THE THREE PROBLEMS ANALYSIS II: JIM ZORN
Good luck trying to slalom through that pile of Lombardis that Danny boy always brings out to every news conference Jim Zorn. My goodness you are going to need it. Another expected loss to Dallas brings your record to 11-15. Like Campbell, I shall give Jim Zorn a short sentence of my analysis, except this one is in a different tone.
He has no balls.
I didn't even need to see the 2009 season to know this. This was written in stone ever since he couldn't control the Dan Snyder puppet of all Dan Snyder puppets in Clinton Portis. After Portis sarcastically threw Zorn under the bus in an embarrasing loss to a Ryan Fitzgerald and out-of-form Ocho Cinco led Bengals, what did Jim Zorn do to retaliate? He talked to Portis to set the records straight. No Fine. No Suspension. We certainly can't do that because he was our best player. The result: Clinton Portis has not been the same since and is looking to cash in $10 million starting in 2010 for the next four years. Veterans are only meeting 2 out of the 3 training camp practices a day and curfue is optional. That has leadership qualities in a potential super bowl winning head coach written all over it.
Next, the tactics. You can say whatever you want about Sherm Lewis, but the offense is still run by Zorn since that's what the offense is used to. At the end of the day, the offense will either be:
a. flat out confused
b. lacking any talent what so ever(25% Zorn's fault) or
c. because of a and b, a damage limitation offense once they enter the red zone.
The west coast is meant to be a fun, free flowing, quick offense that should relax the backfield and scare daylights out of opposing linebackers and secondary. Even coming in and greeting a 1980s classic shove the ball down people's throats offense, Zorn still had the chance to revolutionize the league by incorporating Portis' talents. Heck, we could have taught the Eagles what a running game in a west coast offense is supposed to be used. Even Zorn could have found anything to let the newbies like Devin "God's Gift"(named after a tattoo by Penn State Tight End Andrew Quarless) Thomas, Malcolm "Bad Knees" Kelly and Fred "Sleepy" Davis get involved. Instead, Zorn stayed the course and gave the players no direction what to do once they are in the redzone.
Finally, the piece to resistance. As one karate instructor used to tell me, "Being a black belt is being a master of the basics." In the NFL, being a professional football player to your prime is the exact same thing. It is unbelievably easy, yet unbelievably complicated too. It is getting the blocks, routes, throws, jukes and especially tackles at the exact spot everytime. Unfortunately, it is getting appalingly obvious every game that the basics are not emphasized in Ashburn, Virginia since 2008. If that was true, DeAngelo Hall would be a more complete NFL corner. Jason Campbell can be able to throw the 50-50 ball. And most importantly, not only can draft picks and UFAs live to their potential, but exceed them as well.
This is why I am shockingly glad Portis, Cooley and others are hurt. This acutally forces Zorn to really find the real gems of this football team. Find the guys in the locker room that know what hard work, dedication, and going through adversity and thus wanting it more really means inside. You signed local boy Marcus Mason....use him! Edwin Williams and all those in the University of Maryland pact...use them! You made Mike Williams become American Sports' answer to "The Biggest Loser" for a reason...use him! The supposed bust that has never played in the NFL...he was drafted...use him!
If only not just Jim Zorn but the man from the heavens running Six Flags and Red Zebra Radio can turn down the volume and listen to this advice as well.
Up next, the final part of the three problems analysis trilogy...Dan Snyder. Look out my friends, this could outduel War and Piece in page length.
Q&A
"Replace Campbell with Alex Smith and I can completely relate."
-The Mullet
A very curious statement Mullet.
In the beginning, I flat out disagreed. Let's call it for what it is, he is the #1 pick in the 2005 draft. It is like my Wizards drafting Kwame Brown in 2001. Yes, he'll have big games here and their, but he better do it 24-7 to prove he is better than guys like Tyson Chandler from that draft class. So you're telling me he is outdoing Aaron Rodgers right now? It's the same pressure Matthew Stafford is getting in Detroit this year; having to prove that they were right in taking him instead of Mark Sanchez.
Even excluding that, 2009 has so far been Alex Smith's only year where his QB rating is in the 80s. 2006 was the closest season to where he could have blossomed, but clearly he had typical gigantic growing pains for a young QB. I feel like Campbell is different because I can not remember a game where his numbers made Jeff George post 2000 look like Johnny Unitas. With all due respect to Alex Smith, Campbell also never had a game where he lead a team to a 41-0 loss as well.
However, all this stuff could have lead to result of horrific management of the Yorks, Terry Donahue and Mike Nolan. Now Mike Singletary is in bringing a newer face and attitude to the San Francisco locker room. And to top it all off and a reason why Alex Smith could have the edge over Campbell...he's only 25!!! Smith was only in college for 3 years vs. Campbell's 5. So this will really be a "time will tell" response in this debate, but Alex Smith must prove that he can stay consistent and finally show his true colors.
CONCLUSIONS
As mentioned, War and Peace II will come ASAP. Until then, I hope everyone has a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!
