I agree with you concerning the O-line. However, Zorn made a classic coaching mistake made by many, believeing the design of his game book is more important than the design of his team. Great coaches evaluate their talent and then design a game book that fits and highlights those talents. Zorn, like others before him, ignore this in favor of what “he knows will work”. Gibbs made the same mistake in his second tour trying to install the KC offense with Saunders (BTW it was an exciting offense - with Trent Green QBing). Gibbs was smart enough to abandon it mid season and return to “Redskins” football (run, run, play action pass, run .. play good defense). The Redskins are not designed to run the west coast offense. They are designed to run hard and throw deep. Jason Campbell was signed because he can throw deep, not because he can make 5 reads and adjust within 2 seconds after snap and drop. I personnally don’t think the NFC East is an appropriate venue for the WC Offense. We play outdoors in bad weather. They call it WC for a reason - it works in Domes and under sunny skies - not in NY in December. Finally, the WC Offense is not that scary anymore - LBs know how to cover in space - in the 1980s that was not true. Even so, the 49ers were routinely beaten by NFC East teams during the 1980s. The 49ers had one especially fortuitous situation - they played in the NFC West - cake walk, which gave the impression that the offense was unbeatable.
Finally, Dan Snyder is an idiot. He can redeem himself by hiring Cowar this off season. Cowar will require complete control however. Maybe an embarrassing season will finally convince Dan to let a professional run the team.
As you said, the Redskins just don't have those guys who are well-suited to do that. Really, not many teams do.
The Redskins are not designed to run the west coast offense. They are designed to run hard and throw deep.
“Running hard” and really, really difficult if O-line is in shambles.
do not agree with this, the Eagles run a version of WC ...
I personally don’t think the NFC East is an appropriate venue for the WC Offense.
do not agree with this, Green Bay super bowl team ran a version of WC...
We play outdoors in bad weather. They call it WC for a reason - it works in Domes and under sunny skies - not in NY in December.
You are right in the sense Jason Campbell isn't good a make several reads and make an super accurate throw 5-15 yards...not what he is good at (he is good at deep ball), lots of short accurate, high percentage throws is what WC is predicated on.
However, Jason is the biggest issue with offense. The biggest reason offense is not working is the many routes a good WC requires drags, crossing routes etc, require good pass protection as can take a bit longer to develop...., and have been reluctant to call this part of it as will likely result in sack....the routes have been reduced to go routes and slants etc as these take less time to develop...also Cooley (one of their best receivers) has been stuck on the line blocking....
When Zorn started he had a pretty good record, when Chris Samuels when down last year is when they started going down hill.....this is not noted in the media much
They need to trust the backup offence lineman to do their job, run a full version of it which includes longer routes, even if it results in an occational sack.
The “West Coast offense” has had so many adaptations and variations that the word is somewhat devoid of meaning.
Folks in Seattle know that Zorn was instumental in esp red zone play of the Seahawks who repeatedly won their division. Zorn has a accuman, integrity and grit to be a very good nfl coach--not sure he can change the problems with the organization though....
However, Jason is the biggest issue with offense.
correction, typo, should be:
However, Jason is not the biggest issue with offense.