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First taste

Trust in his quarterback gives Zorn initial win with Redskins

By Ryan O'Halloran | Monday, September 15, 2008

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In one snapshot, it represented everything Jim Zorn has been preaching to Jason Campbell since the spring day they first put their noses into the new coach's West Coast offense.

Recognize a new coverage and make the needed protection change.

Don't stare down the first receiver and throw to him even if he's covered.

Waste little movement dodging a pass rusher so the play isn't disrupted.

And the last part: make the throw.

Before Santana Moss caught the pass in stride for a 67-yard touchdown that gave the Washington Redskins a 29-24 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at steamy FedEx Field, the aforementioned actions made the play happen.

For the first time all game, the Saints cheated a safety near the line of scrimmage. Seeing that, Campbell switched the protection, moving the formation from I to split backs, and in the front of his mind figured Moss - and not Antwaan Randle El - would be the target because of man coverage.

The Saints instead blitzed a linebacker, and when a miscommunication up front sprung defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy free, fullback Mike Sellers chipped him enough to allow Campbell to slide to his left. And then, without having to reset his feet or entire body, he unleashed a throw that traveled 59 yards in the air before Moss grabbed it in stride at the 15 to give Zorn his first NFL victory.

A week after Zorn called a conservative game plan, as if to show how much he didn't want the game in his quarterback's hands, Campbell threw 36 passes, completing 24 for 321 yards.

"We talked during the week, and I said, 'Coach, trust me,' and he said, 'I have to trust you more,'" Campbell said. "We believe in what we can do and what we can do together."