When Washington Redskins head coach Jim Zorn said Colt Brennan was just "doing OK" after the second preseason victory the rookie quarterback has rallied the team to, it touched some nerves here.

Why, people wonder, can't Zorn and his assistants be more complimentary? Where's the love in a 17-of-23, three-touchdown (no interception) start?

But they are missing the message. The love is there, if only you know where to look. What coaches, especially those at the college and pro levels, say is one thing. What they mean can be quite another.

Indeed, Coachspeak is a language unto itself. It is deeply nuanced and its meaning is best divined from reading between the lines rather than taking the words at face value.

So, in an effort to bridge the gap between, we offer a translation:

What Zorn says: "From my standpoint, I think he's doing OK."

What Zorn means: "If I said what I really think I'd have the other QBs either pouting or calling their agents, and who needs that in the preseason?"

When Zorn says: "He's having fun, but there's a lot more distance that he has to go. He shouldn't be strutting his stuff."

What Zorn means: "There are some quarterbacks on this team that shouldn't waste any time in getting their retirement portfolios in order."

What Zorn says: "Maybe I want more, but I want better technique. I want him to use the kind of techniques that are going to take him further down the road. Remember we were talking differently last week after the Buffalo game: 'Oh, Colt came down to Earth.' Well, now he's in outer space again."

What Zorn means: "Great, I'm a first-year head coach and because of this rookie I could have a quarterback controversy on my hands in September."

What Zorn says: "He has to become a more disciplined QB. Not risk as much as he risked in the game. This week it turned out to be a great performance, but it could easily have been the other way."

What Zorn means: "He's a coach's dream: Even when he screws up he has the ability to make us look good."

What Zorn says: "I just don't want to splash the water on him yet, you know what I mean? Here's the thing: He's had great vision, he's made some heads-up plays, and we've had success. I really like all that."

What Zorn means: "Modesty forbids me from reminding all you reporters and fans who it was that got the kid as a steal in the sixth round of the draft. But anytime you want to start patting me on the back it is OK by me."

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.