Terry Robiskie (Rich Lipski-The Post)

Terry Robiskie, the Redskins' interim head coach, said the release of safety Matt Stevens served as a signal to the rest of the team.

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.

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

Tysons Corner, VA: Coach, first I want to say that I'm pulling for you to become the head coach next season. Do you think you will open up the playbook a little more this week with Brad at QB or still keep it simple? Other teams have had great success with the up-the-middle give while faking the end around and vice versa. In addition, how is Stephen Davis' forearm as well as his confidence level this week after several key fumbles over the past few weeks?

Terry Robiskie: I think his forearm is feeling better. I think he's ready to go. And I think Stephen is preparing to win. Hopefully, he can get it done.
No, I'm not trying to open up the playbook just yet. I think we're struggling as an offense, and the best way to protect ourselves is to keep it simple.

New York, New York: Considering the advanced age of Bruce Smith, Deion Sanders, Mark Carrier, etc., and the fact that they all signed long-term deals, with huge signing bonuses, do you think that if one or more of these players retires after this season, that the Redskins would have to let go several key players because of the salary cap implications?

Terry Robiskie: No, because if a guy retires it would help us with the salary cap, because the salary cap doesn't count against this year's salary. So when you're not able to cut a guy, you can then ask him to retire.

Chantilly, VA: Was the release of Matt Stevens to be made as an example for the rest of the special teams unit? So as to show no one is safe, and everyone's job is on the line...week in and week out?
Also, in the off-season, how do you find players with the fire to be "special teamers?"

Terry Robiskie: The release of Matt Stevens was a statement to say that everyone must do their absolute best and get their jobs done. During the offseason, you find the players with the heart and the desire through the draft, and of course, through free agency.

Owings Mills, MD: You said, just before the Dallas game, it would only take one game to decide whether or not you could coach. How does someone like yourself assess the ability to coach with the awful performance of the Redskins over the last two weeks? I personally thought you sold yourself short by limiting yourself to one game. I hope you get a fair chance to coach next season with a different set of circumstances.

Terry Robiskie: Well, it's like I said in my press conference, I would hope that when someone evaluates me as a coach, it has a lot more to do with the whole process and not just the final score. I think to be a coach you've got to be able to lead, you've got to be able to organize, and get the players to play. And you've got to be able to do all those things before you can win. So I hope I'm being evaluated in a lot of areas, not just the final score. I also made the statement that if Joe Gibbs was evaluated after his first three games, he would never have made it to game four.

McLean, VA: Coach Robiskie,
Now that it seems like the season is a washout, how are you going to motivate the players to come out on Sunday, give it their best, and not lose once again to the sorry Cardinals? This is a game where we have to show that we still have some pride left, and not get swept by Arizona. Do you agree?

Terry Robiskie: Absolutely. And I think the one word that you used is the only one necessary. Like you said, this game isn't about motivation, it's about pride. Every guy must take pride in himself and his ability, and go out and win this game because of the pride, not because of motivation.

Chesapeake, VA: You have been in the league for a number of years and have seen situations similar to what the Redskins are facing at this point. Do you bother to console the team after such a demoralizing season after such high expectations or do you take the approach that as professionals they need to suck it up and drive on?

Terry Robiskie: I think they must suck it up. I think too many people, too often, are patting us on the back. It's time for every guy to look in the mirror, point at himself and say, I've got to suck it up. And I think it's time we do that.

Germantown, Maryland: Reports have the Redskins trying to land a "big name" coach to lead the team next year. How have these rumors affected you? Do you think the nucleus of this team has the physical and, more importantly, mental ability to go deep into the playoffs next year?

Terry Robiskie: Well, I think we've got some good players on this team but I think as our record shows, we've got a lot of holes to patch. We've got a lot of work to do, and I hope to have a chance to get it done. I'm not concerned with who's being interviewed, I simply believe whoever the person is they're interviewing for the chair I'm sitting in, that hopefully with a win on Sunday, I can keep my seat.

McLean, VA: Coach-- I'm a season ticket holder and longtime participant of your "Airing It Out" chats. I want you to know that you have been my pick for head coach and you have lots of other fans' support to retain the job. My question for this week is, since Brad seems to look to the short game more than Jeff, can we expect to see a healthy dose of Centers this week? If so, you'll hear plenty of cheers from my section. Thanks for all your hard work, dedication, and honesty and I wish you and your family the best for the holidays and the future!

Terry Robiskie: Thanks a lot. Your words are very encouraging. And just like the Pittsburgh game, I'm hoping that we can get Larry Centers going early. I've always believed as Larry Centers goes, so go the Redskins.

