Terry Robiskie, right, and receiver Albert Connell. (Reginald Pearman Jr. - washingtonpost.com)

Terry Robiskie, the Redskins' passing game coordinator, discussing Washington's next opponent, the Arizona Cardinals, said that the key battle will be between Arizona cornerback Aeneas Williams, a Pro Bowl starter four of the past five seasons and Washington wide receiver Michael Westbrook.

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, so let's get to it.

Laurel, Md.: Coach Robiskie...When your offense practices against the defense during the week, do you see the same problems on defense that occur during games, or are the defensive problems only showing up on game day? Good luck on Sunday!!

Terry Robiskie: The problems that occur versus our offense in practice are different. Because whenever we go against our defense they are showing us the opponent's defense, so, we seldom work our offense against our defense. For example, this week our defense working against us are all Arizona.

Greenville, N.C.: Hello Terry,
I think it is great you are doing this on a bye week. I have a few short questions. How is Albert's hamstring? With C.Thomas gone, who is the fifth receiver on the team and is that player active for games. Is the B.Mitchell half-back option pass still in the playbook?
Thank you

Terry Robiskie: Albert's hamstring is okay. It was not his hamstring versus Carolina, it was muscle cramps from dehydration. We only carry four receivers on the active roster. There is one receiver on the practice squad. No, he is not active. Yes, the Brian Mitchell halfback pass is still in the playbook. However, this week is a bad week as we tried it unsuccessfully last year versus Arizona.

Ocala, Fla.: I get the feeling that you would love being a head coach. With the apparent rise due to "your" receivers of the Redskins, wouldn't you rather continue with the 'Skins through, perhaps, a super bowl than to be a head coach with a team that obviously is further from play off or super bowl potential?

Terry Robiskie: Very interesting point. I would love to be here with the Skins on a run to a few Super Bowls. However, my desire to become a head coach and take my own team to a Super Bowl is far greater. If the opportunity presents itself there is no way I could say no.

5'9, 180, and Slow: Coach,

I offered my services last week, and you told me to watch the team and pray...I've got that down..been at it for years.

I think I could be your secret weapon. No other team will have a short, slow, stocky, curly haired guy on their team. Just let me know what to do.

Question: Is the team still focused and not over confident?

Terry Robiskie: I think everyone, including yourself, thought the team would be over-confident last week. We are continuing to work hard, improving, and hopefully, getting better. So no, I do not believe we will be over-confident.

Tempe, Az.: Terry, This Sunday night the new and improved Westbrook will face his toughest challenge of the year so far in facing Aeneas Williams. How much will the passing game rely on Westbrook and can we look for another 'break out'game from him. See you Sunday.

Terry Robiskie: I am looking forward to the match up between Aeneas and Mike. We need this game to see just how big a stride Mike had made. Yes, I think he can get it done this week versus Aeneas.

Rockville, Md.: Does your interest in Mr. Warrick diminish any in light of his recent behavior? Thanks.

Terry Robiskie: Absolutely not. I am not very familiar with all the details of what happened. I don't think he killed anyone, he was not arrested for drugs, wasn't arrested for any type of abuse nor was he a sex offender. Anything else I can deal with. Keep in mind, a lot of people lost interest in Randy Moss because of some problems in his past. Look at the year he had last season.

Laurel, Md.: Coach Robiskie, which receiver do you feel is better at running the reverse, Albert or Michael?

Terry Robiskie: That's difficult to say. Albert is more of a slasher and a cutter where Michael is more of a power guy. I think they are both very good runners with the ball.

Gretna, La.: Coach Robiskie,

We need you big time. I pray that the powers that be at LSU could offer you a great deal to turn around this once great program.

Don't know if they ever offered. But you would be a big time plus.

This fan prays to see ole number 16 on the sidelines in death valley on a saturday night.

Good luck to you and the Redskins. We would love to have you!!

