Pundits on the Redskins (11/16/09)

The Washington Redskins ended their 4 game losing skid yesterday upending the Denver Broncos at FEDEX Field 27-17.   I doubt there were many in football pools, pick’em contests, etc… that had the then 2-6 Redskins beating the then 6-2 Broncos, at least outside the Redskins fan base.    But, the Redskins did it with good defense late int he game, a potent Portis-less rushing attack of Ladell Betts and Rock Cartwright, and good run blocking by a battered and patch-worked offensive line.

So what are the pundits saying Monday morning?  Any credit to the Redskins or is it just bad words from the Broncos?    Here you go, the words of the pundits in one place.

Clark Judge, CBS Sportsline

Sherm Lewis deserves the curtain call, but let’s hear it for the beleaguered head coach, too. The most decisive call in Washington’s win was the fake field goal, and guess who made it? Jim Zorn, come on down. He had the play installed in practice last week. “When I played,” he said, “those plays made a difference.” They still do.

From Ed Sheahin in Washington …Tackle Levi Jones and guard Derrick Dockery didn’t just look as if they were in synch; they dominated the left side of the line, allowing Ladell Betts to run all over Denver.

Nice praise from Judge on Jim Zorn.  And he is right.  If we and the media are going to trash Zorn when he rightfully deserves it, we give him praise when he deserves it.   Is it too late for Jim Zorn to blossom into a head coach, and I do not mean a play calling one?  No.  But in DC, pretty much, yes, it is too late.

John Clayton, ESPN

The Broncos’ three-game losing streak apparently has coach Josh McDaniels a little out of sorts. He opened his postgame news conference by congratulating “the Chargers and Jim Zorn.”

Zorn benched cornerback Carlos Rogers after he blew a coverage in the first series of the Redskins’ 27-17 victory over the Broncos. Giving up that touchdown pass to Brandon Marshall ended his game

And here is Len Pasquarelli on the sliding downward Denver Broncos.  [Read more →]