Washington Redskins: Recent Coaching Moves

Gregg Williams is an exceptionally knowledgeable football coach who cared a great deal about the Redskins. Unfortunately for him, his stint with Washington didn't end with a bang, but instead with a whimper, when on Saturday afternoon the team announced that he had been released from his coaching duties.

To me, it seems like Gregg Williams should be the next head coach of the Skins, but so much for that idea. What can be said in terms of first impressions of Saturday's moves?

In naming Greg Blache to lead the team's defense and Jim Zorn as his counterpart on offense, the Redskins have opted for continuity on the one hand and a possible drastic change on the other.

Blache formerly held the title of Defensive Coordinator-Defensive Line with the Redskins. He worked closely with Williams, the team's assistant head coach-defense, and was largely successful in merging veteran players with energetic, unproven rookies. 

It is a very different scenario for Zorn, who joins the Redskins from Seattle, where for the past seven seasons he served as Quarterbacks Coach. A great figure among Seahawks fans, Zorn helped in the development of Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, a current Pro Bowler.

The Redskins are hoping he can take Jason Campbell on a similar path. It's fair to say that, for the Redskins, the adjustment to Zorn's methods will involve a greater leap, given Seattle's West Coast offensive principles of recent years. Zorn learned his coaching craft under Mike Holmgren, the head coach of the Seahawks.

Getting rid of Al Saunders was the best thing Washington could have done. He consistently called a repetitive game, that contributed to some of the struggles of  Campbell and the Washington offense.

Oddly, when Todd Collins stepped in, Saunders' famous playbook seemed to open up a little. In my opinion, Saunders may have wanted Collins as his starter, given their past time together in Kansas City.

Either way, the 26th head coach for the Washington Redskins won't be known until after the Super Bowl. (Darrell Green I am hoping!)