In sports, one team's celebration is another's despair. This happens every single game, but sometimes the feelings are more drastic, depending upon circumstances. The big news from Detroit Sunday afternoon was that the Lions won their first game since December of 2007. The ecstasy felt from those in the Lions organization was likely equal to the rage being felt by Washington Redskins' owner Dan Snyder right now. His Redskins were the first team to lose to the Lions in the last 20 games. This was coming off as bad a win as you could imagine -- a 9-7 triumph over the hapless Rams, where the Redskins appeared allergic to the end zone.
Washington head coach Jim Zorn, barring any major turnarounds here in the next few weeks, will likely start to feel a little heat in the seat.
Zorn's an offensive mind, and the offense hasn't produced the points you'd expect against shoddy defenses like the Rams and Lions. In Week 1, the Redskins only scored on a fake field goal and a late tack-on touchdown. In Week 2, they were kept out of the end-zone by a Rams team who has allowed 64 points in their other two games.
Sunday, it was more of the same early. The Lions stuffed the Redskins on the one yard-line early in the game. It was a curious decision by Zorn, considering the score was 0-0 at the time. You have to wonder if he'd let all the talk about them not getting into the end-zone the previous week factored into his decision to go for the touchdown instead of taking the points and the lead. If so, is this really what a head coach should be considering during a game? No matter the reason, the Redskins went into halftime with zero points against a Lions team that had allowed 72 points in the first two weeks of the season.
Things did pick up in the second half a bit -- Jason Campbell ended up with 340 yards and two touchdowns through the air -- but they still only scored 14 points on Detroit's maligned defense.
Most curious was the final play call of the game. The Redskins had the ball on Detroit's 36 yard-line and they went with an underneath route, which morphed into a double hook-and-ladder. It appeared the play was intended to be a hook-and-ladder to Antwaan Randle El. The play began on the 36, though. Did Zorn seriously not think Campbell could loft one into the end-zone -- for the win -- from about 45 yards away (after his drop)? Why do the 'Skins even bother to employ 6-foot-4 Malcolm Kelly if not to use him on a play like this?
If nothing else, Zorn's gonna get killed in the DC-area media and talk radio shows this coming week for play selection (again).
There hasn't been word yet from Redskins brass on Zorn's job status, but they likely won't fire him just yet. It's only been three weeks. Still, we know Snyder isn't exactly scared to axe coaches and then pay big money for a new one. With names like Mike Holmgren, Bill Cowher, Mike Shanahan and Jon Gruden sitting on the scrap heap for next season, Zorn's gotta be getting a little hot under the collar -- even if the Redskins haven't even played a quarter of their schedule.
As we mentioned in the headline, it's probably not a bad idea for Zorn to get that resume together. You know, just in case.
Washington Redskins Photos
Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz celebrates a touchdown against the Washington Redskins during second-half action, Sunday, September 27, 2009, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Kirthmon F. Dozier/Detroit Free Press/MCT)
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Detroit Lions team president Tom Lewand hugs quarterback Matthew Stafford after their 19-14 win over the Washington Redskins, Sunday, September 27, 2009, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Julian H. Gonzalez/Detroit Free Press/MCT)
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The Lions' Calvin Johnson celebrates with fans after Detroit's 19-14 win over the Washington Redskins, Sunday, September 27, 2009, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Kirthmon F. Dozier/Detroit Free Press/MCT)
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The Lions' Calvin Johnson celebrates with fans after Detroit's 19-14 win over the Washington Redskins, Sunday, September 27, 2009, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Julian H. Gonzalez/Detroit Free Press/MCT)
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Washington Redskins defensive lineman Lorenzo Alexander (79) and defensive end Brian Orakpo watch from the bench during the closing minutes of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
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Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford saluted the crowd the Lions defeated the Washington Redskins 19-14, Sunday, September 27, 2009, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Julian H. Gonzalez/Detroit Free Press/MCT)
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Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford runs for first down against the Washington Redskins in the first quarter of an NFL football game. The Lions defeated the Redskins 19-14, Sunday, September 27, 2009, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Julian H. Gonzalez/Detroit Free Press/MCT)
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Detroit Lions' Bryant Johnson leaps over Washington Redskins' Carlos Rogers for a first quarter touch down in an NFL football game. The Lions defeated the Redskins 19-14, Sunday, September 27, 2009, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Julian H. Gonzalez/Detroit Free Press/MCT)
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Detroit Lions Manny Ramirez and Washington Redskins Albert Haynesworth have words in the second quarter of an NFL football game. The Lions defeated the Redskins 19-14, Sunday, September 27, 2009, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Julian H. Gonzalez/Detroit Free Press/MCT)
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Washington Redskins London Fletcher tackles Detroit Lions running back Kevin Smith in the second quarter of an NFL football game. The Lions defeated the Redskins 19-14, Sunday, September 27, 2009, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Julian H. Gonzalez/Detroit Free Press/MCT)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
9-27-2009 @ 6:32PM
albert said...
im a big skin fan but loosing to the lions is emberassing specialy when u live in texas u just take alot of heat but i think the problem with our boys might be our qb
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9-28-2009 @ 12:23AM
samm said...
jason campbell wen 27-41 with 340 yds 2 tds and 1 int...and your gonna blame him 4 the loss?this loss was because the skins failed 2 get anything goin on the ground game
9-28-2009 @ 2:45PM
alg0717 said...
