Terry Robiskie, right, with receiver Albert Connell 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 another edition of Airing It Out. Thanks to Terry Robiskie for joining us. We've got a bunch of questions, so let's get to it.

Weatherly, Pa.: Congratulations on Sunday's victory, Coach. I thought that the offense did a nice job of spreading the ball around against the Giants. Larry Centers had a nice afternoon, as did Stephen Davis. Last week, you had mentioned that Coach Turner is an aggressive play-caller. On Sunday, he did take his shots, but I am wondering how much the offensive game plan changed because of Michael Westbrook's injury. I say that because Stephen Davis carried the ball 33 times, Larry Centers was the leading receiver with 6 catches, and Michael only had 1 reception. Thanks for joining us, and good luck next week against the Eagles.

Terry Robiskie: I don't think we changed a whole lot because of the cast. However, the running game was going great so we stuck with it.

Annapolis, Md.: Congrats on the win, Coach. Throughout the game, the announcers labeled Westbrook as 'a decoy', was that the intention? And will he play in next week's game? Or will he be forced to sit out to let that wrist heal JUST a little bit more?

Terry Robiskie: No, it was not the game plan. He is not and will not be a decoy. He had five balls thrown his way. We connected on one, he dropped one and the other three we just could not connect. His wrist is healing fine. So he will play.

Bethesda, Md.: Hi Coach. Congrats to Coach Turner for a hard-nosed game plan and some inspired postgame fire in the belly. You claimed last week that Mr. Turner just won't run the ball 50 times in a game, but given the O-line's dominance and the sorry state of the Philly passing game, do Brad and the receivers still feel pressured to rack up points early or can we see the offense trying to bully the Eagles' defense a bit more this time?

Terry Robiskie: Hopefully, we can continue with the running game and pound the Eagles just the same as the Giants. If the running game is working, hopefully we will stick with it, if not, we will travel by air.

Washington, D.C.: Is Albert Connell trying too hard to make plays? He has made costly mistakes in the last two or three games.

Terry Robiskie: He is working extremely hard. I am not sure that he is trying too hard. I think he is playing a little too emotional. He is getting all hyped up before the game and just going as fast as he can. He is traveling fast but losing concentration -- just a whole lot of emotion. But I like the effort better to go fast and play hard than to not play hard. I'll try to calm him down a little. He should be OK.

Fort Pierce, Fla.: While Westbrook and Connell didn't have a big game Sunday, I was still happy to see some other players contribute to the passing game, like James Thrash and James Jenkins, and especially Larry Centers, who really picked up some slack. I get a good feeling that, even with all of our weapons, we still have a few waiting in the wings. Am I right?

Terry Robiskie: I don't know if there are any left. I think we have unleashed all the weapons. The only person left on the bench is Russ Grimm and he's too old. It was fun this weekend watching everyone make a play including James Jenkins.

Bethesda, Md.: Terry, don't get me wrong I'm happy with the win but please explain this: How is it we dominated the Giants yet they're still in the game with a few minutes to play?

Terry Robiskie: Because of the same reason I felt like we dominated the Eagles and in the end they were able to come back and beat us. Against the Giants we blew 21 points which allowed them to stay in the game. If you remember the fumble on the 1 yard line right before half that was 7. We missed Westbrook on a touchdown throw in the second quarter, that's 14. We missed two gimme field goals, that's 20. Yes, the game should have been over at halftime.

Killeen, Tx.: Privileged to ask a question of you Coach Robiskie...Born & raised Washingtonian now living in Texas but when the Skins win or lose it's like I'm back in N.W. D.C...How much preparation on your part does it take to breakdown a defense's weaknesses on a weekly basis & to be able to get your players on the Offensive side of the ball to put in that extra film work or repetitions for success on Sunday afternoons?

Terry Robiskie: We spend about 70 hours a week looking for weaknesses. It feels like 300. And sometimes we see things early in the week, sometimes we find them on Friday. There is no set time, it's whatever it takes to get it done.

Silver Spring, Md.: Speaking of weapons, I'm sure Irving Fryar was not happy about the outcome of the last meeting with Philly. He must be super-charged to get involved in a big way. Has he been pestering you about it?

Terry Robiskie: Yes, he was extremely upset about the loss to Philly. And he's driving me crazy to let him do more. I continue to remind him that he's almost too old. But Irv is a great guy and he will do whatever it takes to help get us ready this week.

