A ‘disappointing’ beginning for Redskins

The Washington Redskins have a 2-5 record and struggle to protect the quarterback, open running lanes, score points and win games. The man who built the team, however, said the roster he provided coach Jim Zorn is playoff-caliber.

“Yes,” said Vinny Cerrato, the club’s executive vice president of football operations, without hesitation when asked if the roster was good enough to make the postseason.

Speaking with local reporters for the first time in three weeks, Cerrato addressed the season’s first seven games, the promotion of Sherm Lewis to play caller, offensive line depth and his job security.

“Frustrating and disappointing - it’s not where we expected to be,” Cerrato said. “I know [owner Dan Snyder is] disappointed for the fans. Everybody’s disappointed for the fans. We need to regroup during this bye and come out these last nine games and improve.”

While Snyder jetted to France, Cerrato and Zorn dealt with the aftermath of the Redskins’ 27-17 Monday night loss to Philadelphia, a defeat in which tight end Chris Cooley suffered a broken right tibia. He is slated for surgery Wednesday and hopes to return in a month.

With speculation rampant last week about Zorn’s job security, Cerrato on Friday announced on his radio show that Zorn was safe for the season. Amid conjecture that he is worried about his own fate, Cerrato on Tuesday addressed his job security.

“I feel like my job is on the line all the time,” he said. “It’s not something I worry about. My job is to get us going and to fill these holes when guys get hurt. Things take care of themselves after the season.”

The Redskins have neglected to take care of their offensive line for several years. Quarterback Jason Campbell was sacked six times by the Eagles, bringing the total to 12 since left tackle Chris Samuels was injured in a Week 5 defeat at Carolina and lost for the season. Right guard Randy Thomas suffered a season-ending injury in Week 2.

The Redskins’ 23 sacks allowed are third-most in the NFL. Zorn doesn’t anticipate any lineup changes - including newcomer Levi Jones at left tackle in place of Stephon Heyer, who injured a knee Monday - before visiting Atlanta on Nov. 8.

“You have to be able to protect the quarterback - that’s one of the basic fundamentals of football,” linebacker London Fletcher said. “It was only six sacks they got, but it seemed like it was double figures.”

Said Cerrato: “Are [we] having the results we wanted? No. We don’t want sacks. If it was Chris Samuels and Randy Thomas in there, would it be better? Absolutely. If you lose a Pro Bowler [such as Samuels], it’s definitely going to drop off. Where we’re standing right now, to have more depth would be great.

“Look at the depth around the league. Nobody has a Pro Bowler to back up a Pro Bowler. Look at Philadelphia last week when Jason Peters went out - they had six sacks [allowed] against the Raiders. When you lose some quality people, there is a drop-off. I’m not making excuses.”

Campbell’s task has become even more difficult because his favorite target is out for the near future. Cooley has led the Redskins in receptions three straight years, and he leads the team again this season with 29 catches. Although Zorn said he expected to place him on the season-ending injured reserve list, Cooley didn’t rule himself out.

“3 pins go in the ankle [Wednesday]. Hopefully be back in 4 weeks,” he wrote on his Twitter page Tuesday.

A source said four weeks is “possible” for Cooley, but all options will be evaluated after the surgery. It’s unlikely Cooley would be placed on injured reserve until a final prognosis is made.

“It’s just devastating because he’s such a good player for us all over the field and he’s good for our football team,” Zorn said. “He brings the fight to the field, and it’s going to be a big loss for us.”

Second-year player Fred Davis takes over the starter’s role.

In Cooley, Campbell had a security outlet, a player he knew could get open against any type of coverage and also get yards after the catch. Lewis’ first two calls on Monday were passes to Cooley - a way to get Campbell into a rhythm early.

Zorn said Lewis was “outstanding” in his first game as play caller. Lewis decided whether the play was run or pass. He then called the pass play, or offensive coordinator Sherman Smith would provide a run call. Zorn was involved in red zone and two-minute situations.

“He did an excellent job mixing the plays up,” Zorn said. “He was bold. He called some shots that we didn’t get off based on protection and breakdowns.”

Campbell played most of the game with a sprained ankle; he was one of nine players who suffered injuries against the Eagles. Zorn originally scheduled practice for Wednesday, but that was canceled and the players were sent on a five-day break.

When they return, the Redskins face a schedule that includes five straight games against teams that currently have winning records. The players know the season could continue to unravel if the offense still struggles and the injuries continue to mount. The Redskins have lost 11 of their past 15 games.

“The 2-5 record characterizes it all - just real frustration,” Zorn said. “Just things I haven’t seen before and haven’t been able to predict would happen but did happen - and that’s really on the field and off the field. We’re 2-5, and it’s super-frustrating.”

Said Fletcher: “It’s basically been a year of struggles. Man, it gets very frustrating week in and week out, and you’re like, ’When will this nightmare end?’ ”