Dec 11th 2008 11:32AM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Redskins, NFC East, NFL CoachingI honestly believe that most Redskins fans don’t really know what they think about Jim Zorn. I know I don’t. He was a total surprise as the hire for the head coaching position. His first NFL game was horrible, but he then led his team to a 6-2 mark. Since then, Washington has lost four of five and are spiraling out of control.

He can be blamed for the playcalling, blamed for being in over his head, blamed for his brash style and blamed for not being Joe Gibbs.

The recent tift with Clinton Portis has rubbed many the wrong way. This marks the second time that Portis has publicly complained about Zorn. Zorn needs to watch it. Portis is a fan favorite and the biggest Redskins fan there is just happens to own the team. Daniel Snyder loves Clinton Portis and Zorn needs to remember that.

Not to say that a coach can’t do something that isn’t popular to his team if they need it. But Zorn’s “benching” of Portis was very troubling. I mean, this is a guy who was one of the favorites to win the MVP award this season. I say was because his production has gone down and he’s dragged the team down with him.

This isn’t to say that Zorn was wrong.Continue Reading

Dec 11th 2008 2:15PM by Ryan Wilson (author feed)
Filed under: Redskins, NFC East, NFL Fans, NFL CoachingGiven his “village idiot” routine on , it’s easy to forget that Tony Kornheiser was once one of the country’s best sportswriters. He’s still very good as the yin to Willybuns’ yang on , which is why it’s all the more difficult to reconcile Mr. Tony’s MNF act.

If you’re in the mood for some old-school Kornheiser, you’re in luck. He has an interesting take on the whole “Portis calling Zorn a ‘genius’” dust up (it’s the first four minutes of the video, but if you can’t be bothered to click the “play” button, I’ve transcribed the best parts below, lazy savages.)

“If you’re going to be a leader, you have to make sure Clinton Portis and Jim Zorn aren’t smashing each other — make sure the locker room doesn’t split over this issue.

“To be a leader, you’ve got to make sure that Clinton Portis knows — not that you’re usurping anything from him — but that he’s got to answer to you a little bit also because you’re in this together. And I’m not going to say this is critical for Jason Campbell … but it’s going to go a long way in showing what kind of leader he is, the way he begins to broker this deal.

“Clinton Portis is the most important player on his offensive team, and Jim Zorn is the most important person in his life at the moment. So I think … this because a test of the leadership of Jason Campbell.”

Dec 12th 2008 5:30AM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Redskins, NFC EastYou want the best drama? Forget TNT, FX, HBO or Showtime. Just keep tabs on the four teams that comprise the NFC East.

Many people feel the NFC East is the best division in the NFL (the NFC South may disagree with that). There is no debate that the division leads the league in controversies this year.

Where do we start with the Dallas Cowboys? Whether it’s Pacman Jones, Tony Romo’s injury, or Jerry Jones’ and Terrell Owens’ mouths, the team has always been in the news. This week alone has featured everyone dumping on Romo after his game-losing interception on Sunday, Jerry Jones calling out Marion Barber’s toughness, Pacman’s neck injury in his first game back after his suspension and now the news that T.O. is jealous of the Romo-Jason Witten power couple (is it “Romitten”?).

Oh yeah, this was supposed to be the hands-down best team in the NFC this season. Now they are staring at the team that has taken that title … the New York Giants … in a game that the Cowboys really, really need to win. Just imagine an offseason in Dallas if the team fails to make the playoffs.
Continue Reading

Dec 9th 2008 12:41PM by Ryan Wilson (author feed)
Filed under: Ravens, Redskins, AFC North, NFC East, NFL Fans
The Redskins have dropped four of their last five games, and at 7-6, they’ll need to win out to even have a shot at the postseason. There are plenty of reasons for the slide, although the most popular is the inconsistent play of quarterback Jason Campbell.

It comes with the job, but the injuries along the offensive line certainly haven’t helped Campbell’s play. And that was never more evident than Sunday night against the Ravens. Campbell was under pressure all evening, which is what happens when you’re without your starting right tackle, and your left tackle goes down midway through the game.Continue Reading

Dec 9th 2008 4:45PM by Ryan Wilson (author feed)
Filed under: Dolphins, Redskins, AFC EastExpectations were understandably low for the 2008 Dolphins, an outfit that managed a tidy 1-15 record a year ago. In fact, this summer predicted there was just a seven percent chance that Miami would win more than eight games this season.

Yet here we are; with three weeks to go, not only are the Dolphins in great shape to win at least nine times, they’re legit contenders for the AFC East title. But it gets better: it looks like they’ll be getting a second-round pick for unloading Jason Taylor on the Redskins this summer.

At the time, Washington made the move because they needed defensive line help (and because Danny Snyder can’t not make a deal for a big-name player). Taylor’s struggled with injuries for most of the season and has been ineffective as a result (that’s the excuse I’m going with, anyway).

