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First-year head coach Jim Zorn should be pleased with what he saw in his team’s first action in the preseason. The Washington Redskins defeated the Indianapolis Colts by a two touchdown margin, 30-16 in Sunday Night’s NFL Hall of Fame Game...

Jim Zorn's Era with the Washington Redskins Begins with a Win

by Craig Garrison Sr (Columnist)

29

2,426 reads

Game Recap

August 04, 2008


First-year head coach Jim Zorn should be pleased with what he saw in his team’s first action in the preseason. The Washington Redskins defeated the Indianapolis Colts by a two touchdown margin, 30-16 in Sunday Night’s NFL Hall of Fame Game.

The Hall of Fame Game opens the preseason each year, and the Redskins have had success playing in the event, with a 5-0 all-time record.

Quarterback Jason Campbell showed his coach that he has been listening and learning. Campbell was sharp and decisive, just as he has in training camp. With five completions in five attempts and a touchdown for 61 yards and no interceptions, Campbell solidified his status as the team’s starting quarter back.

If nothing else, Zorn’s quarterbacks showed the world he can coach them well. No. 2 quarterback Todd Collins was an efficient five for six with no interceptions, while popular rookie Colt Brennan was even more impressive in his first-ever action in the pros. Brennan went nine of 10 for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Making several plays when his protection broke down, Brennan looked unflappable.

On offense, Zorn was able to play most of his projected starters together. With the most notable exception being running back Clinton Portis, the starters were in for 10 plays. Zorn had said before the game that he wanted his starters to get 10-15 plays on offense, and he accomplished that.

The Redskins' defense looked nothing like they hope to look come opening day. With eight of the projected starters not playing in the game at all, the Redskins' defense did not show well against the Colts' “starting” offense.

The Colts, of course, also did not play many starters. Star quarterback Peyton Manning, and starting wide receiver Marvin Harrison did not play, but backup Jim Sorgi played well, going seven for 10 for 66 yards in the Colts' 16-play opening drive.

The drive only produced a field goal, but Colts coaches can feel good about what they saw from their starting group.

There were also no significant injuries during the game, another bonus for both teams. Colts starting running back Joseph Addai left the field with a minor head injury following the second play of the their opening drive, but coach Tony Dungy said he would have returned if it had been a regular-season game.

For the Redskins, second-year offensive tackle Stephon Heyer left the game with a sprained knee, and veteran backup offensive tackle Todd Wade suffered a sprained ankle. Neither injury was considered to be serious.

For both teams, a relatively successful start to the 2008 season, but for the Redskins and head coach Jim Zorn, this was a superb way to start a new era of Redskins football. The Zorn era.

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29 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. bendernet bender 11 months ago

    Play Colt Brennan again. That kid looks great!

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  2. Craig Garrison Sr 11 months ago

    He played very well, the future looks bright at the QB spot for the Skins for sure!

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  3. Tanner Kluth 11 months ago

    Colt did look great. However, he needs to play against a first string defense before we jump to saying he's great.

    Zorn has already expressed that he will remain the number three quarterback.

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  4. Jack Anderson 11 months ago

    It's one preseason game. Tanner is completely right. Btw Jason Campbell played well too. He's the future.

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  5. Craig Garrison Sr 11 months ago

    Like I said, Brennan played well, the future looks great for the Skins at the position considering the reality that if Campbell gets hurt next year or the following year, it seems that Brennan might be able to fill in very nicely. It also could mean no need to keep Collins on the roster next year, eating up more cap space.

    Campbell is the Skins quarterback of the future, PERIOD. And I will be shocked if he doesn't lead us to being a contender consistently, I have been beating his drum for 2 years. But Brennan turning out to be a worthwhile player would be VALUABLE to this franchise, and would greatly validate Cerrato and Snyder.

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  6. Jack Anderson 11 months ago

    Definitely. I hope we just win games you know :)

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  7. Mike in Maine 11 months ago

    It doesn't matter if the 'Skins go 2 and 14, as long as we BEAT DALLAS twice !! Thats a good year !!!!

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  8. Jack Anderson 11 months ago

    1000 plus reads Craig congrats!

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  9. Craig Garrison Sr 11 months ago

    Yeah man, 1500 now, wow, I think that's my biggest number so far. Cool. I hope I can make it worth everyone's while.

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  10. Jennifer Johnson 11 months ago

    I would add beating Dallas twice and winning the Super Bowl as the culmination of a fantastic year.

    Very efficient play calling from JZ. Couldn't be happier with the smooth transition from the run it up the middle, throw on 3rd down because we have to throw sometime style under Coach Gibbs, to the high octane West Coast offense that will be our trademark from now on.

    Was it me or did Jason look like a quarterback that has found his comfort zone? Completing all 5 pass attempts to finish at a 157 passer rating... like a dream start that hopefully continues into the regular season. Kelli Johnson of Comcast SportsNet said it before the game started. " The best case sceario for Jason would be to take the team on his first drive and score a touchdown and call it a night."

    Mission accomplished. :)

    1st team defense looked shaky at best. Good outside linebacker play from Marcus Washington, but other than that the starters couldn't muster much of a pass rush or tackle anybody on the first hit. I maintain cornerback will be a problem this year.

    I hope we don't have to outscore opponents this year in order to win. A couple guys playing their way on the team are Marcus Mason and Chris Horton. Keep up the hard work gentleman.

    Go skins!!!!

