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 our usual bunch of questions, so let's get to it.

Weatherly, Pa.: Coach, last week you said that the Redskins' offensive woes in the second half were more the result of our offense playing poorly than Tampa's defense being good. Would you say the same thing about Sunday's NFC Championship Game? I thought that the Rams offense could have taken more shots down the field against the Bucs secondary. Your thoughts? Thanks for joining us.

Terry Robiskie: No, I think that the Bucs have a wonderful defense. I know we could have done a lot better than we did. As for St. Louis taking more shots up the field that's a tough situation. The one thing the Bucs are known for is never giving up the big play. The more shots up the field may not have worked. Hey, the Rams won, they are in the Super Bowl, I am happy for them.

Washington, D.C.: Everyone is assuming that the Cleveland Browns will take Peter Warrick with the first pick in the draft. If they don't and take either Arrington or Courtney Brown will the Redskins take Warrick with the second pick or will they still go for defensive help?

Terry Robiskie: It's a little early to discuss what direction we may go in the draft. I, of course, would love to have Peter Warrick but I am not sure we will go that way.

Sacramento, Calif.: Thanks for taking time out for these chats and for the terrific season. I am sure your focus now turns to the draft. Other than Peter Warrick what receiver would you rate as the best all-around player? Who has impressed you? I am sure I speak for all the Skins fans worldwide when I ask that you please don't leave for an offensive coordinators position. The Skins need you.

Terry Robiskie: I have no plans of leaving. I did receive a few offers but I have no plans of leaving. It is too early for me to begin rating the receivers. After Peter Warrick I am not sure who the next receiver will be. But yes, I do plan to be here next season.

Herndon, Va.: Coach: After seeing what Tampa Bay did to the Rams, I'm even more impressed by the Skins' play against the Bucs. For the "off" season, what's your schedule like? I hope you get a little more time away from work. Do you do any scouting? Thanks

Terry Robiskie: First of all, I am not more impressed after seeing the Rams versus Tampa because I am still not convinced that the Rams are a better offense than the 'Skins. I am still disappointed at our output versus the Bucs. As for the off season, yes, I do some scouting but I also spend a lot of time re-evaluating last season. Thanks for your support, take care.

Bob from Ashburn, Va.: In the Joe Gibbs era the Redskins went to the Super Bowl with "B" quarterbacks. Don't you think that the present system puts too much pressure on the quarterback? A related question -- it seems like left tackle is the Redskins biggest problem on the offensive line. Can Tre Johnson play left tackle? What about moving the new right tackle, Jansen, over there?

Terry Robiskie: I am not sure that Joe Theismann was a "B" quarterback. I know Doug Williams wasn't a "B" quarterback. Remember, he took Tampa Bay to the NFC championship game in only his second season. As for Tre Johnson being able to play left tackle I am not sure that he can, and if we put him at left tackle then we are looking for a right guard. Jon Jansen is a right tackle and no, he cannot play left tackle.

Chevy Chase, Md.: Do you think the addition of Joey Galloway would really help the team? Questions of playing time and "why didn't he play for 2.7 million under Holmgren?" arise. Thoughts?

Terry Robiskie: I think that Joey Galloway is an outstanding player. I do believe that he can help any team that he would go to. I think that his not playing for Seattle had more to do with the signing bonus as opposed to the salary of 2.7 million. As for the playing time I would say if he's here and we pay him what he's asking he would have to play.

Glen Allen, Va.: Good season coach. How do the Skins plan to address the situation at left tackle? Will we go after a free agent or draft a young guy and hope to groom him?

Terry Robiskie: That is completely out of my jurisdiction. I have no idea what moves we will or we won't make.

Weatherly, Pa.: Coach, during the NFC Championship Game, John Madden made a comment about Rams wide receiver Isaac Bruce "pouting" because he wasn't getting the ball thrown his way. He said that it isn't uncommon for receivers to get that way when they're not involved as much as they would like during a game. That made me think about just how difficult it must be to deal with the egos of some professional players. Since you've been in the NFL for a while, is that the most frustrating aspect of coaching at the professional level? Thanks again for joining us.