Terry Robiskie: You would never have to offer me a big- time deal to come back to LSU. That may be the one job I would work for minimum wage. However, five years ago I begged them, begged for the job and it didn't happen. As we speak today, I have never been offered the job. But I would love the opportunity to return to where old #16 started.

Laurel, Md.: Coach Robiskie, what receivers around the league would you compare Rob Moore and Frank Sanders to? Do you feel the Redskins have more talent at the receiver position than the Cardinals?

Terry Robiskie: That's difficult to answer. I think, as a pair, those two guys are just a notch below the '49ers. I think my two receivers are capable of being better players. We just have to prove it for sixteen weeks.

Arlington, Va.: The Cardinals have been a thorn in the Skins' side since Coach Turner's arrival. Any change in approach this week or more of the same?

Terry Robiskie: Yes, they have been a thorn. We have had some success offensively against them in the past. Hopefully, we can continue this week.

Warren, Pa.: Hi Terry,

Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to chat with us about our beloved Redskins! Hail to the Chiefs!!

I personally believe that Micheal Westbrook and Albert Connell are going to have a field day against there overmatched backs, do you think so and are you planning to let Larry Centers get a little extra incentive this week against his old team? And has the attitude of the team cooled off a bit after a bye week? Lets hope not.

Thank You for your time, a 27 year Redskin Fan, Joe Ullo

Terry Robiskie: I think last week the attitude slowed a little, but starting this Wednesday, the intensity will pick up. I promise. Yes, there will be an extra effort made to get the ball to Larry Centers. Whenever a player confronts his old team, there is always an extra incentive to play them. I know Larry will be ready and he will meet the challenge.

Baltimore, Md.: Coach...In your opinion, what is Brad Johnson's favorite pattern to throw? Is his favorite also the one he is best at?

Terry Robiskie: It is difficult to say which is his favorite and which is his best. He throws a wonderful ball and he is able to
adjust on all of our routes. He might favor the 15 yard out route. However, I think he is excellent with the 18 yard in route.

Silver Spring, Md.: Last week you said that you were going to spend the bye week with your boys who play football. How did they do?

Terry Robiskie: All three were winners! So we had a wonderful weekend. No champagne in the locker -- just a lot of Friday's after the game.

Washington, D.C.: do you feel any added pressure to keep pace with dallas since they lost to philadelphia? this is and excellent opportunity to sieze control of the division. Thanks.

Terry Robiskie: No. There is no concern here about Dallas, we must handle ourselves and win our games. We are playing a division opponent this week and we must handle them, Arizona. Forget Dallas. I hope, if you are a Skins fan, you are getting ready to cheer against Arizona and not concerning yourself with Dallas.

Washington, D.C.: Try to be unbiased and tell me who has the most potential in cornerback dominance, Charles Woodson or Champ?

Also, do you think Mike Westbrook would take advantage of the opposing team more if he played TE rather than WR?

Terry Robiskie: I think Charles Woodson and Champ Bailey are of different styles. One guy is a Mike Tyson, one guy is a Sugar Ray Leonard. Both very successful, however different styles and different techniques. Michael Westbrook at TE - please. I am a receiver coach. I can't vote to give up my best player. Are you trying to get me fired?

Atlanta, Ga.: Does the return of Arizona tackles Mark Smith and Eric Swann change at all what you what to do on offense, like the blocking schemes?

Terry Robiskie: We are preparing to go right at those two guys. We think Arizona's defense is very quick and fast. So we are preparing to go straight ahead and not try to run sideline to sideline.

RFK Stadium :-): So who's better offensively? The Rams...or the Redskins? Just curious for the opinion of a coach...

Terry Robiskie: I am with the Redskins. What do you think? We will see, come week sixteen in the NFL.

Rockville, Md.: Thanks for all your candid responses. Being a position coach yourself, can you comment on the hiring of Mr. Arnsparger? Do you think it will be difficult for both individuals to work together?

