Terry Robiskie (Rich Lipski-The Post)

Terry Robiskie, the Redskins' interim head coach, said he expects a Super Bowl-type environment against Pittsburgh on Saturday in the final game at Three Rivers Stadium.

Robiskie joined the Redskins as wide receivers coach in 1994 after spending 12 years as a coach with the Raiders. A running back out of LSU, he was drafted by Oakland in 1977 and played for five seasons, three for the Raiders and two for the Dolphins.

The transcript follows.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

washingtonpost.com: Welcome back to Airing It Out and thanks to Terry for joining us. Let's get right to it.

Weatherly, Pennsylvania: Coach, with two games left in the season, and the playoffs seemingly out of the picture, how do you motivate the team? By this point in the season, I know there are many sore bodies walking around Redskin Park. What will you do to get them ready to play against the Steelers and Cardinals? Thanks for joining us, and best of luck in the final two games.

Terry Robiskie: Well, what I said to the team this morning is that the motivational factor must come from within. Each guy must simply look in the mirror and decide, am I a true professional football player? And if you are, then pride must come into effect. They must, and we must, motivate ourselves to be professionals and have a good game this weekend.

Raleigh, NC: Hi Coach,
Thanks for taking some time out of your schedule for the fans. As a fan who watches most of the games from my couch, I fully agree with starting Fryar in place of Connell. Can you comment on the reasons you think Fryar will be more productive, and also respond to Albert's criticism of the decision?

Thanks and good luck this weekend!

Terry Robiskie: Well, the only reason is to try and get more production out of the position. As for the criticism, there's a lot of things I must worry about; criticism of that decision isn't one of them.

McLean, VA: Is there anything you can pinpoint that went wrong during your first game as head coach? The Redskins were in a must-win situation against what was supposed to be an inferior team, yet they seemed to fall apart and bow down to the Cowboys. What happened?

Terry Robiskie: It's difficult to pinpoint how it happened, but I think what happened is that when the Cowboys jumped up and punched us in the mouth, we did not respond. I am struggling to understand why, but that's what happened.

Dallas, Texas: These guys are clearly "professional" football players (look at their contracts) so pride must not be enough. That being the case, what else can you do?

Terry Robiskie: You are thinking like a player. See, every guy who puts on the uniform, or who signs a contract for half a million, isn't necessarily a professional football player. It is often said, because you wear the uniform that doesn't necessarily make you a player. You think it does, but it doesn't.

Fairfax, Virginia: Terry,
Congratulations on your promotion.
Do you feel that with the injuries now across the entire interior of the offensive line that a short passing game would be the way to go, or would Jeff's ability to throw the ball deep keep you looking deep often? It seemed like we were running deep routes, but there just wasn't time to get those throws off.
Thanks for your time.

Terry Robiskie: Well, the problem we ran into was that when we ran the deep routes there wasn't enough time to get it off. Yet, when we ran the short routes, Jeff was looking for the deep route, and he should have taken the shorter throws. We will try again this weekend to run the shorter routes and get the ball out quicker.

Fairfax, Virginia: How come none of the offensive line came to George's defense when dragged by Ekubhan? No one helped out Jay when being punched by Alonzo Spellman? Do the players care about one another or is it every man for himself?

Terry Robiskie: That really is one issue which I addressed in the team meeting on Wednesday. The question I asked was, "Whatever happened to all for one and one for all?" "Whatever happened to we live together, we die together?" Nobody could answer me. I told the entire offense that I stood there in disbelief watching their defensive guy drag our quarterback across the turf and no one came to his defense.

Arlington, VA: Coach-
How do you feel about players conceding that the season is over? Stephen Davis said on TV the other day that the team will not be in the playoffs! So long as there is still a chance, isn't this type of talk completely unacceptable? Thank you, and good luck this week- this fan sure hasn't given up.

Terry Robiskie: I'm with you. As long as there's a breath of life, I don't think you should ever give up. I'm not sure when Stephen Davis made this statement, but I know Stephen Davis will never give up. That's one guy I will never be concerned with when it comes to quitting and giving up. It just won't happen.

Reston, VA: ESPN's Merril Hoge reports that the Steelers are going to blitz up the middle to force Jeff George to hurry his passes and make unforced errors. What do you plan to do to stop this in order to keep the interception/turnover rate down while on offense?