Campbell's numbers are inflated.....he amassed a lot of that yardage and a td after Lions went into prevent...the bigger issue is that he can't lead this team...he has no emotion, no fire! If I were Zorn, I would try trick plays also, he can't rely on his QB to recognize defenses!
9-27-2009 @ 6:47PM
numberred said...
i have to say though,i thought with zorn as a head coach i thought the redskins would score alot of points!i've been a redskins fan since i was 8yrs old and i'm getting a little pissed off at the play calling in the red zone,if your 4rth and one you dont run to the outside you run up the middle because you have mike sellers to block for you or you play action pass or pitch to portis and have him pass or randel l pass it!as for jason campbell i'd bench his ass and make him think !the redskins ave the tallent so start using it!if i was Dan Snyder i'd think on bringing Mike Shanahan in befoer its to last!
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9-27-2009 @ 6:54PM
numberred said...
the redskins wont live this one down being they lost to the lions,thats pathedick!the lions suck and if the redskins dont get rid of zorn now then it will be a long season for the skins!
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9-27-2009 @ 7:12PM
numberred said...
bring in Shanaham on Cower,there still waiting to get Hired soooooo what are you waiting for Dan Snyder!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
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9-27-2009 @ 7:15PM
numberred said...
hey albert,i agree with you,but you have to say though the play calling in the red zone sucks!you run the ball though the middle not to the out side!
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9-28-2009 @ 1:29PM
Melvin said...
It might be difficult to get either Shanahan or Cowher because these guys want control over personnel and we both know Little Danny boy's ego won't allow for that. Snyder- like Jerry Jones- don't have a clue. Jones was lucky he started out with Jimmy Johnson- but neither Snyder nor Jones has won a playoff game in NINE YEARS. Think Shanahan or Cowher wants to come into a cesspool like that ?? I don't.
9-28-2009 @ 10:26AM
Jayrus said...
I've said since before the season started we must have a change in the HEAD COACHING position!! AND his love for the QB must come to an end also! We have too much talent on this team to continue to produce no offense and very little defense.. God, Snyder.. get a life! and replace Zorn before it's too late!!!
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9-27-2009 @ 7:22PM
tobyam said...
coach and qb need to be replaced....period...
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9-27-2009 @ 7:42PM
HEADHAWG said...
Campbell passed for 340 yards,2 TD's and ran for another 21.If you think he's the problem you don't know football.Zorn needs an offensive co ordinator.The coach lost this game.
9-27-2009 @ 7:54PM
ERIC said...
i agree with every comments that were made as a true redskin fan i have to say to that zorn and campbell need to be gone.
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9-27-2009 @ 8:01PM
cannonsells said...
Meet the new Detroit Lions in burgundy and gold! What are you waiting for Snyder..next weeks loss?
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9-27-2009 @ 8:03PM
ckcarmen9 said...
WITH ALL THE MONEY THEY GET PAID YOU THINK THEY MIGHT TRY A LITTLE HARDER. DONT BLAME IT ALL ON THE COACH AND QB
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9-27-2009 @ 8:10PM
ccasino444 said...
zorn needs to go.I agree with everything that has been said.
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9-27-2009 @ 8:29PM
jeremiah3d said...
zorn can stay but that campbell must go im 67 years old and can play better than he can dont they have anyone else
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9-28-2009 @ 12:39AM
samm said...
i dont get y pple wud put this loss on campbell how about 27-41 for 340 yds and 2 tds n an int that was probly one of the best performances of the day the thing that lost the game was THEY CUDNT RUN THE BALL OR PLAY DEFENCE I DONT GET Y NO 1 CAN C THAT
9-27-2009 @ 8:44PM
ettev6791 said...
I'm sick of seeing the damn stretch play every series. GET RID OF ZORN!!!!! He looks like he doesn't have a clue when it comes to getting a team in the endzone.
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9-27-2009 @ 9:03PM
lumpy659 said...
jason campbell will never win....he is terrible!!!!!!!i told 30 people the way he holds the ball at least once a game they smack it out!!!!!fire the quarterback and bench campbell, anybody can do better than this slug!!!!!!!!
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9-27-2009 @ 9:06PM
lumpy659 said...
i typed to fast, fire the quarterback coach and bench or trade (who the hell would want him)and give one of the other guys a chance they have to be better....and the smack out was before the giant game i didnt predict a touchdown but i told 30 people he would get the ball knocked out of his hands, he sucks!!!!!!!!!you have santa moss and randel el and no scores.........
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