Plano, Tx.: Terry, Let me start by wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving. My question is regarding Brad Johnson. I know a couple of years ago in Minnesota Brad had a disc problem in his back that caused him to lose strength in his throwing arm. It seems over the last four weeks or so that Brad's arm strength has weakened from the beginning of the season, as evidenced by several passes being under thrown. What is your take on this?

Terry Robiskie: I think it's more of the new type of plays that we are running. Whenever something is new to Brad and he is unfamiliar with a play he is late with the throw and when his timing is off it's difficult to get the ball out there.

Baltimore, Md.: As great a receiver as Irving Fryar is, it was frustrating to see him catching passes on routes that were short of the yardage needed for a first down. Was this a function of the plays being called, the defensive alignments, or was Irving simply making mistakes in running the routes too short?

Terry Robiskie: No. It was the routes that were called. A couple of balls were called to Irv at a deeper depth but he had to break them short because of a blitz. But I promise you it was no wrong doing on Irving's part.

Pleasanton, Calif.: Coach, with the establishment of a successful and potentially dominating running game, do you foresee Coach Turner leaning that way more in upcoming games to control the clock, keep the defense fresh, and get in an offensive rhythm?
Thanks.

Terry Robiskie: I think he will only lean to the running game if it's working. If not, we will drop back and throw it.

Silver Spring, Md.: Now that Jenkins is back, will that leave Alexander free to catch balls, or will he be needed to protect against a blitz happy Philadelphia? Are the tight ends your responsibility?

Terry Robiskie: Yes, with Jenkins coming back in the mix we can now use Jenks for protection and release Steve in the route. The tight ends are not my responsibility.

Laurel, Md.: Coach, how come James Thrash was in the game when he caught his first reception of the year on Sunday?

Terry Robiskie: Because we were using four wide receivers. Every now and then we use four wides.

Reston Va.: Good afternoon Coach, Is seems as though the offense and the defense are on different pages each week where as they are having to bail each other out. When the defense is struggling the offense steps up and vice versa. Do you feel that way and what is being done to gain consistency on both sides of the ball? Thanks.

Terry Robiskie: You are exactly right, and until both sides of the ball learn to help each other and be consistent our performance will be inconsistent. We will continue to work, we will continue to improve and hopefully both units will come together as one.

Taipei, Taiwan: Congratulations on a hard-fought victory. What have defenses been doing recently to stuff the high-octane Redskin offense on third downs, and what can you all do to improve third-down efficiency?

Terry Robiskie: We must continue to practice our third down package. As for the defense stopping us against Philly that was 7 turnovers and against NY two or three. That's ten in two games. So it's not what the defenses are doing it's what we are doing.

Silver Spring, Md.: Terry,
Is this group -receivers-where you thought they'd be at this point in the year? I think we fans can be real proud of the way Westbrook is hanging in and playing hurt. What's he telling you?

Terry Robiskie: He's not telling me anything. I am telling him. There's only one boss in my meeting room and you are talking to him. There's only one boss in my office and that's me. Mike says his hand is feeling fine, his hand is fine and I am happy.

Aberdeen, Md.: Coach,
Great hard fought win last Sunday! Thanks for helping to keep the drive alive. I know the loss in Philly is still painfully fresh on the team's mind. Since you just played them two weeks ago, how do you prepare to win this Sunday? Do you study the mistakes you all made in that game, or do you study how the Eagles lost to the Colts? -or something else- I know you guys will slap them silly the Sunday. Thanks again!
Jim C.

Terry Robiskie: Absolutely, we will study every mistake and try not to repeat any of them. I think that the Eagles were still celebrating their win over us when the Colts arrived – bad mistake. Hopefully, we will be ready for them on Sunday and will have forgotten about the win over NY.

St.Louis, Mo.: Does Brad Johnson have the arm strength to get the ball 50 plus yards down the field? The Redskins receivers have had to wait for long passes several times and I see that with the speed of Connell and Westbrook he could just throw the ball to a spot and let them go get it. It sounds easy but I think it something to consider. Thanks, Coach.

Terry Robiskie: Yes, he can throw over 50. Now when you say can he throw it 50+ I will say 50+5 or 50+10 but not 50+20. That's 70 and no, he cannot do that. A few times this weekend he was throwing the ball with someone in his lap and that's difficult to do.

