by The Washington Times

But in a perfect example of how bizarre things have gotten during a disappointing 2-6 first half, one subject wasn't covered: Zorn's explanation for sticking with Jason Campbell four days after benching him in the loss to Kansas City.

Yes, in a quarterback town, even that position took a backseat, replaced by the addition of consultant Sherm Lewis, Zorn's loss of playcalling duties, several key injuries and the leaky offensive line.

After several calm seasons, Redskin Park again has become a three-ring circus. From the opening week of the regular season, there has been no shortage of drama.

SEPT. 13: ANOTHER WEEK 1 DUD

What happened: The Redskins fell behind 17-0 in the season opener at the New York Giants and lost 23-17.

Impact: In retrospect, it should have been the first sign of trouble. The offense was turnover-prone (Osi Umenyiora returned a fumble for a 37-yard touchdown), the defense was susceptible to big plays (the Giants had seven of at least 22 yards) and the team fell behind early. Plus, Zorn's decision-making already was being questioned. He used two trick plays - Antwaan Randle El's failed pass and Hunter Smith's fake field goal run for a touchdown - against a team the Redskins weren't going to beat.

SEPT. 20: THOMAS GOES DOWN

What happened: In the victory over St. Louis, which included the Redskins going 0-for-5 in the red zone, right guard Randy Thomas suffered a season-ending right triceps injury.

Impact: Even teammates knew Thomas wasn't going to make it throughthe season. What they didn't know was how the position would turn into a revolving door. Former third-round pick Chad Rinehart lasted twogames, Mike Williams lasted one week before moving to right tackle and former center Will Montgomery has started the past two games. Add right guard to the long list of Redskins' needs after this year.

SEPT. 27: THE STREAK ENDS

What happened: Detroit's 19-game losing skid ended when it jumped to a 13-point lead and defeated the Redskins 19-14.

Impact: The Redskins showed how a team with better personnel losesif it doesn't play with the same desire. The Lions, led by a rookie quarterback, put together first-half scoring drives of 99, 74 and 96 yards and sealed the game with an 88-yard march. The Redskins' offense couldn't get in from the 1-yard line on the opening possession whenMike Sellers blew his block and Clinton Portis was stopped on fourthdown. In attendance for the game was retired NFL assistant Sherm Lewis.

OCT. 6: 'FRESH SET OF EYES'

What happened: Disappointed with the lack of scoring, Redskins executive vice president of Football operations Vinny Cerrato pulled Lewis out of retirement to become an offensive consultant and serve as "a fresh set of eyes.

Impact: This move cut off Zorn's right leg (the left leg wouldn't survive the month). The offensive staff was blindsided by the addition since none of the coaches had a history with Lewis. During his onlypublic comments since the hiring, Lewis revealed he was calling bingo games in Michigan before deciding to join the Redskins . That, alongwith their struggles against a soft early schedule, quickly made theRedskins a national punch line.

OCT. 8: ZIPPING UP

What happened: In a move somehow approved by the NFL office, defensive coordinator Greg Blache announced he will no longer take questions from the media. Secondary coach Jerry Gray became the defense's spokesman.

Impact: It just further exhibited how certain people at Redskin Park are not accountable for their actions. A week before, Blache vowedto be a "maverick in his playcalling and said criticism of the defense starts with him and how he's fine getting thrown under the bus. A week later, he clams up.

OCT. 11: SAMUELS' STINGER

What happened: On the Redskins' second defensive snap at Carolina,left tackle Chris Samuels butted heads with defensive end Tyler Brayton. Samuels suffered a season-ending and potentially career-threatening neck injury.

Impact: An already battered line and a struggling offense lost itsmost indispensable player. For a decade, Redskins play callers and quarterbacks - and there have been plenty of them - could count on Samuels defending the blind side. On Oct. 23, Samuels was ruled out for the season and in a statement said he would wait three to four monthsto be re-examined and determine his future. Left tackle instantly became the Redskins' No. 1 draft need.

OCT. 18: ALL HECK BREAKS LOOSE

What happened: During an inexcusable loss to Kansas City, Campbellis benched for the first time in his NFL career, but Todd Collins couldn't spark the offense. After the game, Cerrato stripped Zorn of the playcalling duties and gave them to Lewis.

Impact: And there goes Zorn's other leg. The Campbell decision wasjustified because the coaching staff thought Collins would be able to ignite a stagnant unit. That didn't happen. What the playcalling decision forced was a hectic work week for the alienated offensive staff, which had to come up with a new way to call plays to compensate for Lewis' lack of familiarity with the personnel and scheme. Snyder and Cerrato were slammed nationally for their treatment of Zorn.

OCT. 21: LARGENT UNPLUGGED

What happened: Appearing on a Seattle radio show, Hall of Fame receiver Steve Largent pounded the Redskins' front office and ownership for how they deal with Zorn, a former teammate and longtime friend.

Impact: It certainly made for good radio. "To think [the playcalling change] is going to be successful, that's a joke; that is really ajoke, Largent said. " The embarrassment lies at the feet of the people who made the decision, and that was not Jim. .. I think it will behumbling and embarrassing for the Redskins' owner and management that

made the decision" The consensus inside Redskin Park: Everything Largent said was true.

OCT. 23: VINNY UNPLUGGED

What happened: Cerrato started his weekly radio show by saying Zorn is the coach for the rest of the year "and hopefully into the future.