Terry Robiskie: No, being able to deal with your players pouting is a lot like dealing with your wife. On those days when she wants to go shopping and you say no or the days when your kids want to go to the game room and you say no it's all the same. So I promise you that I am used to pouting. The most difficult situation that I have ever had to deal with is having a player sit on the bench who is better than a player on the field. The player on the field may be an older player on his way out. The young guy on the bench may be an up and coming star. But to not hurt the old veteran's feelings, we tell the young player to wait his time.

Staunton, Va.: Will Champ Bailey be used as a receiver any next year?

Terry Robiskie: I am not sure that we will use him on that side of the ball. I am more looking forward to Champ getting interceptions than receptions.

McLean, Va.: Hi coach. First, I would like to thank you for all your work in helping to make this the most memorable Skins season since the early 90's. I am wondering if you know much of the off-season training plans for Westbrook, Connell, Fryar, etc. Do you have any off-season programs that you recommend to them or does everyone do their own thing until it's time to go back to camp? Thanks again for a great year.

Terry Robiskie: All of the receivers like the rest of the team will take about 8 weeks off. Then we start training again. They will begin training in March. It will go four days a week and stick with the program until July.

Fredericksburg, Va.: Hi coach. Congratulations on a great year. Your value to the team in terms of assisting with the maturation process of Michael Westbrook, I believe is a true story that has gone untold. For that I commend you.
Desmond Howard, when drafted by the Skins out of a Michigan, seemed to have a terrific future in the pros but it never happened obviously. Why in, your opinion, would Peter Warrick make it as a great receiver and maybe return man when Desmond did not?

Terry Robiskie: I think a lot of a player's success is his direction. If a player is a great college player and he ends up with the wrong team and the wrong type of program, he will not succeed. I also think that a lot of it has to do with who the head coach and the position coach will be. I think Desmond Howard was in a bad situation. He was drafted to replace the irreplaceable Art Monk. Desmond Howard was not that type of receiver and could never fill those shoes.

Jean in Washington D.C.: My question is about the defense. When Richie Petibon was the defensive coordinator there was always a player -Curtis Jordon or Vernon Dean- who called the defensive signals on the field, so no one would miss an assignment. Whose job was it to do that with this year's team?

Terry Robiskie: I am not sure and I do believe that was one thing missing on the defense. I am not sure there was any one guy who called the defense. I do believe every team and every defense in football needs a quarterback in the secondary.

Washington D.C.: Terry,
I'm a starting receiver at the Catholic University of America. My question for you is, what can you recommend for me as far as drills and conditioning to improve my skills?

Terry Robiskie: One thing I always recommend to any young receiver is run as many sprints as you can run. 100 yard strides, 40 yard strides, 60 yard strides. As many as you can run in day. Forget running 2 miles, 6 miles or 8 miles. A receiver is a sprinter, not a long distance runner. One thing I always recommend is find a way to catch 100 or more balls a day. It doesn't matter if your girlfriend, your sister, your aunt or your little brother is throwing. It doesn't matter if you are 50 yards away or 5 yards away. Catch as many balls as you can.

Baton Rouge, La.: As a Redskin and LSU fan what do you think of LSU's new coach Nick Saban? Thanks for what you have done for the Skins and LSU.

Terry Robiskie: Thanks for living in Baton Rouge and being a Redskin fan. I am, however, too upset at LSU to comment about their head coach situation. Please continue to cheer for the Redskins.

Costa Rica: If the Skins don't get Warrick or Galloway do you think the offense would rely more on Alexander or Centers? It seems neither of those players had a year like they are capable of.

Terry Robiskie: The 'Skins getting or not getting Peter Warrick/Joey Galloway should not affect the play of Stephen Alexander and Larry Centers. I think Centers had a wonderful year, and of course Stephen Alexander can have a better year. We, however, must do a better job of putting Stephen in a position to make those plays. Trust me, we will. Thanks for writing.

Clearwater, Fla.: Terry, what do you think of using both backs Skip & Stephen as Tampa does w- Alstott & Dunn??

