Terry Robiskie, right, with receiver Albert Connell Reginald A. Pearman Jr. washingtopost.com

Terry Robiskie, the Redskins' passing game coordinator, discussing the Tampa Bay game and the team's next opponent, the Eagles, said Washington has been focusing on handling Philadelphia's blitz.

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.

Terry Robiskie: Hello everyone. Welcome back, especially after the big weekend last week. The big win versus Tampa. Let's have fun. Let's get started.

VA: Hi Coach!
This game is almost like a set up for Brian Mitchell's revenge. The gambling D against a patchwork offensive line, Deion's sore back, and Mitchell starts at running back. That scares me. What are you guys going to do offensively to try to negate the dangerous blitzing the Eagles are known for this year? By the way good luck and thanks!

Terry Robiskie: I would be a little afraid to give you my game plan. You might be someone from Philly. I will say this. We are expecting the blitz and we do have a package to protect ourselves and hopefully make some big plays. We will aggressively go after the blitz.

Jamison, PA: Coach, I've been reading about quite a few areas of concern regarding the 'Skins matchup with the Eagles this week. If the team had to focus strictly on one aspect of our game plan this week, what would you say it would be....? And by the way - I'm not a spy for the Eagles - I'm a transplanted Washingtonian, (and no, I'm not Brian Mitchell either)

Terry Robiskie: Thanks for alerting me that you're not a spy. And I guess I do trust you. The thing I will say that we have focused on all week is the O-line and the running backs being certain of our blitz pick-ups. We know the Eagles are a very aggressive blitzing defense and we have prepared for them all week. But the focus has been the blitz.

Richmond, Va: Everyone seems to be blaming the kicker for the block on Sunday but it looked to me like the line just went straight back. What were the coaches' feelings on this? At least he can kick into the end zone. Been a long time since we had anyone do that. Thanks

Terry Robiskie: Now of course, I am not a special teams coach, so you're taking me a little out of my area. I'm not sure what happened on the field goal block. I cannot say if he kicked it low or if we got pushed backwards. I'm just happy we won and I hope it never happens again.

Chico, CA: Coach, AC looked like he was about to pass out from the flu last week. He gave one gutsy performance. What speical problems does Philly present to your crew this week?

Terry Robiskie: AC did a wonderful job after suffering with the flu all week. He came out and played his heart out. I was happy for us and happy for him. The big problem this week is the Eagles at Veterans Stadium with their crowd, the crowd noise and Brian Mitchell getting them all fired up. I guess all those are problems. We've got to handle them. It's not the Eagles, it's the Redskins. We've got to handle us and let them handle themselves.

San Francisco, California: Coach, how refreshing it is to see the Redskins win a close, hand-wringing, character-building game in overtime. My question is this: all other things being equal, is the offense likely to run the ball more this Sunday following the recent reshuffling of the OL? Is it easier for the new guys to settle in and develop chemistry with more running? Or more passing?

Terry Robiskie: I think it's a whole lot easier to develop the chemistry through running. And I hope we can go to Philly and rush for 200 yards. If it's working, let's do it. I'm all for it. And if that's what it takes for the O-line to gel, I'm all for it.

Arlington, VA: The Eagles are tough at the Vet - two questions with regard to that game: Do you train for it on artificial turf (even though that may present a greater chance of injury during practice) and do you think the team will be able to get up against the Eagles after the hard-fought and emotionally draining Tampa Bay victory? (Congratulations!)

Terry Robiskie: We do practice one day a week on AstroTurf to get ready for the game. Am I sure the guys will be ready this week for the Eagles after such a big win last week? Yes, I am. I think this team knows that Philly cares less about what happened versus Tampa. We had better get ready for Philly and forget about Tampa. I think we did. I think our guys are ready.

Sterling, VA: How would you rate the Eagles secondary as compared to units that you have already faced? What types of things do they do well?

Terry Robiskie: I think the Eagles are very good with their secondary. Troy Vincent is coming off of a Pro Bowl season last season. He's an outstanding player. Bobby Taylor is very physical and very aggressive. I think the third CB might be better than the first two. Al Harris is a very good player. I think as individuals and their individual talent, they might be the best three CBs that we have seen so far this season. However, as a unit, I think Tampa Bay might have the best secondary in the league. Well, in the NFC.