Burke, VA: Coach, you have done a great job being thrown into no-win situation. I respect you immensely for the total dedication you have given to the team and the fans. Being a father how difficult is this on your wife and family?

Terry Robiskie: I think she's handling it extremely well. And I think my boys are having fun with it. They're reading the papers, watching television and just enjoying every minute. So it's been hard, it's been tough, but it's been fun.

Faifax Station, VA: In retrospect, do you think the Redskins were too hasty in cutting Brett Conway and should have kept him on the roster a couple more weeks while he healed and thus could have returned to fill what turned out to be the key shortfall position?

Terry Robiskie: Well, the problem with that is there was no way of knowing how long it would be before Brett would heal. If you could have assured me it was a week or two, I would have said yes. But we couldn't wait five or six weeks. That's too difficult to do.

San Francisco, CA: We've heard enough about what went wrong this year. Terry, what do you see as the bright spots that give you hope that next year might be better than this one?
And as an aside: Good luck, man. I hope Snyder keeps you around next year. Hasn't the guy learned that bringing in big names is not necessarily a recipe for success? I like what you're doing . . . but unfortunately I don't own the team.

Terry Robiskie: I think you should write a letter to Mr. Snyder and remind him that it isn't always the big name guys, sometimes it's the little name guys that get the job done.
I would have to say that if there is a bright spot, it would be the three guys who made the Pro Bowl. It wasn't our big name free agents that we signed, it was three guys that I put into the "get dirty" group: Work hard, get on all fours, get in the dirt, get dirty. So I think having those three guys going to the Pro Bowl is a bright spot, for them and for us.

Washington, DC: The press has been pretty tough on the players. Do you think the criticism has been fair?

Terry Robiskie: Yes, most of it. I think whenever we're not performing well, when the coaches are not coaching well, the players are not playing well, the press has got a right to criticize. And whatever shots they take, we deserve.

LaPlata, Maryland: Why should Brad Johnson play with any heart after the rough treatment from media, staff, and owner. Yes, I realize what being a professional is all about, but gee whiz!

Terry Robiskie: Because Brad Johnson, like most of us, may be looking for employment in another week. And whenever you're auditioning for a job, I think you must give it your all. And I think Brad still wants to go out with a win and go out proving that he's a Pro Bowl quarterback. Remember, Brad is trying to get a new contract at the end of the season. I think he will perform well.

San Francisco, CA: Coach, I know you are throwing your heart into this thing, and are feeling the pain (as the fans are). My number one complaint this year was that Champ Bailey was not worked in as a wide receiver. I thought right after Westbrook went down, Champ should have been turned into a two-way player (20-25 snaps a game at wideout). He would be able to stretch defenses. He would often have been a decoy, but also a big-time deep threat. I understand injury concerns, but desperate times call for desperate measures! Please comment.

Terry Robiskie: I agree with you and we will use Champ a little more this weekend. Now, I'm sure you're saying too little, too late. However, Champ did make the Pro Bowl as a starter at his defensive cornerback position. It would have been real difficult for Champ to play on both sides of the ball and be 100 percent healthy all season. The most difficult part was to try to teach him the offensive passing game as a part-time player. If you remember, Champ started the game at wide receiver versus Baltimore. First play of the game he ran his route wrong. So again, to try to teach him all the little things about playing receiver is almost impossible.

Alexandria, VA: Coach, who do you rely on for advice and to share ideas? Do you talk a lot with Art Shell? How about Charlie McLendon?

Terry Robiskie: No, I talk with a lot of friends I have around the league, but I think my number one guy is Ron Wolf, the GM of the Packers.

Sterling, Virginia: Not much has been made about the key injuries to the offensive line and receivers. Was it the injuries to the receivers or offensive line that hurt the Redskins the most this season?

Terry Robiskie: Well, I think a lot was made of it when it first happened, but I think after a while to continue to talk about it was redundant. So at some point in time we had to quit. To pinpoint one or the other, that's too difficult to do. Both injuries at both positons were very, very costly.

Damascus, MD: Terry, first off, best of luck to you ... I sincerely hope you get the job here. My question is this--how important is it to a team like this one to get rid of the uncertainty over who is the coach? Is it especially importantt to get this settled "right now" as opposed to later, and why?

Terry Robiskie: Well, I'm not sure that you must rush into anything. It's not like college where you've got to hurry because you've got to go out and recruit. Here, of course, there is no recruiting, so there's no need to hurry. I think it's more important to make the right decision than to make a hasty decision. So I hope we don't rush it. Thanks for writing. See you guys next week.

washingtonpost.com: That's all the time we have for today, and thanks again to Terry for joining us. We'll be back next Thursday, the 28th, at 3 p.m. See you then.

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