Good luck trying to slalom through that pile of Lombardis that Danny boy always brings out to every news conference Jim Zorn. My goodness you are going to need it. Another expected loss to Dallas brings your record to 11-15. Like Campbell, I shall give Jim Zorn a short sentence of my analysis, except this one is in a different tone.
He has no balls.
I didn't even need to see the 2009 season to know this. This was written in stone ever since he couldn't control the Dan Snyder puppet of all Dan Snyder puppets in Clinton Portis. After Portis sarcastically threw Zorn under the bus in an embarrasing loss to a Ryan Fitzgerald and out-of-form Ocho Cinco led Bengals, what did Jim Zorn do to retaliate? He talked to Portis to set the records straight. No Fine. No Suspension. We certainly can't do that because he was our best player. The result: Clinton Portis has not been the same since and is looking to cash in $10 million starting in 2010 for the next four years. Veterans are only meeting 2 out of the 3 training camp practices a day and curfue is optional. That has leadership qualities in a potential super bowl winning head coach written all over it.
Next, the tactics. You can say whatever you want about Sherm Lewis, but the offense is still run by Zorn since that's what the offense is used to. At the end of the day, the offense will either be:
a. flat out confused
b. lacking any talent what so ever(25% Zorn's fault) or
c. because of a and b, a damage limitation offense once they enter the red zone.
The west coast is meant to be a fun, free flowing, quick offense that should relax the backfield and scare daylights out of opposing linebackers and secondary. Even coming in and greeting a 1980s classic shove the ball down people's throats offense, Zorn still had the chance to revolutionize the league by incorporating Portis' talents. Heck, we could have taught the Eagles what a running game in a west coast offense is supposed to be used. Even Zorn could have found anything to let the newbies like Devin "God's Gift"(named after a tattoo by Penn State Tight End Andrew Quarless) Thomas, Malcolm "Bad Knees" Kelly and Fred "Sleepy" Davis get involved. Instead, Zorn stayed the course and gave the players no direction what to do once they are in the redzone.
Finally, the piece to resistance. As one karate instructor used to tell me, "Being a black belt is being a master of the basics." In the NFL, being a professional football player to your prime is the exact same thing. It is unbelievably easy, yet unbelievably complicated too. It is getting the blocks, routes, throws, jukes and especially tackles at the exact spot everytime. Unfortunately, it is getting appalingly obvious every game that the basics are not emphasized in Ashburn, Virginia since 2008. If that was true, DeAngelo Hall would be a more complete NFL corner. Jason Campbell can be able to throw the 50-50 ball. And most importantly, not only can draft picks and UFAs live to their potential, but exceed them as well.
This is why I am shockingly glad Portis, Cooley and others are hurt. This acutally forces Zorn to really find the real gems of this football team. Find the guys in the locker room that know what hard work, dedication, and going through adversity and thus wanting it more really means inside. You signed local boy Marcus Mason....use him! Edwin Williams and all those in the University of Maryland pact...use them! You made Mike Williams become American Sports' answer to "The Biggest Loser" for a reason...use him! The supposed bust that has never played in the NFL...he was drafted...use him!
If only not just Jim Zorn but the man from the heavens running Six Flags and Red Zebra Radio can turn down the volume and listen to this advice as well.
Up next, the final part of the three problems analysis trilogy...Dan Snyder. Look out my friends, this could outduel War and Piece in page length.
Q&A
"Replace Campbell with Alex Smith and I can completely relate."
-The Mullet
A very curious statement Mullet.
In the beginning, I flat out disagreed. Let's call it for what it is, he is the #1 pick in the 2005 draft. It is like my Wizards drafting Kwame Brown in 2001. Yes, he'll have big games here and their, but he better do it 24-7 to prove he is better than guys like Tyson Chandler from that draft class. So you're telling me he is outdoing Aaron Rodgers right now? It's the same pressure Matthew Stafford is getting in Detroit this year; having to prove that they were right in taking him instead of Mark Sanchez.
Even excluding that, 2009 has so far been Alex Smith's only year where his QB rating is in the 80s. 2006 was the closest season to where he could have blossomed, but clearly he had typical gigantic growing pains for a young QB. I feel like Campbell is different because I can not remember a game where his numbers made Jeff George post 2000 look like Johnny Unitas. With all due respect to Alex Smith, Campbell also never had a game where he lead a team to a 41-0 loss as well.
However, all this stuff could have lead to result of horrific management of the Yorks, Terry Donahue and Mike Nolan. Now Mike Singletary is in bringing a newer face and attitude to the San Francisco locker room. And to top it all off and a reason why Alex Smith could have the edge over Campbell...he's only 25!!! Smith was only in college for 3 years vs. Campbell's 5. So this will really be a "time will tell" response in this debate, but Alex Smith must prove that he can stay consistent and finally show his true colors.
CONCLUSIONS
As mentioned, War and Peace II will come ASAP. Until then, I hope everyone has a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!
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