Terry Robiskie: I am not sure that combination would work. With Warrick Dunn and Alstott in the backfield, Alstott is the blocker. With our combination I am not sure who would be blocking for who.

Nashville, Tenn.: Coach, What changes do you foresee for both the defense and the team as a whole with the addition of Ray Rhodes? I'm more excited about the Skins next year than this year's Titans.

Terry Robiskie: I would think that we should all be more excited. Ray Rhodes is an outstanding coach. After all, the guy owns five Super Bowl rings. That even excites me.

Towanda, Pa: I know you get a lot of questions and I've read a lot of criticism about Norv's coaching and play calling. I think it's been good all season. does it bother you guys that people who don't know what's going on behind the scenes seem to be awfully critical? And would you say the season has been a success? I would think the two playoff games will make the team hungrier next year. I think you guys did great. I'd still love the skins if they were 0-16. good luck in the off season.

Terry Robiskie: I am seldom bothered by criticism. Even today, people are criticizing the Rams because they only scored 11 points on Sunday. People are always critical, unless you win it all. Remember, the Bills lost 4 Super Bowls in a row. People were always critical of what they did and how they did it. So until you win it all you live with criticism. As for the season being a success there's only one team whose season will be a success. That's the winner of the game this Sunday. When you fail to win it all you fail to succeed.

Nashville, Tenn.: Coach, what's your opinion about the under-representation of black head coaches in the NFL? For instance, was Art Shell even considered for the Jets job, a job that was given not to a coordinator, but a position coach with no head coaching experience? Thanks, and good luck with your head coaching aspirations.

Terry Robiskie: I have exhausted myself with statements and words about the lack of representation of black head coaches in the NFL. As they would say I have reached my rope's end. I am not making any more comments on that topic. Thanks for writing and thanks for your concern.

Washington, D.C.: It seems to me that, in general, the position of tight end is being de-emphasized in current offensive thinking. What's the reason for this? Or is my impression mistaken? -I don't watch every NFL game!-

Terry Robiskie: I am not sure that position is being de-emphasized. Look at Wesley Walls, the guy had a great year. I simply believe when people are giving wide receivers like Joey Galloway or Freeman in Green Bay 10 million dollars to sign, those are the guys that they are trying to throw the ball to.

Fredericksburg, Va.: Coach, I just saw a segment on HBO Real Sports about the selling of Super Bowl rings and in particular the case with Skip Thomas selling his ring earned in 1976 to a pawn broker in Kansas City. What do you tell the young players today to avoid a similar situation? By the way that 76 Raiders ring is pretty unique. Was that a little before your time with the Raiders?

Terry Robiskie: Yes, that was the year before I arrived. It's a wonderful ring. I try to tell young guys these days to protect your money and you should never have to sell your ring.

Alexandria,Va.: Coach, Are you a little surprised that Stephen Davis is seeking a 10 year contract? After all the average running back lasts less than five.

Terry Robiskie: Well, I am not surprised by anything that happens these days. Stephen's agent may be asking for a 10 year contract to help with a maximum signing bonus. The longer the contract the higher the signing bonus can be. So perhaps he is asking for a 10 year contract so that he can request a 20 million dollar signing bonus. That's the reason for a longer contract.

Havre de Grace, Md.: Coach,
We really enjoy these chat sessions with you. I look forward to them. Even though it is the offseason for you guys, I am still interested in what goes on with you all. So please tell us if you plan to continue chatting with us during the offseason. Do you think you'll be chatting with us when things start picking up again? Thanks!!

Terry Robiskie: I am not sure when or if I will be on during the off season. I will say that I will come on at any request of The Post. If enough people like yourself write in and request that they invite me back on, I am sure I will be back. I will be at Redskin Park everyday during the off season. With one phone call I could be online and chatting with you about the Redskins in just a few minutes. So if you guys want to chat just light up the lines at The Post. Request me and I am there. Thanks a lot, thanks for all of the support and please stay tuned to all of the actions of the 'Skins.

washingtonpost.com: That's it for this week and that's it for this season. Our thanks to Terry Robiskie for being a pleasure to work with and to all of you for your participation. Terry will be back. Stay tuned and see you then.