Zorn's Clock Management or Mismangement

[TheLongshot]

Wow, another one that doesn't get it.

We aren't saying he shouldn't have taken a timeout, we are saying he should have taken the timeout later in the play clock, so the game clock would have been near or under 30 seconds, hense making it harder for the 49ers to drive down the field.

It's pretty simple game management.

And if you don't make it, the game is over. At least with 1:06 and two time outs, you force the other team to actually run plays deep in their own end zone. That at least gives a chance to force a turnover.

Again, I would expect our defense to be able to stop the 49ers with a minute left.

[Die Hard]

Wow, another one that doesn't get it.

We aren't saying he shouldn't have taken a timeout, we are saying he should have taken the timeout later in the play clock, so the game clock would have been near or under 30 seconds, hense making it harder for the 49ers to drive down the field.

It's pretty simple game management.

Don't argue with him. Jim Zorn can start a game with 3 straight time outs.... and TheLongShot will rationalize the decision. He's a Redskins cheerleader.... nothing more. Don't talk football with someone who doesn't understand the intricacies of the games.

[Die Hard]

nmasdfasdfasdfas

[dcoles11]

Don't argue with him. Jim Zorn can start a game with 3 straight time outs.... and TheLongShot will rationalize the decision. He's a Redskins cheerleader.... nothing more. Don't talk football with someone who doesn't understand the intricacies of the games.

That what I figured. It's like arguing with Jim Zorn's wife.

[TheLongshot]

Don't argue with him. Jim Zorn can start a game with 3 straight time outs.... and TheLongShot will rationalize the decision. He's a Redskins cheerleader.... nothing more. Don't talk football with someone who doesn't understand the intricacies of the games.

dcoles11, let me introduce you to my stalker.

[kentuckyskinsfan]

The reason Zorn can not coach the game, is because Zorn is only coaching Campbell on the sideline and not paying attention to the game.

[isle-hawg]

He's in over his head, it's a freaken circus out there. I've never coach football a day in my life but as soon as Cooley caught that pass I was telling my brother, they need to wait until the play clock is down under 5 then call a timeout.

This way they can set up the play they want on 4th down and if they score the clock will be down near 30 seconds, making it hard for ther 49ers to get in FG range.

I guess this is what you get when you make a QB coach a head coach.

I agree. I know Zorn mentioned "he is the worst coach in the NFL" but that was BS. He does not call himself out in specifics, neither does Campbell. They don't really take accountability for our lack of O. This is getting way old to me.

[CaliforniaSkin]

OK, what are the odds that if he did run the clock down and there was a defensive holding in the endzone on that play giving us only a few seconds when we had 1st & goal, the exact same folks would be complaining that Zorn was an idiot for letting the clock run down?

Just asking...

[GoDeep81]

OK, what are the odds that if he did run the clock down and there was a defensive holding in the endzone on that play giving us only a few seconds when we had 1st & goal, the exact same folks would be complaining that Zorn was an idiot for letting the clock run down?

Just asking...

The ones complaining would be the ones who dont know the skill of managing a clock.. (cant really play for a penalty) It really wasnt rocket science to let the clock run down in that situation, thou they still got it wrong..

Actually, we'd of declined the penalty and took the 6 points..

[Die Hard]

dcoles11, let me introduce you to my stalker.

believe it or not Jason.... you're not the only unintelligent football fan I call out on ES. Perhaps if you just never post again.... then you wouldn't spread the idiocy and I won't feel compelled to post.

But in less than 3 years.... you have 2/3 of the quantity of posts that I have in 10 years. Maybe you should take a breather.... take some time off.

[Samuels]

We had 3 timeouts and 1 minute left with the ball on the 3. This is'nt rocket science people. He knew he was gonna run on 1st and 2nd which was stupid to begin with he should already have had a 4th down play ready, period, no excuses they had 30 seconds to run a normal play. If you don't convert 4th down you have 3 timeouts left and atleast 30-40 seconds if you stop them with them punting from thier own endzone to probably Santana.

If he called the timeout with 30 seconds left and we don't convert they run out the clock thats a even worse scenario then him calling it when he did atleast the way he did it we would gotta the ball back with about 20 seconds left.

The timeout shoulda never been called that made that 4th down a do or die down. And after wasting the TO they still came up with a crappy play that JC bailed him out of.

[dcoles11]

OK, what are the odds that if he did run the clock down and there was a defensive holding in the endzone on that play giving us only a few seconds when we had 1st & goal, the exact same folks would be complaining that Zorn was an idiot for letting the clock run down?

Just asking...

You're joking right? So now you should base your clock management on the chance that there might be a flag on the play?

Beyond that, if they had run the clock down to 30 seconds like they should have, a penalty wouldn't have changed anything.

They still would have had 20 seconds and 2 timeouts left, which means they would have had plenty of time to run 4 more offensive plays if needed.

[bulldog]

The Redskins scored to make it 24-24 and there was NO excuse for the defense allowing a no-name like Josh Morgan to torch them for reception after reception leading to the final field goal.

The corners played so far off the 49ers receivers you would have thought Rice and Taylor were still lining up for them.

[dcoles11]

The Redskins scored to make it 24-24 and there was NO excuse for the defense allowing a no-name like Josh Morgan to torch them for reception after reception leading to the final field goal.

The corners played so far off the 49ers receivers you would have thought Rice and Taylor were still lining up for them.

There is plenty of blame to go around for the players but that really isn't the point.

It is Zorn's job to put the team in the best position to win and he didn't do that.

