One to Rally Around

Redskins Coach Jim Zorn has a word with Drew Brees after the game. (By Jonathan Newton -- The Washington Post)
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The Redskins amassed 455 yards, more than in any game in 2007 under Gibbs, while Campbell completed 24 of 36 passes for 321 yards and a 104.1 quarterback rating, a mark he only topped twice last season. All week, Zorn and Campbell reinforced to each other that they had to trust each other more, not wait so long to believe that they had installed their attack enough to let it rip.

And Zorn piled on the information. "At timeouts I'd say, 'Jason, remember, you've got this [play] and you've got this.' One time I got on the headset and said, 'I know I'm being a nervous Nellie but don't forget this play, too.' "

In the end, the biggest play of the game was a combination of Campbell's talent and, perhaps, Zorn's months of hounding the quarterback to learn that, when pressured, he must instinctively "avoid, reset and throw."

Trailing 24-15 with 9:57 to play, the Redskins faced second and 22 from their 6-yard line after a sack of Campbell. The Redskins looked dead. Almost. Instead, Campbell, who had consistent success from the shotgun, took a normal drop back from center, evaded pressure near his own goal line and rifled a 23-yard rope to Chris Cooley. The rest of the drive was child's play.

"The West Coast offense is about working all the way across the field if the first and second reads aren't open," said Campbell, who had plenty of time all day, perhaps because the Saints were without three starters on defense.

Throughout his brief, 22-start career, Campbell's trademark, if he has one yet, has been the near-miss comeback. "We've had games where we fought and fought and came up short -- like the [losses] at Dallas and Tampa last year," said Campbell, who threw late interceptions in both games. "In all the games I've started, I've probably lost all but one [against New England] by five or less."

Has that pattern changed? And, if it does, will Zorn get the benefit of the doubt as being a key factor?

One final, and perhaps most important question, needed an answer in this game. On the hottest day in Washington for the Redskins since 1996, would Zorn's team be better conditioned, the tougher bunch, in the second half? Would they stick beside him when his coaching did not look great?

That answer was resounding. The Redskins had plenty of reason to wilt. They outplayed the Saints in the first half, yet trailed 10-9. When Reggie Bush broke a 55-yard punt return for a touchdown with two seconds left in the third quarter, that score might have broken the Redskins' will. Especially since Zorn's unsuccessful decision to go for a two-point conversion with 20 minutes to play backfired, leaving the Redskins two scores (nine points) behind.

Instead, the Redskins stepped up, not back. "We left a lot of points on the field" in the first half, said Clinton Portis. "During halftime, Coach Zorn told us to keep fighting."

Every new coach asks for fight and every team gives it -- for a while. But early results can determine where a team keeps fighting all season and how confidently it battles in the close games. Now, the Redskins not only have a victory but a first-rate comeback, even in the face of booing from their own fans at times.

On his first home game as head coach, Zorn presented a complete contrast to Gibbs, who loved to delegate. Zorn was so excited he wanted to do everything himself, even telling the guys who held the shades over players on the sideline to get ice on their elbows at halftime so they wouldn't be too tired to keep his players out of the sun.

All too soon the first win fades and the next one must be added. "It's just one win against a good team. We defended our house," said defensive end Jason Taylor. "Now, we have 14 more."

Somehow, against the backdrop of the last 15 years and amid the doubt and curiosity that has surrounded Zorn, this victory seemed to count for more than just one win.