Terry Robiskie: No. I think it will be fine. The two have worked together in the past. Bill Arnsparger once hired Mike Nolan at LSU. I think the biggest reason that Bill showed up here today is to be helpful to his friend Mike Nolan. So yes, I think the two will work together just fine.

Fairfax, Va.: I'm a big football fan and can get really wound up but the behavior of some Philly fans towards the injured Dallas player was awful. I hope that most of the folks in Pro Football understand most of us fans wouldn't do something like that. My apologies on the Philly fans behalf.

Terry Robiskie: The one place I would expect that to happen is Philly. I have been in Philly for a lot of games, I have played in Philly and I promise you, the one place I could see it happening is in Philly. However, I do understand the frustration and the emotions and the immediate reaction. I know as a coach on the other side of the field, if I was standing there and I saw Michael Irvin go down with one injury, my immediate response would be that of cheers, because I would sense that I our opportunity to win just increased about 50%. Philadelphia needing a win immediately saw their opportunity increase by 50%. Once the injury was reported as serious, and the stretcher was brought onto the field, it was now time to hush. Shame on the Philly fans.

Seymour, Ct.: Hey Terry, so will we see a little bit more of Irving Fryar this Sunday? Is there anymore news on Joey Galloway comming to Washington. Keep up the good work, and tell the guys I said hi, I bought a satellite dish just to get to see the games every Sunday, it's tough living in the land of the Giants.

Terry Robiskie: No. I think that the Joey Galloway issue is dead. I have not heard anymore talk recently. As for Irving Fryar, I am not concerned with seeing him more as long as when we put him in the game he makes the plays he made against Carolina.

Baltimore, Md.: Do most of the players show up at Redskin Park to work out on their days off?

Terry Robiskie: Yes. Most of the guys spend their off days getting in an extra lift or taking care of an injury. So yes, they do show up on their off day.

Bethesda, Md.: Hello, Coach Robiskie. Who is the best WR you ever played with? Who is the best WR you have ever coached? Thank you.
P.S. I know we don't want to stereotype, but some Philly fans are a waste of oxygen.

Terry Robiskie: The best receiver I played with is Fred Biletnikoff and possibly the best I coached was Tim Brown. But I am the guy who three years ago was quoted as saying that before he's done, Michael Westbrook will top Tim Brown. So let's see what happens.

Fort Washington, Md.: Terry, you deserve a lot of credit for the play of the receivers and the grooming of Connell and Westbrook. Before the season began did you actually believe that Connell would have the breakout season that he's having?

Terry Robiskie: Absolutely. I thought Albert was a very talented guy, and every game he played in '96 and '97 he made plays. So I believed in him even on days when he didn't believe in himself.

Baltimore, Md.: Coach...When you leave the Redskins to become a head coach, will there be a lot of Coach Turner's playbook that you will want to take with you?

Terry Robiskie: Of course. I will take it all. You always want to take the things that work and use it to your advantage. Look at the St. Louis Rams. That is Norv Turner's playbook.

Richmond, Va.: Players, fans and press have been emotionally charged over Brad Johnson and how he's leading the offence this year. If, heaven forbid, something happens to Johnson, how do you avoid a tremendous emotional letdown among the players. I understand that Peete and Weldon are solid backups, but I'm certain that, like myself, the players see Johnson as the key to this year's season.

Terry Robiskie: Yes, we do. However, if something did happen to Brad we trust the two guys we have behind him. Of course, there would be a let down. But I think we could keep it rolling.

Silver Spring, Md.: Coach: Do you have any practices scheduled for the evening this week to practice playing under the lights?

Terry Robiskie: We don't even have lights. If we were to practice under the lights it would to be our car lights. Our practice facilities do not have lights. But I promise you playing under the lights will not be a problem.

washingtonpost.com: That's all the time we have with Coach Robiskie. Join us again next Tuesday for another edition of Airing It Out With Terry Robiskie.