Terry Robiskie, right Reginald A. Pearman Jr. washingtonpost.com

Robiskie joined the Redskins as wide receivers coach in 1994 after spending 12 years as a coach for the Raiders. Drafted by the Oakland Raiders in 1977, his five-year playing career includes three seasons with the Raiders and two with the Dolphins.

washingtonpost.com: Welcome back to Airing It Out. Thanks to Terry Robiskie for joining us. We've got a bunch of questions following Saturday's loss to Tampa Bay, so let's get started.

Charlotte N.C.: I couldn't tell from the TV, but have heard reports that on the second down play of the final drive Larry Centers might have been open in the flat. Instead, Brad overthrew Michael Westbrook. Where was Westbrook in the sequence of Brad's reads, and was that the same play, but run to the other side, that won the division out in San Fransisco when Larry ran it in for the winning touchdown? Congrats to you all, Great season and Good Luck next Year. Hail to the Redskins!!!

Terry Robiskie: No, it was not the same play and Westbrook was the second read in the route called. Larry Centers was the first read. Tampa's free safety came down and showed a blitz look. In showing a blitz, Brad thought Larry Centers would be blocking, so he went to the second read which is Westbrook. Thanks for your support.

New York, N.Y.: First of all, thanks for a great year. My question concerns two 3rd and short situations in the Bucs game. The first was right before we kicked the first field goal. 3rd and 2 on the 12. Having watched every play this year, as soon as you lined up in shotgun with two split backs, I knew it was going to be an inside handoff. Why not pass? Same question in regards to the play before the botched field goal attempt. 3rd and 2, why not take a chance on a pass?
Win or lose, I will always be a die hard fan! Hail to the Redskins!

Terry Robiskie: First of all, when we line up in shot gun I don't know how you would have envsioned an inside run. The play we ran was our first time ever. We usually run out of that formation a strong side sweep. That was the first time we ran to the weak side out of the shotgun formation. As for the third down, before the botched field goal, we did not want to risk taking a sack on third down and knock ourselves out of field goal range. We felt the blitz was coming, so to be safe, we decided we would try to pop a run up the middle. Good defense, bad offense. Sorry about that one, thanks for your support.

Weatherly, Pa.: Tough loss on Saturday, Coach, but congratulations on a very fine season. We had a fun ride this year. I realize that Tampa has a solid defense, but I just don't understand how they took away our passing game in the second half. I thought that we could have exploited the middle of the field with some deep-in patterns and Stephen Alexander. It seemed like we had the Buc's defense on it's heels during the first half with a similar strategy. What are your thoughts? Thanks for joining us. Talk to you next week.

Terry Robiskie: Yes, I agree and at half-time that was our biggest discssuion. We felt like that we had those guys on their heels, the first half, and the conversation at half-time was to get back to a couple of those passes from the first half. Unfortunately, during the third quarter, we were unable to connect on anything, at which time we got away from a few things that had worked in the first half. Again, this is more of our being bad on our offense than Tampa being good on defense. More us than them.

Cincinnati, Ohio: On the field goal attempt when Johnson tried to pass to Sellers, don't you think pass interference should of been called on Tampa Bay? It looked like he was hit in the back before the ball arrived. Thanks

Terry Robiskie: Yes, but in that situation no one is going to make that call. It is fourth down to win the game. Everyone is looking for a kick; all of a sudden it is a pass. There is not an official in the league who is going to make that call. Too much pressure to make a call like that at a time like that.

Reston, Va.: At what point in the game did it become apparent that Stephen Davis' injuries were too great to make him effective in the remainder of the offense?

Terry Robiskie: At half-time Stephen Davis and Albert Connell both decided that their injuries were beginning to tighten up. And upon trying to play in the third quarter, both guys decided that it was too painful. So we decided to go with Skip Hicks and Irving Fryar.

