Trust Issues Affect More Than Politicians In The Nation's Capital

As the country is swept up in the turmoil of election season, people everywhere are determined to discover who they can trust; who they can rely on when times are tight. This turbulent period is not much different for the Washington Redskins.

The Skins are first hand witnesses to the election season being as they reside right on the doorstep of Capital Hill. Jim Zorn must learn quickly because not only has he been a smashing success in his first half-season as head coach, he has also learned how to be suspicious of those around him much like a DC politician.

Jason Campbell completed 23-28 passes for over 300 yards the other day. However, for the third straight game Zorn seemed to be averse from letting him go downfield or make a big third down throw.

The game against the Cowboys proved that Campbell has the ability to throw for touchdowns inside the ten. And yet the best Zorn could design with Chris Cooley, Antwaan Randle El, and Santana Moss was a shovel pass to Clinton Portis on third and goal from the ten?

In the Browns, Zorn seemed averse from even letting Campbell throw. Portis is playing some of the best ball in his career, but that doesn't mean the offense should run, run, pass every drive. When you have the 11th ranked passing game (with no interceptions) and the 5th ranked running game, you can mix the plays up to your heart's content.

Jim Zorn doesn't seem to realize that his offense is that good because he seems happy with keeping Campbell as uninvolved as possible sometimes. Against the Lions, Campbell was 5-5 on the team's first drive. However, he ran a pitch play to Portis inside the ten to the side where Chris Samuels was missing.

To me, Zorn needs to hit them while their down. When his offense carves through a defense he needs to go for the throat. Pound Portis up the middle where the blocking is the best; have Campbell let it rip. There's no need for trickery when there are that many weapons on the field. Just mix up who gets the ball and run what you run the best. Pitches and shovel passes aren't staples of this playbook.

Zorn might be overthinking, but then again he might just not trust Campbell at times. He needs to get over that issue. Campbell has yet to throw a pick in eight games. He has thrown for over 300 yards twice. He has one of the best receivers in the game, one of the best tight ends in the game, and the best running back in the game. He'll fumble the ball occasionally, when the line is missing a starter, but that wasn't to blame for the three or four other drives in which poor playcalling, penalties, or drops killed them.

Yes I am thrilled with the success and Zorn's performance as a whole, but if he wants to make it deep into the postseason, he must place his trust in Jason Campbell to lead the offense.

Vote Campbell in '08.