Steve Spagnuolo, A Coach Jim Zorn Can Beat

When the St. Louis Rams visit FedEx Field later today, Jim Zorn will face off against his almost boss, Steve Spagnuolo.The Redskins head coach search last year was the kind of odd affair that only happens in Washington or Oakland. Ben at The Curly R covers that misadventure in his series Almost Part One and Part Two. Go take a look if you need a reminder.Here are two more points. Spagnuolo either turned down, or was not offered, depending on who you ask, the chance to coach the Washington Redskins and ended up with the Rams. That head-scratcher that doesn't leave comforting thoughts about working for the Redskins.Next, the Rams are only the second team Zorn will face whose coach has less-experience than he.The Redskins faced--and lost to--the San Francisco 49ers in week 16 last year. Mike Singletary was coaching his ninth game as 'Niners interim head coach.John Harbaugh, like Zorn, was in his first season as Baltimore Ravens head coach when the Redskins visited in week 14. Harbaugh had an edge on Zorn in that his promotion to top bird was by a more stable front office and came as less of a shock. Harbaugh was working with better lines on both sides of the ball than Zorn. Baltimore has some foolish notion that you can win with average skill players if you have outstanding linemen. Jim Zorn did well to get Washington to 8-8, given what he had to overcome to get there.He was thrust into the job with little time to prepare.He was the only head coach candidate who could name his own offensive coordinator and running back coach, but he inherited all the rest of the coaching staff. Owners don't just hire the head coach. They hire his network, too. Teams start faster when coaches come in packs. I have a mental picture of Zorn meeting his coaches while asking directions to the men's room at Redskin Park. Going .500 in that circumstance is as impressive as Marty Schottenheimer going 8-8 with Jeff George and Tony Banks at quarterback in 2001. This rare occasion when our coach knows more what he's doing than their coach should work out to the Redskins' advantage later today.Become a fan of Hog Heaven on Facebook. Click here.Follow me on twitter.com/SkinsHogHeaven.