First taste

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.”

Said Zorn: “Those are the things we’re trying to teach Jason at the line of scrimmage, and he took a big step forward today in several areas.”

Campbell’s longest career completion gave the Redskins the lead, rookie Chris Horton’s second interception with 2:59 remaining preserved it and Campbell’s 8-yard bullet to Moss on fourth-and-2 after the two-minute warning sealed it, helping Washington avoid a chaotic week that would have resulted from an 0-2 start.

Instead, the Redskins will roll into Sunday’s game against Arizona at FedEx Field knowing their offense can move down the field, knowing their defense can create takeaways and knowing their rookie coach has confidence in their talents.

“I don’t know how to act, but I’m very excited,” Zorn said. “I wish I could enjoy it as much as I had to endure last week’s loss for four, five days. I won’t be able to, but it doesn’t matter because this is great.”

Zorn pointed to plenty of great individual performances that added up to the rally: Horton, starting for ill Reed Doughty, recorded three takeaways; Moss posted 164 receiving yards (the second-highest total of his career); the defense held New Orleans to 55 yards rushing; Campbell had his third 300-yard passing game; Chris Cooley had five receptions for 72 yards; and Clinton Portis plowed his way to 96 yards and two touchdowns.

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