| The Washington Redskins
With Noah Brindise
Assistant Quarterbacks Coach
Friday, Dec. 13, 2002; 3 p.m. ET How is the team's mood after losing to the New York Giants? Who should Coach Spurrier put in the quarterback spot next Sunday? How should the coaches proceed with the season? Noah Brindise, a quarterback coach for the Washington Redskins, was online to take your questions and comments on the team, their loss last week and Sunday's game against Philadelphia. 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.
Noah Brindise: Hey everyone. I see we already have a bunch of questions. I will get right at it then.
Reston, Va.: Noah, D.C. Area Gator here. What are your long term coaching goals? We'd love to see you come back to G'ville as OC sometime soon. Noah Brindise: My goals are, first of all, to try and help the Redskins be great again. I think we can and will accomplish that. Obviously, Florida is and always will be a special place for me. I would love to be a head coach one day, run an offense, and do all that fun stuff. I have only been coaching for five years however, and I need to learn a lot more before taking on that kind of a challenge. I love UF but right now I am focused on making the most of an incredible opportunity here. Go Gators!
Washington, D.C.: Hey, Noah -- I need help with my fantasy football team this week. I need to start two QBs out of Trent Green, Steve McNair and Marc Bulger. Bulger is starting his first game after his injury but plays defensively weak Arizona. Green is healthy but tends to hand off to Priest Holmes more than he throws. And McNair always on death's door but comes back to play well. He is questionable for the game against New England's tough D on Monday night. Which two would you start? Thanks! (and looking forward to more great stuff from Ramsey!) Noah Brindise: Honestly, I don't know much about fantasy football. I do know that the Chiefs offense is playing incredibly, and that Marc Bulger has the best QB rating of anybody in the league.
Fairfax, Va.: I'm a UF Alum. Is there any chance you would at some point consider returning to Gainesville to coach the Gators? We need you and we would love to see the return of a Spurrier style offense. Noah Brindise: Well, I sort of answered this question earlier. Like I said, UF is a great place. But I love my job here also, and I love the area.
SIlver Spring, Md.: You're an old QB, and everyone else has played, when do you get your shot to play?! Noah Brindise: I'm ready!
Round Hill, Va.: Despite this year's fluctuation at the QB position, I'm a fan that has great faith in the eventual success of Coach Spurrier and his system. But hypothetically, if Patrick Ramsey puts on fair-to-average performances for the final three games, will the team search for a QB on the free agent market in an attempt to avoid another carousel next year? And if so, which of the possible free-agent QBs out there do you think would fit best in the Ballcoach's system -- Jake Plummer, Kordell Stewart, Mark Brunell or someone else? Noah Brindise: I appreciate the support. We also believe that we will eventually have success here. As far as next year, and beyond, we will make those decisions later on. Right now we are focusing on Philly. We certainly believe that Patrick Ramsey can be a great player, and now we are giving him a chance to get some experience and develop.
Bayville, N.J.: I remember you playing with the Gators, Big fan here. I coach QB's in High School, so I admire your job. My question is, is it weird coaching Danny Wuerfull, being that you played behind him at Florida? Noah Brindise: At first, yes it was a little weird coaching the guy I backed up and watched break all those records. Danny made it very easy for me.
Atlanta, Ga. via Gainesville, Fla.: Did you have any input on drafting Ramsey? Tell us the story -- honestly! Noah Brindise: I worked him out and rated him like I did all the other QB's in the draft. I don't make the draft-day decisions around here though. Obviously I was very excited to get Patrick.
Tampa, Fla. : Do you miss Jack's Place? Noah Brindise: You mean the little bar on the corner of main street and 1st street? The one across from the old Richenbacher's? If so, then yes I do!
Washington, D.C.: Surely there's no question about Q'back? Playing anyone other than Ramsey is wasting everyone's time. You need to see if he is the future, and you know the other two aren't. What's the question? Noah Brindise: I didn't know there was one. Do you have one?
Silver spring, Md.: So what is the team mood like? Noah Brindise: Actually, it is great. We have had some very spirited practices this week and we are ready to head up to Philly and hopefully play our best game of the year.
Alexandria, Va.: Noah, I'm a longtime Gator Fan and hope that Coach Spurrier does not fall to the criticism of Danny and his abilities by the fans and the media. What they don't get is that Danny knows this offense second to no one but Coach himself. Even if Danny does not start, he can help Patrick become a better quarterback. Do you feel the same way and/or does Coach Spurrier feel this way? Noah Brindise: Obviously Danny is a very intelligent person. He has a great influence on people that are around him. Patrick has learned a lot from him and certainly as coaches we see that. While we are on this subject, I just have to say that it was very disappointing listening to some of our fans boo him last week when he got injured. That was one of the most distasteful things I have ever been associated with. Remember folks, he has a wife and family also. I understand people's frustrations, but don't boo an injured player. This is Washington DC, not some other places, so show some class. OK just had to get that off my chest.
Kingstowne, Va.: If Ramsey plays well the next three games, is the guy for the future? What happens to Matthews and Wuerffel? Noah Brindise: Patrick is going to have every opportunity to be the QB here for a long time.
