Changes in Store for Redskins' Playbooks

With training camp on the horizon, Washington Redskins coach Jim Zorn is hard at work, examining his playbooks for 2009.  Although they will be similar to last year, Zorn plans to expand his West Coast offense and incorporate some new wrinkles on defense.

Each season is different from the last, as personnel changes come into play.  But overall, the Redskins have the majority of their starters back.  Meanwhile, the coaching staff will welcome just one new face to its ranks.

In his first season as head coach, Zorn made the executive decision to call his own plays.  When his team jumped out to a 6-2 start, he looked like a genius.  But as the season progressed, opposing coaches hunkered down in their film rooms and cleverly devised ways to defend the Redskins.  The result was a sudden drop-off of production and a 2-6 finish for Washington. 

In 2009, the biggest change in Zorn’s bag of tricks will be to incorporate new weapons into his system, while fine-tuning the skills of fifth-year quarterback Jason Campbell. 

Much of the offense’s woes last year were caused by its inability to score in the red zone. But other glaring weaknesses included the lack of a reliable second wideout and the inexperience of rookies Fred Davis, Malcolm Kelly, and Devin Thomas. 

Kelly deserves a pass because of a knee injury, but Davis and Thomas saw the field in spurts because they could not grasp the playbook.  By the time training camp begins in July, Kelly should be close to 100 percent and Davis and Thomas should be more knowledgeable.

They better be for their sake, because Zorn’s ultimate plan is to start Thomas or Kelly at wide receiver, move Antwaan Randle El to the slot, and utilize Davis at tight end, to free up Chris Cooley.   

New tight ends coach Scott Wachenheim will oversee Davis’ progress, while attempting to fill some very large shoes.  He replaces Rennie Simmons, who retired after 27 seasons in the league, including 18 with the Redskins.  Wachenheim coached tight ends under Zorn when the two were at Utah State in the early 1990s. 

Meanwhile, Zorn will continue to monitor a change in Campbell’s mechanics that should allow him to release the ball faster.  His footwork will be critiqued too, as Zorn looks to integrate more plays that call for three step drops. 

Zorn has confidence that Campbell can take a leap in his quest to be a franchise quarterback.  But with so much talk of finding his replacement in the offseason, this could be the final curtain call for Campbell as a starter in Washington. 

Campbell’s best chance at success will depend on how well his offensive line holds up.  The Redskins will rely on returning starters Chris Samuels, Casey Rabach, and aging veteran Randy Thomas, who is scheduled to return from a neck injury. 

Meanwhile, Washington hopes to plug in the re-signed Derrick Dockery at left guard.  Dockery’s return to Washington comes just two years after the Redskins traded him to Buffalo. 

Another former Bill who could clear holes for running back Clinton Portis is Mike Williams.  The former fourth-overall pick is on a mission to lose weight and return to football after a three-year layoff.  If he cracks the starting lineup, Zorn may add more run plays to the right side.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Redskins are hoping to replicate last year’s impressive showing.  The unit finished fourth in total defense, but could actually improve this year with the additions of Albert Haynesworth and rookie Brian Orakpo. 

In 2008, Washington’s defensive line accounted for just 14 of the Redskins’ 24 sacks.  That should dramatically change this year, as the defensive playbook caters to Haynesworth’s considerable talent. 

During his last two seasons in Tennessee, the Pro Bowl tackle amassed 144 tackles, 14.5 sacks, and 42 quarterback pressures.  Meanwhile, Jevon Kearse, Tony Brown, and Kyle Vanden Bosch wreaked havoc on opposing quarterbacks.  Last year, the three linemates totaled 12 sacks and the Titans allowed the second fewest points in the NFL.

When Orakpo fell to the Redskins in the first round of the draft, nobody was more excited than defensive coordinator Greg Blache.  Orakpo is a physical specimen with outstanding quickness and can play defensive end or linebacker.  He will get the green light from Blache to create pressure and is flexible enough to line up anywhere on the field.

In the meantime, linebackers such as London Fletcher should be able to dominate the middle and outer edges, which will help stifle short passing routes.

Improvements in the defensive backfield are also expected.  The Redskins finished near the bottom of the league in turnovers last year with just 18, but they will get a boost with the return of a healthy Carlos Rogers.

Fellow cornerback DeAngelo Hall should also make a difference after receiving a contract extension.  But the most important men in the mix might be Chris Horton and LaRon Landry, who should be able to attack the ball more often to create take-a-ways. 

If turnovers improve, Washington’s secondary will bask in the glory, but they will have Haynesworth and Orakpo to thank for it.