Impact: Minimal. Although Cerrato called the situation "totally crystal clear, players and assistant coaches just shrugged at the endorsement. The biggest disclosure is that Zorn said he wasn't told by Snyder or Cerrato about the decision. Zorn added: "My deal is I'm the head Football coach. I want to be here the next 10 years.

NOV. 3: SNYDER 'EMBARRASSED'

What happened: At a charity event, Snyder broke his vow not to talk to the media during the regular season.

Impact: Hardly any because Snyder didn't say anything. "We're disappointed, and we're embarrassed. And we hope to get it going soon, hesaid. It didn't register in the locker room because it wasn't like Snyder was taking blame himself for the on-field struggles, off-field turmoil and the way the roster was built.

NOV. 4-5: RIGGINS vs. BLACHE

What happened: Former Redskins standout John Riggins continued hisbarrage on Snyder, saying on Showtime that the owner is a "bad guy and his heart is "dark. A day later, Blache responded.

Impact: Riggins' comments should come at face value - he's in it for the show business, and the latest assault wasn't exactly creating shockwaves locally. But when Blache saw the quotes, he became so enraged that he gave a rambling four-minute defense of Snyder. Of course,he didn't take any questions.

NOV. 8: FIRST-HALF MELTDOWN

What happened: The Redskins were hammered in the first half and lost 31-17 at Atlanta in a game that wasn't nearly as close as the score indicated.

Impact: The game was costly from an injury standpoint - safety Chris Horton (toe) is out for at least a month, and running back ClintonPortis (concussion) is doubtful for Denver. It was a lot like the opener - the Falcons seized on big-play chances, scoring on runs of 30 and 58 yards and a 62-yard interception return. Five first-half sackstook a toll on Jason Campbell, who left the game twice because of injury.

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POLLING THE FANS

QUESTION 1: Which was the Redskins' worst loss of the first half of the season?

Readers' take:

Detroit 19, Washington 14: 53%

Kansas City 14, Washington 6: 33%

Carolina 20, Washington 17: 4%

Atlanta 31, Washington 17: 4%

Philadelphia 27, Washington 17: 2%

N.Y. Giants 23, Washington 17: 1%

Our take, from columnist Dan Daly:

The Redskins' worst loss so far was the 9-7 win over the Rams. Whydo I consider one of their two victories their worst loss? Because it was clear after Week 2 that these Redskins , for all their purportedtalent, just didn't get it. The players couldn't understand why the fans were booing. They failed to grasp that they had played wretchedly against one of the worst clubs in the league. They fell back on theol' win is a win nonsense and went on their merry way instead of acknowledging that, yeah, maybe they needed to put forth a little more effort. It all started in the St. Louis game. That was when the Redskins announced: There are no depths to which we won't sink - and no lame excuse we won't make.

QUESTION 2: Who is the Redskins' first-half offensive MVP?

Readers' take:

Someone else: 34%

Chris Cooley: 28%

Shaun Suisham: 18%

Jason Campbell: 7%

Santana Moss: 4%

Chris Samuels: 4%

Clinton Portis: 0%

Our take, from beat writer Ryan O'Halloran:

Mostly by default, it has to be kicker Shaun Suisham since the Redskins have yet to score more than 17 points in a game and their punter is tied for the team lead in rushing touchdowns (one). Suisham faced competition in training camp but has raised his game - he has made all 10 of his field goal attempts and is 11-for-12 on extra points. He scored all nine points in the Week 2 win over St. Louis. On kickoffs, he's getting good hang time and placing the ball outside the hashmarks. The Redskins' kickoff coverage team is second in the NFL (19.9 yards an attempt).

QUESTION 3: Who is the Redskins' first-half defensive MVP?

Readers' take:

London Fletcher: 75%

Albert Haynesworth: 15%

Andre Carter: 8%

DeAngelo Hall: 0%

Our take, from beat writer David Elfin:

He has only three sacks and the Redskins are 25th against the run,but Albert Haynesworth is Washington's first-half defensive MVP. Hispresence in the middle has allowed Andre Carter (also a candidate) and Brian Orakpo to apply pressure from the outside. Cornerback DeAngelo Hall is the star of the secondary for the top-ranked pass defense,and middle linebacker London Fletcher remains a tackling machine. But it all starts up front with Haynesworth.

QUESTION 4: What has been the biggest disappointment this season?

Readers' take:

Impotent offense: 62%

Losses to Kansas City and Detroit: 12%

Lack of production from second-year receivers: 9%

Hiring of offensive consultant Sherm Lewis: 8%

Decline of Clinton Portis: 4%

Injuries to Chris Samuels and Chris Cooley: 1%

Our take, from beat writer Ryan O'Halloran:

Hope gets a team nowhere in the NFL, but that's what the Redskins were doing during the offseason and training camp - hoping their offensive line would hold up physically. But the Redskins didn't have enough depth on the line. Right guard Randy Thomas (triceps) and left tackle Chris Samuels (neck) were lost in the first five games, and now even the backups are getting hurt. The Redskins are on pace to allow 56 sacks. The running game hasn't been any better and is ranked 23rd in the league, on pace for their worst ranking since they finished 24th in 1994.

CAPTION(S):

Jim Zorn, head coach of the Washington Redskins , leaves the field after trailing the Atlanta Falcons at half-time at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga. Sunday, November 8, 2009. [Photo by Michael Connor/TheWashington Times]

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