A Thing I've Learned Recently, 12/30/09

I don't have that many things, just one big thing.

Here it is...Everything else aside, Jim Zorn is not fit to coach in the NFL because he can't motivate his team. See - the last two games. In an ideal world, my ideal world at least, an NFL head coach would not do anything else but lead the team. His job would be to motivate and provide direction. He would not also be an offensive coordinator or defensive coordinator. He would not also be the general manager.


In my ideal world an organization would be run like this: The owner would buy the team and then sit in the plush box, hire smart football people, and write checks (like Bob Craft). The GM worries about contracts and the salary cap and, along with the head coach, evaluates talent (like Ernie Accorsi). The head coach's primary job is to lead and motivate (like Bill Cowher).


Zorn, over the last two games, showed that he cannot motivate the Redskins. In both games the Redskins were playing at home, in primetime, against a division opponent, with a chance to make it very hard for said opponent to make the playoffs. For God's sakes, I could have gotten that locker room fired up.


And they lost these games by a combined 62-12 score, including a 17-0 shutout to their hated rival, the Cowboys.


How does that even happen? Most NFL players are highly competitive and want to win, just because. Just because there is a game. Just because there is an opponent. Just because at the end of the day some is going to win. Yes, there are some players there to collect a check, but most are competitive, inside and outside of football.


At the professional level, in all sports, not just football, success is mostly determined by what happens between the ears. It is about knowing what you have to do, making smart decisions, and being confident. There is very little variation in the athletic ability of all of these players. Peyton Manning is not a better athlete than Jason Campbell, physically, but he has played in the same system since entering the league, so he knows how to do what he needs to do, and he has done for so long it's reactionary. He also knows the game inside and out. He also has a swagger. He thinks he is the best player on the field all the time. That is what you want, a team with 53 guys who think they are the best. Who get mad when they get beat. Who think they are better than anyone lined up across from them.


It is very rare to see a player have a physical gift that allows them to be dominant on the field because no one can match them. Think Barry Sanders' elusiveness, Reggie White's strength, Drew Brees' accuracy. (I think Chris Johnson's speed deserves to be on this list. When he turns the corner he is uncatchable...literally.) That is why the intangibles, as they are called, are so important.

So, in conclusion, Zorn stinks. I guess everyone knew that already, but to me this is the main reason why. He should go be a quarterbacks coach or an OC somewhere next year.