Does Sherman Lewis hiring signal Zorn's ouster? Signal Holmgren in DC?

Were you really startled by the hiring of Sherman Lewis as ‘offensive consultant’?  I know I wasn’t.  In 1999, the Daniel Snyder did the same thing, bringing in Bill Arnsparger to be ‘consultant’.    It is usually a sign of complete lack of confidence in your head coach and a preview of a coaching change.  

This really is no different.

There is no doubt that Jim Zorn is and has been on the hot seat since Washington’s unimpressive 9-7 struggle over the St. Louis Rams the second week of the season.  That game specifically signaled major offensive problems — the inability to effectively run the ball, absence of any significant passing game, a weak offensive line, and two possible second round draft busts at wide receiver.  But even more so, the play calling of HC Jim Zorn came under intense scrutiny.  But we certainly agree with John Pappas at Warpath Confidential.  This is a Snyder thumbs down for confidence in Zorn.

“The Redskins contacted me and told me they wanted a fresh set of eyes, and I intend to provide just that,” Lewis said.

Frankly, this means Snyder has zero faith in Zorn just as he had no faith in Nolan. It’s a pink slip in the making.

Catch the discussion at BGObsession.com

Is Greg Blache ready to take over?

Word today, at least from Dan Steinberg’s Twitter account at the Washington Post, is there may be a plan in place.  Really.  Dan Snyder have a plan in place?  Yes.  As long as it does not include fixing the offensive line, Snyder will do it.  According to League sources, should Zorn not be able to upright a sinking offense within two weeks, he will be fired and replaced by DC Greg Blache with Sherman Lewis taking over all offensive play calling.  

Picture becoming clearer?  Zorn is on life support and the ultimate decision on turning the machine off is nearing.  Sherman Lewis is a signal that the machine may very well be flipped off, sooner rather than later. 

Is this a deeper precursor? 

Some out there think so.  I do as well.  I think this may very well also signal the Redskins possible intention to lure in Mike Holmgren to be the Redskins next side line boss.  Lewis was Holmgren’s offensive coordinator in Green Bay from 1992-99.  Could this be a re-union in the making?  More than likely. 

The looming question for the offseason will be — will Holmgren be willing to step into a dysfunctional franchise as it remains now, complete, and utter ineptitude in the front office?

Final thoughts

Has Jim Zorn’s play calling been poor?  Yes. 

Listen, Zorn was a position coach with the Seahawks.  That is as high as he went.  He never called an NFL offensive game plan.  Never had to be the signal caller attacking an NFL defense.  Despite the obvious lack of real NFL experience, Snyder made the hire anyway, knowing Zorn’s inexperience in play calling, knowing Zorn’s intention to call offensive plays. 

Why do you think this decision to replace Zorn is so difficult?  Snyder put what little of his reputation he had, on the line, with a high risk head coaching hire.  Maybe he thought he was plucking a future Joe Gibbs.  In any regard, it is a deeper sign of the really troubling and dysfunctional decision making process at Redskins Park.  

Our contention here remains the same.  The Redskins can bring in whatever consultants they want, whatever head coaches they want, but nothing, nothing will improve or change until the failed and flawed front office structure changes. 

Dan Snyder and Vinny Cerrato (Snyderrato) hired Jim Zorn.  Snyderrato has consistently  ignored the offensive line with just one draft pick in the top 2 rounds since 2000, despite the glaring needs and rapidly aging status of a less than average offensive line.  Snyderrato has flopped in 2nd to 5th round draft picks.  Snyderrato has traded away draft picks.  Snyderrato laid out big money for either over-aged, past prime free agents or free agents in positions where the Redskins don’t have big positional needs.  Snyderrato created the unpassionate, unenthusiastic atmosphere surrounding the absent character of a team.  This franchise is often labeled a franchise where free agents come for sweet pay days and nothing more.  They play like it too.  This is the Snyderrato culture that has gripped a once proud franchise. 

Until that changes, count on continued mediocrity.  No matter what ‘consultants” are hired.