Terry Robiskie: Well, of course, just like Merril Hoge, we're watching the film and we're anticipating their blitz up the middle. To counteract their blitz we are obviously preparing some protections to solidify the middle.

Cambridge, MA:
How much truth is there to the claims of lack of motivation on the field? In your mind, have the Redskins been badly underachieving this year or is it more the case that several crucial injuries (at wide receiver, kicker, and the offensive line) were more crucial than anyone ever guessed?
Basically, is this team playing down to their opponents or are we simply not that good without certain key players?
I appreciate your thoughts.

Terry Robiskie: I think any time you lose a big-time starter, it hurts. And after a few losses, I'm not sure that we didn't begin to question our own abilities. But we have one last game after Saturday, and of course, come Saturday and the following Sunday, we must do all we can to fight our hearts out.

Germantown, MD: After what Emmitt Smith did to the 'Skins in Dallas last week, what changes in the defensive line have been made to stop Jerome Bettis, who is an even stronger up-the-middle runner?

Terry Robiskie: We haven't really made any changes. I think the fact that Stubblefield is returning will be a plus. It was a tremendous blow for us when we found out Stubby would not play.

Bethesda, Maryland: I'm rooting for you to keep the job for next year, Coach. Tell me, in what way does Jeff George have an advantage over Brad, that would make you start Jeff instead? They have both made critical mistakes, but Brad has helped beat some of the toughest teams (Ravens, Rams). Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions.

Terry Robiskie: My only thought process is, if we're struggling within the offensive line, then we should use the more mobile guy. The guy who can escape and get out of there if things break down. And I think Jeff is that guy.

Manassas, VA: I thought the special teams were worked on a lot last week during practices...why then was there no improvement? Do you think the talent is just not there on the special teams to be respectable?

Terry Robiskie: We did some things better and we improved in some areas. We simply had a lack of toughness show up in some areas. Some guys just didn't have a problem with being thrown to the Astroturf in Dallas.

Dale City, VA: Do you think Kordell can beat you if you put eight or nine men in the box to stop The Bus?

Terry Robiskie: I'm not sure. I would think in the NFL, on any given day, at any given time, any quarterback with his group can beat anybody.

Atlanta: Coach, can you tell us a little of what it was like when the players reviewed game film from Sunday? There were an awful lot of missed tackles on defense, missed blocks and dropped passes on offense. How did each individual player react when he saw himself on tape? And what did you and Coach Rhodes say to the players based on what they saw on the game film? Thanks for being with us today.

Terry Robiskie: I think a lot of guys watched the film with disbelief, hard to believe it was them. However, I think some guys watched the film and no matter what they saw, they wouldn't say it was them.

Fairfax, Virginia: There's an awful lot of focus on the players in this discussion, both by name and in general, and what they are doing (or not doing) and how that has caused some of the recent problems. To be fair, isn't the problem a little wider? What about the coaching staff and the ownership? What is their level of responsibility?

Terry Robiskie: Well, of course, a lot of the responsibility falls on the coaching staff and the ownership. It has always been my theory as a position coach, when a player at my position screws up I immediately tell him, "I don't blame him, I blame the person who put him in." If it's a guy I drafted, then I'll say to him, "I don't blame you, I blame the guy that brought you here." With that, I say to you, all the blame then should fall on the ownership and the coaching staff. After all, we are the ones that brought the players.

Arlington,VA: Terry,
You have a lot of people hoping you get the nod to be the Coach next year- good luck. This may sound like a silly question- but is football still fun for you? Can you still appreciate it as a fan? In that case, what teams and players in particular do you like to watch?
Thanks so much.

Terry Robiskie: Well, at this point in time, I think there's too much happening too fast for me to sit back and enjoy the game as a fan. So to answer your question, right now, I'm just working hard at being head coach. So no, I'm not having fun as a fan.

Springfield, VA: Coach, good luck this week against Pittsburgh. My question is regarding Coach Turner. You were on his coaching staff for a few years, what do you think is the most valuable thing you have learned from Coach Turner as a coach and a person?

Terry Robiskie: I think the one thing that I came here to learn was his variations of offense. His knowledge of the offensive game. I think I have learned that. The way he knows offensive football and the way he works to try to take advantage of every situation.

