The Redskins hired Sherm Lewis as an offensive consultant Tuesday in a move CBS analyst Charley Casserly called the “kiss of death” for coach Jim Zorn.
Executive V.P. of football operations Vinny Cerrato spoke Tuesday evening on a conference call about the decision to hire Lewis, which Cerrato said came directly from Cerrato.
Cerrato approached Zorn on Monday about adding a “fresh set of eyes.” (That phrase was ad nauseum by Cerrato on the call and in a statement released by the team Tuesday.)
Zorn told Cerrato that if they could come up with the “right guy,” then he would welcome the help. They “kicked around names” and came up with Lewis, who has 20 years of experience in the West Coast offense, but he hasn’t been in the league since 2004.
Zorn will continue to call the plays and his numerous roles won’t change. But the hiring of Lewis is a sign that Zorn may be stretched too thin, and needs help.
Cerrato bristled at the notion that hiring Lewis sent a message that Zorn was in trouble.
“I think it sends the message that, you know, we’re bringing in a set of eyes that has experience in the West Coast offense,” Cerrato said. [Editor’s note: Why not Mike Holmgren?]
When asked if Zorn needed a vote of confidence after bringing in help on his side of the ball, Cerrato replied, “He’s the head football coach.”
Zorn didn’t previously know Lewis, but Cerrato said that they wouldn’t have hired anyone that didn’t get the head coach’s approval. Still, it’s another member of the Redskins coaching staff that Zorn didn’t hand pick.
And whether the Redskins like it or not, the move certainly won’t stop the constant chatter about Zorn’s job security for the rest of the season.
Only a winning record can do that.
(Luckily for Zorn, Washington’s next two opponents are 0-7 combined on the season.)
“We’ve had some struggles,” Cerrato admitted. “We thought it was a good time . . . bring in a fresh set of eyes -- to see what they can see.”