Arlington, Va.: Coach: I heard one of Brad Johnson's explanations for the loss and he seemed to blame it on the last play. I was disappointed that he didn't admit to the interceptions he threw, throwing three yards when you need eight for a first down. It seems to me this loss should be shared among a lot of people on offense, not only Turk. I agree with Tre Johnson's assessement. I feel sorry to Turk, but certainly don't blame him for causing the predicament the offense found themselves in. What is your assessment? Good luck next year, however, and hopefully we will make it to the big one.

Terry Robiskie: Well, I guess my question to you is: Are you somewhat blaming Brad Johnson? I hear it in your voice with your statement about his interceptions and about a three yard pass when he needed 8. I sense that you are blaming Brad. I agree. However, just like Brad has a job to do, so does Dan Turk. If you don't expect Brad to throw a pick I don't expect Dan to snap it on the ground. So yes, I do blame Dan. I don't think that Brad was blaming Dan. I think like Tre, Brad was stating that everyone on offense was responsible. Everyone, including myself, that coaches offense, was responsible. But any guy with one job, which is to snap the ball, and he only gets three or four opportunities to do that, he too should be held accountable. If Michael Westbrook dropped the pass at the end of the game to win the game, I would blame him. If Darell Green got beat for a touchdown, the last play, I would blame him. And when Brad Johnson throws an interception, I blame him. If Terry Robiskie does not prepare his guys, and get them ready to play a game, I will blame him. So I promise you that when a center snaps the ball on the ground, I will blame him. Thanks for writing and your support.

Rapid City, Calif.: Great season Coach. I'm really puzzled, though, as to why Alexander, Westbrook, Mitchell and Centers weren't used more in the Tampa game. They were virtually ignored, in my perception, as the go-to, move the chains receivers. Alexander can beat nearly any linebacker, if the ball's thrown to him! Have a wonderful off season, and next year the BIG prize? Thanks --- David

Terry Robiskie: That question is a difficult question for me. Obviously, I never get to call plays to any of those guys. We did, however, call a few plays to Stephen Alexander. He either got knocked down by the linebacker or the ball got batted away. And of course one pass going to the left sideline, he dropped. Tampa did an excellent job of defending some of our basic plays and they did an outstanding job of defending Larry Centers. Things we usually are able to complete to Larry we had to throw it to our second read. So that is what happened to those two guys. As for Westbrook, we had a few things we tried to get to him and were not able to. But we must do a better job with that part of it. I will say this, upon the one play that we got hit with the sack fumble, Brad took the fumble waiting to get that ball to Westbrook. So again we as a staff must do a better job of keeping that guy involoved in the game.

Columbia, Md.: Terry, Congrats on a great season. I know it's hard to argue with a 4,000 yd passer, 1,500 yd rusher, and two 1,000 yd WR's, but why does it seem that the offense goes into a funk when the running game is ineffective? We should be able to spread defenses out with all of our weapons.
Also, do Westbrook-Connell quit on many of their patterns, and would you like to see a top-notch WR come to the Redskins?

Terry Robiskie: Of course, as a receiver coach I am always looking for top notch players. Of course, it must be top notch. I like the two guys I have and I think that they will both become top notch players. I understand your thoery about spreading the defense with all of the weapons we have. The thing we are very careful of is that when we spread out the defense and let everyone on offense just take off that makes us very vulnerable and you end up with a sack fumble like we did in the Tampa game. We all want to spread them out and attack, but you must be careful, because a sack fumble run in in for a touchdown is the quickest way to lose a game.

Davidsonville, Md: Coach,
Congratulations on your NFC East championship and your season. Can you explain the thinking on 3rd and 3 at the end of the game with the "dive" play with Hicks. I thought we had been moving the ball well with screens and swing passes to the backs out of the backfield and really didn't understand that call. Please explain.