Weatherly, Pa.: Coach Brindise, I believe that Coach Spurrier is an intelligent man and a good football coach, but I can't understand why he didn't feature Stephen Davis more this season. If Davis ran more, the offense really could have played some "pitch and catch" after loosening up the opponent's defense. Why did Coach Spurrier seem so impatient with the running game at times this season -- especially given the fact that he had a Pro-Bowl tailback in Davis? Thanks for joining us, and good luck at the Vet on Sunday. Noah Brindise: Well, our offensive style has always been to set up the run with the pass. Unfortunately, when your behind in a bunch of games early, you have to rely more on the pass than the run. That said, most of our wins have coincided with a balanced offense. We are trying to win as many games as possible and are learning as we go.
Leesburg, Va.: What is your impression of Chris Simms? Everyone basically praise his ability but it seems like he chokes in every big game. Do you see him as a NFL QB? Noah Brindise: I really haven't gotten a chance to study him much. When the season is over, I will sit down and evaluate all draft-eligible QB's and have a better feel for him.
Re: Question: Yes -- the question is WHY the decision has been to flip-flop the Q'backs when the need has been to get Ramsey some experience? Surely the excuse isn't a shot at the playoffs -- that's been out too many weeks (practically if not mathematically). Don't you think Troy Aikman was a better Q'back in '90 because of the gains he made in '89, despite the pounding he took? It's an investment, and I'm concerned that the team isn't willing to make that investment. The other option is mediocrity, and we see too much of that on the courts and rinks of this city. Noah Brindise: You make a lot of valid points. Aikman was definitely better in 90 because of his experiences in 89. If I remember correctly, they went 1-15 that year and he didn't start until several weeks into the season when it looked like it was a rebuilding year for them. I think we did the same thing.
Bristow, Va.: Hi Noah, No question -- I just want to say thanks for the comments about the booing. Noah Brindise: No, thank you. I don't mind booing a players performance, it comes with the territory. I just think it was over the line.
Landover, Md.: Do the Redskins have any intentions of hiring an actual GM in the near future?
It seems a successful team requires a good GM, and the Skins don't have one. What about Ron Wolf? Noah Brindise: I'm just a ball coach! I don't have any idea about that kind of stuff.
Kingstowne, Va.: If Ramsey sputters against the Philly blitz, will we see Shane Matthews again? Noah Brindise: If Shane comes in, it will be because of an injury to Patrick. Let's hope we don't see him. Patrick will have an opportunity to go the rest of the season as the starter.
Herndon, Va.: After wanting to throw a brick into my TV set on Thanksgiving, I detached myself emotionally from the Giants game and enjoyed it, even though it was a loss. I think the Skins played fairly well against the Giants, but those dumb mistakes and fumbles killed our chances of a win. What kind of work does the team do to improve the players' concentration skills? It seems like this is something that should be worked on. Noah Brindise: We are definitely trying to address all those issues. We did do some good things last Sunday, but we made too many mistakes. Offensively, we had our highest yardage for the season. But we also had four turnovers offensively. Too many mistakes, but some good to build from.
Annandale, Va.: Who will you pursue in the offseason to get a sure-handed burner (or three) as wide receivers? Gardner is slow and drops balls. And he's the best the Redskins have. Isn't the Bills' Peerless Price a free agent after the season? Noah Brindise: When is the last time Rod Gardner dropped a pass? Don't let the nickname Bruce gave him last year affect your views of him this year. Rod Gardner has played very well for us. I don't have any idea if Peerless Price is a free agent, is he?
Lexington Park, Md.: What is the motivation going into the Eagles game at the Vet when clearly the Eagles want to finish off the vet with a victory more than the Skins want to win their first NFC east game? I would rather see the Skins beat Dallas because no matter what the Eagles are winning the East and headed to the playoffs, but Dallas remains a thorn in the side of the Skins. Let's just beat Dallas, go 7-9 and get a better draft pick for next season. Go Deadskins! Noah Brindise: I would rather win them all. I hope all Skins fans don't share in your views.
Washington, D.C.: Did you know that the Eagles have five former Redskins playing as starters? Brian Mitchell, James Thrash, David Akers, Shawn Barber and Ndekewe Kalu. Do you wish you had any of them back? I know a lot of people miss Brian Mitchell. Noah Brindise: I read that the other day. I wasn't here with any of them, so all I know about them is what I see on tape.
Alexandria, Va.: Coach, I am a lifelong Redskins fan (35 years). I play only as the Skins on Madden 2003 for the XBox. I wonder: did Coach Spurrier give Madden the playbook? each team on the XBox has its own playbook (though some teams share the same simple plays). What puzzles me is that the Skins playbook has very few screen passes or medium passing plays. Can you shed some light on this? Thanks. Noah Brindise: Yes I can shed some light on this. No he did not give them our playbook. What are some of the plays called? Maybe they stole our playbook? I am gonna have to check with Madden when I see him!
Pittsburgh, Pa.: How is Ramsey at making the unpopular plays of checking down (dumping off the ball),and throwing the ball away under duress? Keys to keeping a QB's head attached to his shoulders when you're playing Philly. Also are the Redskin's on the same page knowing where to go on hot reads are when the blitz is coming? Noah Brindise: Good questions. Spoken like a veteran NFL QB! Those are the things that can prolong NFL careers. Those are also some of the things he needs to work on as a young QB. As far as our hots and sight adjustments, those are very important against the Eagles and we have been working on them all week.
Noah Brindise: Thanks everyone. I'm off to meet with Mr. Ramsey. I will tell him everyone in the Redskin nation is pulling for us this Sunday in Philly. Have a safe and happy weekend!
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