Sherman Smith to Fill Out the 'Z-man's' Coaching Staff in Washington

After thinking about it, the Redskins have all but made it official: Sherman Smith will become the new offensive coordinator for the Washington Redskins.

Smith had been with the Titans since 1995, so this was a move that he couldn't take lightly.

"No question about it, I'm really excited about the opportunity Z-man has offered me," Smith said yesterday, referring to Zorn. "I work for a great organization right now, and he's giving me a chance to work for another great organization. I've heard great things about the Redskins and I obviously know about Z-man and what he wants to accomplish. I feel really comfortable about a lot of this, but there is a process I have to follow."

Whoa. Z-man? Really? That's his nickname? Will he refer to Jim Zorn as "Coach Z-man" to the players? This has marketing written all over it. I mean, you know if the Redskins take off with Zorn that there will be superhero shirts/posters/stickers with Zorn in a ~~maroon and black~~ burgundy and gold superhero outfit on ... fists on hips ... with a big gold 'Z' on his chest. Ya know, something like this.

Oops. Sorry. This is about Smith. Let's hear more ...

"I go back a long way with Z-man, so he knows how I am," Smith said. "I gave [Fisher] my word. I promised him we would speak before I made my final decision, and that's what I'm going to do. After 13 years, I owe him that much. Also, I don't want to be someone who makes a decision and then vacillates. When I make a decision, I want my head and heart to be in the same place. I'm really close. I'm getting there."

"You're always interested in finding new ways to improve and working with people who can help you do that," Smith said. "Anyone would . . . look forward to working with my man Z-man and the staff he's putting together. I've talked to a lot of people I trust, and they've told me this sounds like a good move for me at this time in my career."

Sorry, I can't do this. "My man Z-man"?? Please stop it. You're killing me. I wonder if Zorn is going to have a sit-down with Sherman (or is he the "S-man"?) and give him the same speech that ~~Ricky~~ Rick Schroeder, ~~Debbie~~ Deborah Gibson and ~~Arnold Jackson~~ Gary Coleman had to give. Mainly, "I'm older now. Stop calling me that".

In all seriousness, this looks pretty good. Zorn needed guys he can trust and he's bringing them in to go alongside most of the staff that was already in place. Smith seems to be a very loyal guy, something we need in Washington.