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Zorn: Addressing the good, bad

Coach attempts to color season in positive way

By Ryan O'Halloran | Tuesday, December 30, 2008

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Jim Zorn came full circle Monday at Redskin Park, conducting his season-ending news conference in a shirt and tie for the second time since being hired as Washington's coach.

During his public unveiling Feb. 10, Zorn wore a gold tie and famously referred to the team's colors as maroon and black. During a 35-minute briefing to wrap up his first season, Zorn wore a tie and Redskins-themed cufflinks given to him by owner Dan Snyder. This time, he got the colors right.

"Burgundy and gold, baby," he said.

The second half of the Redskins' season may have been a downer - 2-6 to finish 8-8, last in the NFC East - but Zorn presented a confident front a day after a 27-24 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. He remains adamant his West Coast passing scheme will flourish, hopeful Jason Campbell will develop into a standout quarterback and resolute the Redskins can play better.

To get his point across to the team, Zorn went with the professional look instead of his normal ensemble of jeans and a golf shirt.

"I wanted to address them in such a way that it had some purpose to it," he said. "We looked at some of the opportunities missed. You can easily divide our season into two seasons - the first half and second half. We fell down on several games that we felt like were great opportunities to win and didn't."

Zorn addressed his choice of wardrobe first but wasted no time delving into more important topics. He said Campbell performed well enough - 13 touchdowns, six interceptions, 84.3 passer rating - to remain the team's starter in 2009 despite the Redskins' 28th-ranked scoring offense (16.6 points a game). Receiver Santana Moss echoed his coach's endorsement.

"I think [Jason] did great dealing with the circumstances - the new offense, the ways he had to run the offense, getting hit in the face a lot," Moss said. "Time and time again, he showed me his toughness by getting off the ground and moving to the next play."

Zorn also said he wants to keep his coaching staff intact, but secondary coach Jerry Gray, according to league sources, is scheduled to interview for the Detroit Lions' coaching opening and also could serve as defensive coordinator there.

Zorn said he will remain the play caller and quarterbacks coach. On draft day, Zorn said only "special circumstances" would lead the Redskins to trade out of the 13th spot.