Terry Robiskie: The thinking was that we were in field goal range. We expected Tampa to come for the blitz, so to avoid a sack or a sack fumble that would have knocked us out of field goal territory, we decided to pop a run up the middle. Bad offense, good defense.

Dulles, Va.: Coach, how come Michael Westbrook did not learn from Albert Connell's lesson earlier this season that you don't give the opposing team bulletin board fodder? He called the Tampa DBs "average" and had a measly 4 yards.

Terry Robiskie: Well, I think Michael was stating what he felt. I think at this level where we are all professionals, we are all competing, we can't be concerned with what goes up on the bulletin board. As for Michael having one catch for four yards, that sure wasn't Michael's fault because he cannot catch it if we don't throw it. He got one pass called to him, which was a four yard pattern, and he caught it, so to only catch one ball for four yards sure wasn't his fault.

Chicago, Il.: Thanks for appearing after an unbearable loss.
I think you guys have major potential for next year, considering the sprit around here, and your draft picks.
My question is this: What did Norv tell the guys in the locker room? How do you feel about the future, and did you feel this was a Super Bowl caliber team this year?

Terry Robiskie: I think we were capable of playing in the NFC championship game. I think we were as good as and better than all of the teams in the playoffs this year. So do I think we belong? Without question. And yes, I do see a bright future for the Redskins. I like our players, we have got some great picks and we should improve. The one thing Coach Turner discussed with the whole team is that when you lose to the Cowboys, on week one of the season, or you lose to Philly in Philly week 8 or 9, those losses always come back to haunt you. If we win those two games Tampa would have traveled to us as opposed to us to them.

Michigan, Ohio.: Coach -

It seems that very few players consoled Turk after the botched snap. Is their resentment toward him or hostility? Obviously, he made the most glaring error -- but he wasn't the only person to not perform his duties that game. I also hear Turk didn't ride back to VA with the team. Is that true?

Terry Robiskie: Yes, he did not ride back. Perhaps he stayed with family, I am not sure. It was his decision and his decsion only. As for resentment or hostility, I am not sure. I am sure that each and every one of us was disappointed in that snap. That was a heartbreaker and it will affect the lives of a lot of people for a lot of years to come.

Chevy Chase, Md.: Terry,
What was the offensive strategy in running three reverses: Thrash on the Skins' 14, the fumbled snap to Davis with a fake to Westbrook, and Westbrook in the 3rd Quarter?
Are they typically successful late in the year and against a speedy defense such as Tampa Bay's?

Terry Robiskie: No, the startegy was in such a big game, defense usually plays overly aggressive. So we felt they would over pursue and we could get a reverse or two. The play that Stephen Davis fumbled, that was a handoff to Stephen with a fake reverse to Westbrook. So we only tried two reverses.

Alexandria, Va.: Coach,
Congratulatioons on a great year, my question concerns the two turnovers. On the interception, it seemed as if Albert Connell slowed down. Why did he not at least attempt to break up the pass, much like Irving Fryar did earlier in the game. On the fumble, why wasn't there any help for Kipp Vickers on that play.

Terry Robiskie: On the interception Albert said the ball was a little behind him and before he could find the ball up in the sun, the safety was already there. He could not get back to try and break it up. On the fumble caused by Kipp Vickers' man, Kipp had help, Keith Simms on the inside. There was no help on the outside. Kipp, however, pass set inside on his protection which took away the only opportunity he had to receive help.

Springfield, Va.: Brad Johnson hurls a lot of balls downfield when the receiver isn't open. It worked earlier in the year but in the second half of the year and the playoffs it seemed to result in more interceptions than positive plays. Is he coached to do this or is he supposed to dump it off or throw it away in these situations?

Terry Robiskie: No, he is not coached to throw more up the field. He is always coached to dump it off to the running backs. However, the bigger the game, the more he is looking to make plays, so the more he decides to throw it upfield. At the end of the year people were just a little more aware of what we were doing than at the beginning of the year.