Ashburn, VA: How do you think the fact that this will be the Steelers last game at Three Rivers and with all those Steeler greats being at the game will effect how they will play ? Are you looking into that factor ?

Terry Robiskie: Funny you should ask. The one thing I talked to the team about the entire week is the atmosphere we will be faced with going to Pittsburgh. I have told my players, with all the old players coming in, all the flags flying, and the Terrible Towels, with all that stuff going on, we will have to realize it will be a Super Bowl-type of environment. And we must handle everything going on around us.

Washington, DC: I don't really have a question but I just want Coach to know that he is doing a good job with the team. We as fans can't expect an overnight miracle, when you give a 7-6 team to a coach with three games. I just hope they give you a chance next year.

Terry Robiskie: Thanks for the support and I hope so, too.

Menomonie, Wisconsin: What has been the hardest thing for you in taking over the reigns of the Redskins?

Terry Robiskie: What's been the hardest thing is to stay focused on the offense and what we're trying to get done. There's so many other things going on and so many other things involved that it's just hard to keep the focus.

Atlanta, GA.: Coach, despite what happened in Dallas, please don't tell us you are frustrated. This team needs your leadership for the last two games. Hang in there; this fan is behind you all the way.

Terry Robiskie: Well, I would never say I'm frustrated. I will say I was extremely disappointed with our performance in Dallas. That was both shocking and disappointing. But I'll try to bounce back this weekend.

Centreville, VA: Why are Skip Hicks and Murrell returning kicks? Speed and experience seem to be lacking. Why isn't Deion returning kickoffs and punts? He is still a vital threat.

Terry Robiskie: Well, if you noticed we used him a little bit this weekend on punt returns. Deion has never been a kickoff return guy. But we will try to use James Thrash a little more this coming weekend.

Ft.Lauderdale, Fl: Thanks for taking this time for us, Coach. How is Stephen Davis doing? This time of year it's hard to find anyone who isn't banged up, but playing with a broken forearm seems like it could slow a player down to say the very least.

Terry Robiskie: Stephen is hurting and he's in some pain, but he's a tough guy and I'm sure he will survive. He's a very tough guy and his arm won't stop him.

Somewhere, USA: With Chad Scott being burt a few times last week, will you guys go after the jugular and throw his way more often on Saturday?

Terry Robiskie: Well, we're not going into the game with our focus on Chad Scott. We're going into the game with a game plan and we'll try to do all we can to execute it. We hope to have a few opportunities to go after Chad Scott, but of course, Chad is not our total focus.

Farragut Square Park, DC: Coach:

Not a question, but more a vote of appreciation in what is clearly a trying time for you and for the organization. I'm a lifelong Steelers fan from New York who moved here in 1991. I was greatly turned off to the team as a result of the overwhelming media fawning (April's for baseball, not pre-pre-pre-preseason training camp news), as well as the deeply offensive team nickname.

Much of that negative feeling has dissipated over the course of the last two years. I want to let you know that your willingness to spend time and effort to share your knowledge and opinions with us through these Washington Post chats is the single greatest reason for that. And even in this difficult time, the fact that you choose to continue this ongoing interaction with us tells us just how committed you are to excellence, the franchise, and its relationship to this community.

Good luck, Coach. No one deserves success more than do you. You have some very classy men in your locker room; I hope they can thrive under your continued tutelage (that hopefully extends far beyond this month).

Terry Robiskie: Your statement is very highly appreciated. Your statement is, of course, one of the main reasons why I'm online today. I, of course, have been extremely, extremely busy with hundreds of phone calls per week, some asking me not to continue with my online show. But as you've said, all my life I've been a man of my word and when I commit, I commit. I committed to the fans of the Redskins and I committed to washingtonpost.com long before I became a head coach. You guys will sit and listen to what I have to say. During my happy times, you celebrated with me. During my sad times, I think you cried with me. And because of all those times we have shared, I truly felt a need to continue this show. Thanks a lot and until next week, please continue supporting the Redskins.

washingtonpost.com: Thanks again to Terry for taking the time to be with us. Stay tuned for details about next week's edition of Airing It Out with Terry Robiskie. See you then.