the confidence of his team.

There’s something incurably frank about Zorn. He thinks aloud and wears his emotions on his sleeve. But as guileless as he is off the field, that’s how guileful he is with a headset on. If the Redskins are a better team than in recent years, it’s because they’ve hit on an infectious leader and absolutely superb play-caller who is shielding their deficiencies while showcasing their strengths. It’s a fascinating thing to watch: Other teams know they should be able to attack the offensive line, pressure Campbell, and bottle up Portis, but they can’t, because Zorn keeps them guessing so much.

Zorn makes everything easier, and everybody more confident, which is the surest sign of a good coach. Yes, it’s perilous to make long-term predictions about the Redskins, whether positive or negative. As my friend Mike Wilbon warns, it’s silly to make the “grandest of declarations after each football Sunday.” I’ve done it before, and been boldly wrong. But I’m comfortable making this one about Zorn: It looks like the man who can get it done is finally in the house.  (Source)