Swengali: Zorn Could Be Great — or Not

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Express sports columnist Matt Swenson calls 'em as he sees 'em.

TO BE HONEST, I DON'T KNOW a whole lot about Jim Zorn, but here are two observations related to his hiring: Matt Hasselbeck did not leave Boston College as a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback, and the West Coast offense has never been run effectively in Washington.

To start on a positive note, Hasselbeck's progress in Seattle should give Redskins fans hope that Jason Campbell's future is in the right hands. Of course, no one here really knows how much credit goes to Zorn or to Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren, who has coached Hasselbeck and Brett Favre — before he was a legend — to the Super Bowl.

The short-passing attack known as the West Coast offense, however, failed to be installed successfully by Richie Petitbon and Rod Dowhower the year after Joe Gibbs retired the first time.

That disaster doesn't mean Zorn won't do a fine job in Washington. However, we've seen firsthand just how long it can take to change offensive schemes. Steve Spurrier's fun 'n' gun was full of blanks for two years. Even more recently, look at the setback suffered when Al Saunders took over the offense from Gibbs.

If similar results occur, Zorn will be replaced as fast as you can say Bill Cowher.

Truth be told, no one knows how Zorn will do. That's why his hiring could be looked back upon as genius or just another misstep by an owner who hasn't gotten it right yet.

Photo by John McDonnell/The Washington Post