Columbia, MD: I watched a little of the Eagles/Falcons game last week. Sometimes it appeared that the Eagles had more blitzers than Deion has hats. Do you think their pass rushing ability compares to Tampa's?

Terry Robiskie: I'm not sure their front four is as good as Tampa's, but I am sure they will blitz more than Tampa. As we say in football, these guys are some blitzin' fools. Every play somebody is coming.

Baltimore, Md: This week Irving Fryar, Ray Rhodes, Brian Mitchell will all face their former team. I know this provides a motivational edge. How much of an informational edge does it provide?

Terry Robiskie: I think for them it will present more information. Brian Mitchell knows more about us and our offense than Ray Rhodes knows about their team and of course Irving Fryar has been out of Philly for two seasons now. So I know a lot has changed.

Rochester, NY: When will Alexander become the force he was last year? With Centers being out the last couple of games I was looking for him to catch a lot of litle outs and underneath balls as an escape valve for Brad. Since the Eagles are a blitz-blitz team what are the chances that we will see Stephen bust out?

Terry Robiskie: We are trying to do a few things to get the ball to Stephen quickly versus their blitz. If you are Stephen's agent, I must say to you, like I said to Stephen, I have no idea what we're doing with the balls we are throwing. Albert Connell is complaining that we're not throwing him the ball. Stephen Davis is fussing that we're not throwing him any balls. Stephen Alexander is fussing. Irving Fryar is complaining. So when we come out of a game having just thrown 32, 34 or 35 passes I wonder who we're throwing them to. I surely haven't caught any standing on the sideline lately. If you find an answer, please write back.

Greenbelt, MD: Coach, I am calling you out! Strong to the mike as Doc Walker says. Do you have what it takes to respond? Your reaction to Riggo last week saying you should be first in line to be the next Skins HC after Norv.

Terry Robiskie: Since you can come strong to the mike, since you can pretend to be Doc Walker, I must respond. First I will say, I give thanks to John Riggins for feeling that strongly about something and coming out publicly and stating it. For that, I say thanks. I also, to John Riggins, give gratitude for his support and his belief in Terry Robiskie as a football coach. While I appreciate what he said, I will say that today let's focus and put all our strengths and energies into winning. Like I told my players, let's all focus on winning four or five games in the month of October. Tell John Riggins I said thanks, but again let's win it all and may the chips fall as they may.

Tracy, CA: Brian Mitchell in an Eagle uniform. After his performance last week, how scary will this reunion be?

Terry Robiskie: It should not be that scary. I talked to Brian Mitchell a few days ago and I reminded him that he's from Louisiana and so am I. I know his family. He knows mine. A lot of people I know have often said that he and I look alike. I look like his father. He looks like my son. So to that I say, a son should never whip a father. That's like Coach Bobby Bowden of Florida State losing to one of his sons. That just should never happen. That's like David Shula when he was head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals. He could never go out and defeat his dad, Don Shula. So tell Brian Mitchell I said as his look-alike father, remember some things are just not supposed to happen.

Austin, TX: The thing that worries me most about Philly is McNabb's running ability. Last year, QB's like McNabb and Flutie would convert 3rd downs against us with their legs instead of their arms. Do you think it would be a good idea to have LaVar Arrington be McNabb's "shadow"? Thanks.

Terry Robiskie: I agree with you that a running quarterback over the past has been a thorn in our sides. We must contain this guy. He's a very dangerous guy. I don't coach that side of the ball, but I do hope we are spying him with somebody. And I think we will. I know one thing, if we contain this guy, it betters our chances of winning.

Silver Spring, MD : Coach,
The Washington Post recently reported that the Eagle coaches claimed they learned quite a bit from you open practices the last summer. Is this garbage to get you thinking about it? Certainly with the shifts in positions, I can't imagine what they could have picked up.