He has been a diaster all year when it comes to clock management, it's like the man doesn't have the ability to learn.

[kentuckyskinsfan]

If possible, we need Mike Martz. As you observed today, Martz out coached the Redskins coaching staff in the second half and won the game.

[drowland]

The Redskins scored to make it 24-24 and there was NO excuse for the defense allowing a no-name like Josh Morgan to torch them for reception after reception leading to the final field goal.

The corners played so far off the 49ers receivers you would have thought Rice and Taylor were still lining up for them.

Just like Donnie Avery did in the Rams game. Acording to this board I thought rookie WRs weren't suppose to make an impact. I guess some like Josh Morgan, Avery and DeSean Jackson didn't get the memo.

[Bubble Screen]

Exactly what I was thinking. You have too options here.

1) NOT call the timeout and run a play, so that if you don't score, you can get the ball back 1 more time or

2) Call the time out with 1 second left and bet it all on scoring and going to OT. Simply calling a TO with over a min left for no reason was stupid.

I think what was going through his mind is that he felt he needed more time to think about a play to get the TD. Afterall, if you don't get the score it doesn't matter about the clock. Not saying he was necessarily right or wrong. He also probably felt that the defense would hold them. These are things he can learn from. Its not like the decision cost us a playoff berth. He can take in all this and hopefully make better decisions next year when it counts. Another frustrating loss, though...

[Bubble Screen]

My argument exactly. Until he stops being so ***damn conservative in the redzone, we aren't going to make any progress next year.

Um, weren't the Skins 3 for 3 in the red zone today with 3 TD?

[33]

Boselli also brought up the great point of the red challenge flag being in Zorn's pocket while he's talking to JC on the bench. If that's the case than it's only a matter of luck that it hasn't been a problem for us.

I agree with SHF, Zorn is micro-managing when he needs to pay more attention to the big picture.

[Bubble Screen]

Boselli also brought up the great point of the red challenge flag being in Zorn's pocket while he's talking to JC on the bench. If that's the case than it's only a matter of luck that it hasn't been a problem for us.

I agree with SHF, Zorn is micro-managing when he needs to pay more attention to the big picture.

There are guys up in the booth that are seeing the same replays we are at home. I'm pretty sure they could get Zorn's attention pretty quickly. I thought the red flag thing that Tony brought up was BS.

[hail2skins]

Zorn probably could've handled it better but he's not the only coach who can't seem to manage the clock. Even though the Vikings kicker did win the game, I have no idea what Brad Childress was doing in the last 45 seconds of that one.

[Fred Jones]

I agree with the OP on this point. I said it at the time in the game thread. I was a little surprised Zorn called a TO so soon.

As I said at the time, by waiting to call the time out it would actually give him more time to decide what to call. For the people saying that it calmed the confusion I say he could simply could have told them they will call a TO. These are pro's will are talking about.

By waiting two things would have happened. Much more of the clock would have been expended or SF would have been forced to use one of their two remaining TO's.

It was simply a bad tactical time management decision. Obviously, it is unknown if it would have made a difference, but don't give the opposition more chances they they deserve.

[PeterMP]

I'm sorry, but I honestly believe that most good NFL play callers can think a play ahead. On multiple occasions, Zorn this year doesn't seem to be able too.

[e16bball]

Zorn still has an assistant coaches mentality. Likes to get to the nitty gritty with coaching and calling plays

He needs to become a headcoach. Lead, motivate, discipline and be on top of situations like this

Get some experienced assistants in the WCO. Step back and look at the big picture

Absolutely smashed the nail on the head.

At this point in his coaching career, Zorn is not a great leader, manager, or decision-maker. I'm not saying he will NEVER be these things, because obviously he's just started in this position. However, I think it's clear that in all these crucial facets of his job, he's come up a little short. As you say, he seems more focused on the "football" stuff instead of the "team" stuff.

If I'm Snyder, I go to Zorn with two options. I'd make it clear that we aren't trying to get rid of him, just that it seems pretty evident that some things need to change for the sake of the team.

In Option A, Zorn remains as head coach of the team. However, he is compelled to select offensive assistants that will take over the majority of the reins on that side of the ball. Guys that he trusts, that management trusts, that have proven they can be successful. Guys who will allow Zorn to be more of a HEAD COACH, in the way that you see guys like Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh are head coaches. Focused on game management and motivation and overall philosophy. I'd make it clear that this is the preferred path, because we believe in him as our coach and want him to remain in that position.

If Zorn doesn't want to give up his involvement in the in-depth coaching and control of the offense, though, I'd offer him Option B. It's unlikely he'd accept, but I'd allow him to remain on the staff as the OC and QB coach, with a more established head coach taking control of the organization.

Obviously, I'm sure, neither of those options is ideal for Zorn. But he needs a little more seasoning, and I don't like the idea of his progression being slower than it needs to be, especially when the window is closing on this particular group of Redskins.

[Peregrine]

I also at the time couldn't figure out why Zorn called the timeout then. That timeout cost the Skins the chance to go to OT.

For those who dont understand, it wasnt that the skins called timeout on 4th that was the issue(it was the right thing to do). It was that it was called BEFORE the playclock got to 1, and instead of running off as much clock as possible(remember it was 4th down and we only got one shot) we left them with extra time that was the only reason they got the FG. Any coach knows you leave your opponents with as little time as possible at the end of a game/half to score, and that was an easy one. I really hope people realize that JC is not the only problem with this team, and stuff like that makes it obvious.