Ashburn, Va.: How much did Brad Johnson's groin injury figure into the offense's performance in the second half? Thanks for a great year coach!

Terry Robiskie: It figured in a tremendous amount. He was unable to move around in the pocket with his usual flair. He also struggled sometimes to push off on that right leg. That had a lot to do with his throw on the interception in the 3rd Q. So yes, his groin injury had a lot to do with his throws.

Silver Spring, Va.: I'm sure you've seen next year's schedule. What do you think?

Terry Robiskie: Brutal. Tough. Physical. If I am going to be here coaching we have got to go play it. It won't change between now and next September. So I have to make the best of it.

Villanova, Pa.: Terry:
Congrats on a much better season than most were expecting! Did the Bucs do anything defensively that you weren't expecting, if so what was it, if not why did the Redskins offense struggle so badly?

Terry Robiskie: No, the Bucs did not pull any surprises. They played physical like we expected and they made a few plays. But there were no surprises.

Ashburn, Va.: I know everyone in the 'Skins organization is disappointed with the loss, but I hope you all realize the excitement this season has generated for us fans. I can't wait for next season, especially if the nucleus of the team remains. Thanks for everything Terry! -and please tell me you're coming back next season-

Terry Robiskie: Yes, I think I will be back. I am never 100% sure. But I am 99% sure.

Washington, D.C.: What's next for the team? I read they had their final players meeting yesterday. Will the players stick around here to train in the offseason? When does training camp begin? And when will we know who comes back and who doesn't?

Terry Robiskie: The players are all headed home. Of course Darrell Green, Brian Mitchell, those guys live here, so they will stay around most of the time. Others will be back in March to begin training, mini camps and workout. At that time we should have held the draft so we will know who will be back and who will not be back.

Somewhere, USA: Why is the organization still considering a trade for Joey Galloway after the kind of
year Albert Connell had? Shouldn't you make
your key players such as Connell feel wanted?

Terry Robiskie: I think Albert Connell is negotiating for a new contract. I think he is a restricted free agent. The organization will probably have to pay him in excess of over 10 million dollars. If someone gives you 10 million dollars, is that not enough to make you feel wanted? As for the pursuit of Joey Galloway, you can never have too many weapons. Look at the Minnesota Vikings, look at the St. Louis Rams, look at the Jacksonville Jaguars. On every team there is room for one more.

Richmond, Va.: Coach Robiskie,
Above you mention that the problems with Saturday's game were more a case of the Redskins being bad on offense than Tampa being good on defense. As a fan that has watched the team through some tough seasons, that is my biggest concern. There certainly was improvement this year, but how do you get guys to react to that kind of situation and perform up, not down? Will you be able to get that out of this team next year?
Thanks for a fun ride. Have a great off-season. - J. Mitchell

Terry Robiskie: I think it is a combination of a lot of things. It is the players being nervous and anxious with the first playoff game and it is a case of the coaches having a few butterflies. So it kind of works hand in hand. Yes, I think that next year we will be able to get rid of all of that and hopefully perform better in that situation.

Bethesda, Md.: Can you compare the mood of the team this year as opposed to last year at this time?

Terry Robiskie: I think the mood this year was tremendous. I think from the start of mini camp, to the Tampa game there was a lot of life, a lot of energy and a lot of guys who were rady and raring to go. And it showed. The mood the previous years, everyone was coming to work and going home. This year guys were having fun.

Alexandria, Va.: Sorry the year ended the way it did -- but i think it was a good year. I would say the best thing this year has been the attitude of the players, and the ability to bounce back after losses. Do you agree?

Terry Robiskie: Yes, I agree with you , I think that 80% of the season was attitude. The players started out with great attitudes and we finished with great attitudes. Immediatley after the loss guys began talking about what it would take next year. So I believe it is all about attitude for this team.

washingtonpost.com: That's all the time we have for today. Terry will be back next week to answer more of your questions. Join us then.