Terry Robiskie: I think they may have learned a lot, but I think it all gets blown out of proportion. I know Dallas had a guy here every day, and I'm sure his being here helped their football team. But I also know that the Carolina Panthers had someone here every day. It didn't seem to help them. Tampa Bay had someone here. It didn't help them. And, of course, the games we lost are the ones that everybody said it helped. So I don't know what to say. But I do know, no matter how much they watched us, or they didn't watch us, we must still go out and play the game. Their 11 against our 11 for four quarters.

Arlington, VA: Coach, please respond... Did you watch any St. Louis games this year, and if so, what is your take on them? Is it all team speed and Warner being fast and accurate, or are they doing something odd that nobody has seen before?

Terry Robiskie: No. You hit the nail right on the head. Everything they're doing, we're doing. They're extremely, extremely fast. They are extremely, extremely quick. Their quarterback is extremely accurate, and their runner is possibly the best player in ball.

Great Neck, NY: Why do the Redskins so often complete a third down pass which is short of a first down and end up punting? This is a troubling trend.

Terry Robiskie: You sound like John Madden when he's broadcasting a game. I'm watching the St. Louis Rams against the Atlanta Falcons about three weeks ago. It's third and five and the Rams complete a three yard pass. John Madden begins to scream. Why would you throw a pass for two or three yards when you need five for the first? And before he could finish his question, the receiver catching the two yard pass broke the tackle and ran for 80. So when you ask why on third and 10 complete a pass for six yards, it's because sometimes you want to get the ball to an open receiver as quick as you can which allows that receiver to create a little magic. If you had a Barry Sanders and it was third and seven, would you be afraid to throw him the ball four yards deep knowing he was being covered by some linebacker out in space with no help? Now tell me, in that situation, Barry Sanders, one-on-one versus a linebacker in an open field. Picture that. Would you want to be defensive coordinator or offensive coordinator? Which guy would you choose? Thanks for your question. You should watch John Madden a little more.

Woodbridge, VA: Coach, I saw that San Diego released a reciever this week who may have some potential. I think his name is Mikhael Ricks. If Tre has to get surgery, would you be in the market for another receiver?

Terry Robiskie: No. I worked Mikhael Ricks out the year he was coming out of college. I thought he was too big to be a receiver in the NFL. If I had my way, I would sign him, bring him in, slap him around a few times, hit him in the head with a bat, make him tough and make him a tight end. If there's any toughness in Mikhael Ricks, he would be an unbelieveable tight end.

Weatherly, Pennsylvania: Congratulations on Sunday's big win, Coach. Going to Philly has been tough on the Redskins in recent years. Having been there before, it's easy to see how the rowdy Eagles fans can impact the visiting team. Everytime I go there for a Redskins game, I get harassed, and I am just a fan! Can the Veterans Stadium crowd really intimidate the team? I realize that you are professionals, but I also realize that you are human beings, too. Thanks for your time, and best of luck against the Eagles.

Terry Robiskie: I'm not sure any crowd intimidates a team. I know a lot of crowds help their team but not intimidate. If any crowd in any stadium was intimidating, it would be the crowd at Giants Stadium. That crowd is crazy. Veterans Stadium is a tough place to play. It's been a tremendous rivalry for the Redskins and I'm sure it will stay that way for years to come.

Columbia, Md: Coach,
I understand that defenses playing cover two have slowed down the passing game. What is more crucial to getting receivers open: (1) getting the right matchup with good playcalling or (2) individual effort by the receivers?

Terry Robiskie: It's a combination of both. I think you must always have individual effort. I think even with a bad call, a good player will make a play.

Greenbelt, MD: Hi-- We always hear that the wide receivers in the NFL today are bigger, faster, and taller than the NFL receivers who played in the 1970s and 1980s. In your opinion, is there some aspect or skill that the receivers in the 1970s and 1980s possessed that today's recievers lack? For example, did the recievers in the 1970s and 1980s run better routes or have better ball-catching skills? Thanks and good luck on Sunday!

Terry Robiskie: Baloney. The statement about the receivers these days being bigger, faster, stronger -- it's all baloney. I'll give you just a few. Charley Taylor, about 6'3", 212. Otis Taylor, Kansas City Chiefs, 6'3", 215-218. Mike Quick, Philadelphia Eagles, 6'2", 215. And of course, Harold Carmichael, Philadelphia Eagles, 6'8", 220. So when it is said the guys today are bigger, faster and stronger, I say baloney. People making these statements have only just begun to watch football. I've been watching all my life.