So in addition to a mid-round pick in the second round of the upcoming draft, there’s this, courtesy of the ’s Ethan Skolnick. Who would have guessed before the season that the Dolphins would be in better position to make the playoffs after 13 games than Taylor (Redskins), Zach Thomas (Cowboys) or Chris Chambers (Chargers)? Or that the season may come down to a Meadowlands field goal by Jay Feely, against the Dolphins? Pretty amazing, actually. I know the Falcons have had a remarkable season, but Tony Sparano is getting my imaginary Coach of the Year vote.

Dec 9th 2008 5:20PM by Ryan Wilson (author feed)
Filed under: Redskins, NFC East, NFL Fans, NFL Injuries, NFL CoachingYesterday I mentioned that Clinton Portis had no idea why he was benched midway through Sunday night’s Ravens game, and today we have Portis, making his weekly John Thompson Show radio appearance, unloading on first-year head coach Jim Zorn.

Sports Bog’s Dan Steinberg kindly transcribed the best parts, with perhaps none better than this: [When asked what adjustments should be made, Portis responded:] “We got a genius for a head coach, I don’t know, I’m sure he on top of things. He’s got everything figured out. Hey, that’s up to him. All I can do is when he calls a play is go out and try to execute to the best of my ability.” Yeah, I’m pretty sure Portis was being facetious with the “genius” comment, there. Later in the day, Zorn responded to Portis’ claim that he was benched (but, oddly, didn’t comment on the enormity of his brain): “Well, any time you don’t go in, that’s the way you feel … And he is a big part of our offense and he’s sitting on the bench, he’s got to feel like he’s benched, I don’t blame him for that.” That explanation’s sure to placate Portis. That’s not to say a coach’s job is to keep his player’s happy — that’s probably the quickest way to lose your job (but you’ll have so many more friends!) — just to point out that maybe benching your best player for mealy-mouthed reasons isn’t such a swell idea.Continue Reading

Dec 10th 2008 2:14AM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Redskins, NFC East, NFL InjuriesWashington Redskins Pro-Bowl left tackle Chris Samuels has been placed on injured reserve and will miss the rest of the season.Samuels will require surgery after tearing his right triceps in the fourth quarter of the 24-10 loss. Also placed on injured reserve was offensive lineman Justin Geisinger, who sustained a meniscus injury in his left knee while serving as an emergency fill-in for Samuels and injured right tackle Jon Jansen.

Jansen, who sprained a ligament in his left knee in the fourth quarter, remains on the active roster, although it remains unclear whether he will be able to play again this season. Stephon Heyer and Jason Fabini are expected to start at tackle Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.The Redskins stayed busy yesterday. They added tackle Devin Clark from the practice squad and signed former Panthers and Jets guard Will Montgomery. Washington also released defensive end Erasmus James.

All this is great news for quarterback Jason Campbell and his blind side. Not that the side he could see was doing any better.

Dec 10th 2008 11:00AM by Ryan Wilson (author feed)
Filed under: Redskins, NFC East, NFL Fans, NFL Coaching, NFL Rumors
Apparently Clinton Portis isn’t the only person fed up with first-year head coach Jim Zorn. Redskins fans have had enough, too, it seems. So, naturally, with three games left in the season and Washington, after a 6-2 start, now staring at 7-6 and very slim playoff hopes, the discussion has turned to … who should replace Zorn.

Makes sense.

The ’s Rick Snider writes that Zorn “may be vying for his job over the final three games,” which, frankly, sounds like a huge stretch, although owner Dan Snyder has a history of impetuousness.Continue Reading

Dec 8th 2008 5:55PM by Ryan Wilson (author feed)
Filed under: Redskins, NFC East, NFL Fans, NFL Injuries, NFL CoachingSix weeks ago, the Redskins were 6-2. Now they’re 7-6 and face very long odds to back into a wild-card spot. Mounting injuries, a porous offensive line, few big-play threats, and a struggling quarterback all compound the problem. Also probably not helping: benching Clinton Portis.

Easily the team’s best, most consistent player, Portis has been battling nicks, bruises and general malaise for most of the season, and last night, he found himself on the sidelines watching the Redskins lose. Again. Portis, however, intimated he was benched by head coach and play-caller Jim Zorn in favor of backup Ladell Betts. Because Portis didn’t practice this week, Zorn said, the Redskins weren’t not going to lean as heavily on him on third downs and in pass protection.

“There ain’t nothing wrong with me,” Portis said. And that’s apparently what happened, although it was news to Portis.Continue Reading

Dec 7th 2008 8:15PM by Shane Bacon (author feed)
Filed under: Ravens, Redskins, AFC North, NFC East
Lucky for us, the NFL has been working out, allowing them to FLEX a little bit this evening.

Tonight, Joe Flacco and his posse of unexpected heroes arrive at home with their 8-4 record to play Jason Campbell, Clinton Portis and a group of ‘Skins in desperate need of a win.

It is the battle of Interstate-95, and the usual band of FanHousers will be around to try and make it a touch more entertaining.

Come join the party, which begins at 8:15 EST. Be careful while chatting because there will be mistletoe.Continue Reading