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    • Tanner Kluth 11 months ago

      Jen, on the defense, Landry, Fletcher, Blades, Taylor, Carter, and McIntosh didn't play. The first defense didn't play well because it wasn't the first defense.

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    • Tanner Kluth 11 months ago

      Our defense will EASILY be top ten, and I think there's a good chance for top five.

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    • Craig Garrison Sr 11 months ago

      Also, not ONE SINGLE D-LINEMAN who is slated to start played last night either. That will make a big difference. When you consider that was the Colts starting O-Line against our 2nd, 3rd, 4th and NO team defensive line, it's not so bad.

      I agree, as I have written over and over again, the corner back is a concern. I also am a bit concerned about the linebacker depth, there has been good word out of camp on both fronts, but I am not yet convinced.

      And yes, Horton has played well, and McMullen will make the WR decisions very difficult for the staff. Rinehart also looks like quite a pick. The entire draft class could honestly make the team(perhaps one or two on the practice squad), WOW, would that be something.

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    • Craig Garrison Jr 11 months ago

      I agree with Tanner and Craig. When all our weapons get on the field, we could easily get top 3 defense in the league

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  11. Craig Garrison Sr 11 months ago

    UPDATES!!!

    Kelly had arthroscopic knee surgery today, out at lest 2 weeks.

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  12. James Gray 11 months ago

    Great article Craig, yours are always a pleasure to read

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  13. Jennifer Johnson 11 months ago

    Guys,

    When we are playing 10 yards off the ball, it won't matter if Landry, Fletcher, Carter or Taylor are penciled in the lineup. It just worries me to see that the positioning seems exactly like it was last year, a la the Gregg Williams bend but not break defense. More so in the secondary. Smoot isn't the best cover guy, and if he's going to drop sure int's than what do we with him?

    My point is that come the regular season I don't want excuses, I want execution. Like my husband says, I am on the fence until the clock reaches zero. We did have our starting corners in there. I know that were in the top 10 last year in run defense. And now with Taylor at left end, opponents will have to choose whether to double team #55 or #99. It's nitpicking but if we continue to try and make up ground and not get that initial bump on these receiver's than we are doomed to rely on our offense to outscore the other guys.

    Very happy with Campbell's poise. Brennan was equally efficient and I hope he continues to improve and maybe supplant Collins as our #2 QB.

    Always love my skins, but I don't want to kid myself into thinking we've won anything yet.

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    • Craig Garrison Sr 11 months ago

      absolutely Jennifer, and I agree. But keep in mind that with NO STARTING D-LINEMEN in the game last night, the corners would have been playing a more conservative style to prevent giving up the big play, which just so happened worked out early on. The Colts marched right down field but couldn't get it in the end zone. Once there is a pass rush(and Zorn noted the lack of a pass rush) the corners will be able to play bump and run rather than playing off the WRs.

      Stay patient, it'll be ok. They haven't won anything yet, but Zorn is trying to build something good here, and I for one, am optimistic of his chances of accomplishing his goals.

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  14. Trevor Hoffman 11 months ago

    In this day and age, every NFL team needs at least 3 QBs on the roster the way players hit and accounting for freak accidents and injuries. Also, once one is down and you are left with 2 QBs, certain game situations may quickly mean the No. 3 has to go from the pan to the fire, and if that's the case, looks like Washington may have a phenom waiting in the wings. It could be interesting...

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    • Craig Garrison Sr 11 months ago

      I couldn't agree more Trevor, hence my comment earlier that the "future at the QB position looks very bright for the Redskins". Brennan may never start a single game for the Skins, but looking impressive in preseason games makes him a valuable commodity on the trade market in a couple of years. Much like Matt Schaube most recently, he could easily bring a decent price in a trade for the Skins, which just makes things even better.

      Personally, I hope we never see him even get close to a regular season start and Campbell is the man for the next 10 or so years. But, hey, good backups who also don't eat much of the salary cap are very things to have.

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  15. Joy Kuykendall 11 months ago

    GO SKINS! im so glad to see they're doing well this year. nice arcticle, Trevor!

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    • Craig Garrison Jr 11 months ago

      not Trevor, Craig, other Craig not me

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    • Vinny Gazzara 11 months ago

      Doing well? They played one game. A PRESEASON GAME! Preseason means nothing, The Giants went 1-3 in the preseason and ended up winning the superbowl.

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    • Craig Garrison Sr 11 months ago

      Chill Vinny, "doing well" isn't just related to the one game, the whole package. Zorn SEEMS to be well in control, the rookies(that so many questioned)played well and SEEM to be handling themselves well. Don't look for the negative just because it's been bad before, optimism is good for your health Vinny, give it a try.

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  1. Jennifer Johnson 11 months ago

    FYI:

    My husband scored tix to the Redskins Rides event this Sunday in Ashburn. Are any bloggers going?

    Special shout out to Craig for his detailed responses and ideas. I appreciate his candor. Working on my next article tonight. Hope to have it published tomorrow.

    I like our rotation of QBs, and Zorn's analysis of Brennan's performance was excellent. His decision making is his weakest link. Talent is there, and mental aptitude is at an accelerated level.

    No one is more important than the other. So if the guys respond well to the new coaching staff, then we fans are the better for it. Its been hard since Jack Kent Cooke passed away. Maybe now we have the chance to build something great.

    Go skins

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  2. Travis Evans 7 months ago

    Brennan

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