great, great article of Zorn from WP

[greatest2]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...110202174.html

just a great article about the type of football man he is and how it translates to the team.

if he continues this way i believe the team will play for him through tough times, and when times are good they won't let him down. this was a trait that gibbs had and most great coach's have. It looks like Zorn has it as well, and i guess we will find out for sure as the season goes on.

[cal_junior]

Wow, Barry S. coming strong. He might be the best the Post has.

[shally]

great article

so, the question is, how did the entire nfl not see what he was in his 50's ?

he obviously has always had ambition, but why did it take so long for him to even rate a shot as an OC, much less a HC ?

[WarEagle]

Originally Posted by shally

great article

so, the question is, how did the entire nfl not see what he was in his 50's ?

he obviously has always had ambition, but why did it take so long for him to even rate a shot as an OC, much less a HC ?

I think he was widely viewed as a "professional qb coach" who would never rise above that level. His playing pro ball took a large chunk of coaching development time away from him. And how would that look on a resume? That resume isn't very competitive.

He was discovered accidentally by Dan during an unlikely OC interview. Amazing. Clearly, the Seahawks org didn't recognize what they had and did Jim a disservice by not promoting him within, or quietly alerting another NFL team about this guy.

At least that's the only way I can explain it.

[RoanokeSkin]

Very nice article. I really love the idea of a head coach who listens to his staff. To listen to Blache describe how he would "step between me and the bear" it really tells you that the staff buys in to what he is doing as well.

I must say, when I first heard that we had hired Jim Zorn I was a skeptic, but now I believe we may have found our head coach for the long run.

[shally]

Originally Posted by RoanokeSkin

Very nice article. I really love the idea of a head coach who listens to his staff. To listen to Blache describe how he would "step between me and the bear" it really tells you that the staff buys in to what he is doing as well.

I must say, when I first heard that we had hired Jim Zorn I was a skeptic, but now I believe we may have found our head coach for the long run.

i think he is a great fit for a veteran team who could have easily been resentful of a first time head coach, or turned off by a ham handed approach

also, the fact that someone like buges could feel invigorated after a coaching lifetime spent under gibbs says everything to me.. when coaches like him and blache have bought into the new system that is very impressive

[redskin_rich]

Originally Posted by shally

great article

so, the question is, how did the entire nfl not see what he was in his 50's ?

he obviously has always had ambition, but why did it take so long for him to even rate a shot as an OC, much less a HC ?

The same reason that retreads like Norv, Bum's son, both Mora's, etc keep getting jobs -- There is a serious lack of cojones in the NFL front offices.

[Sweepea436]

Originally Posted by shally

i think he is a great fit for a veteran team who could have easily been resentful of a first time head coach, or turned off by a ham handed approach

also, the fact that someone like buges could feel invigorated after a coaching lifetime spent under gibbs says everything to me.. when coaches like him and blache have bought into the new system that is very impressive

See I was thinking the opposite. I was thinking his strict schedule, ect. would be better suited for the young players - as far as giving them clear expectations and structuring their days. I think the fact that he listens to his players is what endears him to the vets. He's done a great job of moulding the young guys (calling out under-acheivers, praising/rewarding good effort), letting them know how its going to be, and being fair and steady accross the board.

[shally]

Originally Posted by redskin_rich

The same reason that retreads like Norv, Bum's son, both Mora's, etc keep getting jobs -- There is a serious lack of cojones in the NFL front offices.

i think that is part of it, for certain. why else would guys like norv and wade keep getting chances over and over ?

also, it is such a copy cat league that ownership is fearful of trying anything new and untried. especially when you see what happens with a total flop like cameron or petrino

i also wonder if there is some kind of network that keeps pushing "safe" choices to the front ? not collusion per se, but the fact that agents and personnel men have a certain comfort zone with a group of candidates ?

[shally]

Originally Posted by Sweepea436

See I was thinking the opposite. I was thinking his strict schedule, ect. would be better suited for the young players - as far as giving them clear expectations and structuring their days. I think the fact that he listens to his players is what endears him to the vets. He's done a great job of moulding the young guys (calling out under-acheivers, praising/rewarding good effort), letting them know how its going to be, and being fair and steady accross the board.

let me put it this way.. young players probably have a greater tolerance in that they dont "know" how to recognize BS from solid coaching.

vets know what is discipline and what is just mindless rules. i think it is easier to have vet players tune out a coach. especially when it is a rookie coach...

[Sweepea436]

Originally Posted by shally

let me put it this way.. young players probably have a greater tolerance in that they dont "know" how to recognize BS from solid coaching.

vets know what is discipline and what is just mindless rules. i think it is easier to have vet players tune out a coach. especially when it is a rookie coach...

So basically they see the difference between "talking and walking"? I'll buy that.

I think he's making it seem more like a game and less like a business again (not MUCH less - considering where they're all playing, lol). Getting treated like a person and not a cog, can go a long way.

[shally]

Originally Posted by Sweepea436

So basically they see the difference between "talking and walking"? I'll buy that.

I think he's making it seem more like a game and less like a business again (not MUCH less - considering where they're all playing, lol). Getting treated like a person and not a cog, can go a long way.

i think that is why the giants had so much trouble with coughlin before the end of last year.. the older veterans such as tiki, most likely rolled their eyes at coughlins act, whereas the younger players bought into it..

that might explain why the giants have gotten better the more the younger players were incorporated into the team..

[guess88]

Originally Posted by redskin_rich

The same reason that retreads like Norv, Bum's son, both Mora's, etc keep getting jobs -- There is a serious lack of cojones in the NFL front offices.

Agreed x1000000. Some are afraid to gamble on an unknown, so they'll take a familiar name with and believe in the excuses of not having the right players, not having the right amount of control, bad luck, what have you. Ironically, in trying to be safe by signing a former HC, they actually take a bigger risk, because often times, bad head coaches are just bad head coaches, (ie. Norv Turner) and they're doomed to fail anyway.

I have a feeling Zorn was passed over cause he was such as good QB coach, he became typecast for the position. People hate to take someone out of an element they already excel in, to try them in others. Another reason could be cause of his quirky personality. I love the dude cause of his quirks (and winning helps), but he really doesn't come off hardnosed football coach. He seems more philosophical and inspiring, than drill sargeant. We're quite lucky to have found him.

[shally]

Originally Posted by guess88

Agreed x1000000. Some are afraid to gamble on an unknown, so they'll take a familiar name with and believe in the excuses of not having the right players, not having the right amount of control, bad luck, what have you. Ironically, in trying to be safe by signing a former HC, they actually take a bigger risk, because often times, bad head coaches are just bad head coaches, (ie. Norv Turner) and they're doomed to fail anyway.

I have a feeling Zorn was passed over cause he was such as good QB coach, he became typecast for the position. People hate to take someone out of an element they already excel in, to try them in others. Another reason could be cause of his quirky personality. I love the dude cause of his quirks (and winning helps), but he really doesn't come off hardnosed football coach. He seems more philosophical and inspiring, than drill sargeant. We're quite lucky to have found him.

look how long it took gary kubiak to get a HC position ?

houston is still struggling with him, however...

[cal_junior]

Let's not forget that Zorn has walked into a pretty good situation in Washington -- good staff, great defense, franchise RB, solid O-line, etc.

As good as Zorn has been this season, I wonder how long he would last in Oakland.