Wilmington, N.C.: I am thrilled to see Michael Westbrook's passion, smarts, and dedication this year, but how effective must he be -with his broken wrist- to not be a hindrance to the team?

Terry Robiskie: We are making way too much of this broken wrist thing. It's a little bitty bone in his wrist that I am not even sure he needs. Look at Monday Night Football last night. Rich Gannon of the Raiders is playing and performing with a cast on his wrist, with a broken wrist. He's a QB. He uses his hands in every play to take the ball from the center. Let's not continue about Mike's wrist. His wrist is fine.

Washington D.C.: Who do you think will win on Thanksgiving Day... the Cowboys or the Dolphins?

Terry Robiskie: It's irrelevant who I think, it's important who I want and who I need. I am pulling for Miami. Forget what I think. That's a no brainer. Miami has got to win.

Richmond, Va.: How would you describe the Eagles' secondary? Are there any cornerbacks or safeties who are especially good and what would you say makes them so good?

Terry Robiskie: The secondary is pretty good as a group. I think Troy Vincent is the best. I think Dawkins the free safety is next, Bobby Taylor is third and Al Harris is fourth.

Silver Spring, Md.: Terry,
We were flagged for an illegal formation again, and then the formation was not set at the goal line. Are these formations new? Is Brad responsible for calling the formation or is that part of the play?

Terry Robiskie: No, the formations are not new but due to injuries there are new people in there. Stephen Alexander was injured and Mike Sellers the fullback had to go to the tight end position.

Baltimore, Md.: Did anyone on the team give Darrell Green a hard time for returning the interception out of the end zone? It looked like he was running out of gas when he was going across the field.

Terry Robiskie: Everybody did. Everybody reminded him that he's too old to do the things he used to do.

Richmond, Va.: Are the running backs your responsibility when it comes to catching the ball out of the backfield? I assumed as passing game coordinator you were in charge of all possible receivers.

Terry Robiskie: While I am responsible for the passing game and what everyone is doing, I am not responsible for the person. His position coach is responsible for him.

Des Moines, Ia.: Coach,
I saw Westbrook pulling players away from controversy a couple of times during the game. He has done a complete 180 turnaround. How do you get Connell to keep his head in the game? Does he need to sit and reflect for a game?

Terry Robiskie: No, absolutely not. The times he's making a mistake he is working hard and doing hard. He will learn from his mistakes.

Aberdeen, Md.: Coach,
I'm curious, were you present at the surprise party for Mr. Snyder in the locker room after the game? What was that like? Whose idea was it? It's good to know that you guys can relax and have fun.

Terry Robiskie: You can only relax when you win. Yes, I was present and it was fun. I am not sure it would have been the same had we lost.

Richmond, Va.: Hello Terry,
The Skins keep me on the edge of my seat and it looks like a photo finish this year for first place -hopefully you can sweep 6 but...
My question is:
Which defense is better Dallas, Philly, NYG or AZ and is it the talent or the scheme that presents the most difficulty in prep for the Skins.
Chuck A.

Terry Robiskie: Dallas is the best. There's more people on the Dallas defense who can make plays and preparing for Deion is a different game plan in itself.

Laurel, Md.: Coach... how often do the coaches come up with offensive plays that have never been run before, or were not in the playbook?

Terry Robiskie: Once a week. Every week against a new team we come up with a new idea. We may see something from the defense that they are doing which is extremely new and we try to take advantage of that.

Silver Spring, Md.: Terry,
How are your boys doing in their league?

Terry Robiskie: The boys are doing wonderful. We lost the championship and their season is over. They are doing great.

Herndon, Va.: Coach: Since you spent so many years with the Raiders, I thought I'd ask what was the toughest stadium you had to play in while with Oakland-LA and what's the toughest now that you're with the Skins, as far as crowd noise, the "intimidation" factor, etc. Thanks.

Terry Robiskie: The toughest ever was Denver and the old Cleveland Brown stadium. The toughest now, I am not sure. Could be Dallas or New York. Philly is very tough, also.

Laurel, Md.: Hey Biscuit, what do you remember most fondly about your playing days? And were there any defensive backs you dreaded going up against as a player?

Terry Robiskie: I played running back. So no, I did not fear any defensive back. I had a lot of fun when I played and a lot of great memories, probably too many to pick one.

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