Joplin, Missouri: Coach,
From a Missouri fan, congratulations on the great win over the Bucs. We are fans of James Thrash. How is coming along, in your opinion? Last week you commented that the average 40-yard speed of a receiver is 4.57 seconds. What is James Thrash's 40-yard speed?
Coach, keep up the good work. We know it's pretty darn difficult when everybody expects you to win the Super Bowl game by 50 points.

Terry Robiskie: Thanks for writing. I will let James know someone likes him. James Thrash runs a 4.4 40. He is very strong and very fast. He is continuing to improve and becoming a very good player for us. See you next week. Again, thank you.

Lexington Park, MD: Terry,
I thought that coaches had to stay in the "coaches box" during a game in the NFL. I noticed Sunday that Tony Dungy came well out onto the field after almost every play, at least 10 to 12 yards. Also, after every penalty flag, he would go out to talk to any official he could find even if the official was near the middle of the field doown at the 15 yard line. Is there anything an official can or should do to keep the coaches off the field?

Terry Robiskie: Well, there are so many rules that we as coaches sometimes over step. I am one of them. I always over step my boundaries. I am sure Tony meant no harm. He was simply trying to make his point. That's football. And we all understand. Thanks for writing.

Herndon, Va.: Hey Coach, submitted this earlier but got no responce so thought that I would try again. With the injury to Westbrook, and our depth at running back, why not use Skip Hicks as a wide out or slot receiver? Is it too involved a process for him to learn the routes? He has tremendous speed and good hands, why not try it? Thanks and good luck in Philly, go Skins!!!

Terry Robiskie: I have absolutely no idea who you are, but I promise you if Skip Hicks can play wide receiver in the NFL, you can go become Bill Clinton. Trust me, you can run this country before Skip can become a receiver. One day when you bump into Skip, ask him his opinion. Thanks for writing.

Austin, TX: Can you comment on Fletcher, our new acquisition? He sounds like a moose. How far away is he from being able to contribute to this team?

Terry Robiskie: I would assume it will take him two to three weeks to get ready. He is an unbelievable looker with great height, great size, excellent arms and big hands. I promise you he looks the part. We will find out in a couple weeks.

Burke, VA: Coach, I have the pleasure of coaching on the field with your two sons and they are fine young men. Have you had to simplify the playbook because of injuries to the offensive line this week in practice?

Terry Robiskie: No, we did nothing to change our playbook. That's the reason you sign a veteran guy like Jay Leeuwenburg. Glad to know that my kids are helping you. Thanks for the compliment and I must say that I try hard to make them good kids. Good luck. You guys keep winning. Now if you are one of Brian's coaches, stop letting him come out of the game when he breaks a fingernail. You guys will make him soft. If you look out and see him crying, do like me and turn your back when he looks to the sideline. Thanks for writing.

Manassas,Va: Who is the best receiver you have coached and why?

Terry Robiskie: It would be difficult to say who is the best. I will name a few and let you decide. The first guy that comes to mind is Henry Ellard. Henry was a tremendous route runner and unbelievable at getting out his breaks. There was also James Lofton, another incredibly talented guy with a brilliant mind. And there was Tim Brown. Of course he had it all, size, speed, strength and also a brilliant mind. Well, I'm sure you can decide which one you think was the best but I'll say they were three pretty good players.

Silver Spring, MD: Coach, Have you ever incorporated something a fan, sportswriter, or TV pundit ever said into a gameplan? Honestly, do the coaches just laugh at some of the recommendations made by the Monday morning QBs?

Terry Robiskie: Yes, we do. The day I begin to incorporate what the fans say is the day Bill Gates calls me for advice on how to run Microsoft. Just like I'm sure Bill would laugh at me, I do laugh at a lot of things the fans write and say. But I need the laughs so please tell them to continue. You have the last question of the day, so today we make you Mr. Irrelevant. Thanks for writing and do come back.

washingtonpost.com: That's all the time we have. Thanks for joining us and see you next Friday for another edition of Airing It Out with Terry Robiskie.

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