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

Terry Robiskie, the Redskins' passing game coordinator, discussing the Eagles game and Washington's next opponent, the New York Giants, said the offense will be facing a very tough Giants' defense but he has confidence in the game plan.

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: Welcome back. After the great week in St. Louis, we've got to deal with the awful week against Philly. Let's get started.

Redwood Shores, Calif.: Coach, tough loss on Sunday. It was, unfortunately, my only chance to see you guys at the stadium this year. Hey, stuff happens. I've looked at the tiebreakers (the media apparently hasn't), and you guys still have a very good shot at winning the division.

But the Giants are all that matters right now. You guys were able to open up a big lead on the Giants last time with some big pass plays. Are you confident that JT and Fryar can get open on their corners? Who's your #4 receiver this week? Derrius Thompson or Champ?

Keep working hard, coach, and good luck.

Terry Robiskie: Thanks for all the positive words. Of course, I need those. It wasn't a tough loss last week, it was an awful, awful loss. I'm not sure about all the tie-breakers this week and who needs what, but I am sure that we need to beat the Giants. Like you said, that's all that matters for now. As for my 4th receiver it is still Andre Reed. Albert Connell practiced the last few days, so he should play and hopefully he will be okay. Thanks for writing.

Boise, Idaho: Coach, on the third down play from the Eagles six yard line when George threw the ball to Centers and Larry was met head on by two defenders -- it looked like Irving was wide open to the other side of the end zone. Was that play designed for George not to throw to Fryar instead of Centers, or did George just not see that wiley old veteran run away from his man? (something ole Irving has done really well the past two weeks)

Terry Robiskie: It's a play that is designed to go to Irving Fryar first, Stephen Alexander second, and Larry Centers third. But it's the same play that Larry Centers scored on in the St. Louis game. The touchdown versus St. Louis was against the linebacker blitz up the middle. The Eagles brought the same blitz, so Jeff made the same throw. Unfortunately, the guy who was supposed to be covering Irving Fryar blew his coverage and covered Larry Centers. So a busted coverage proved to be a perfect coverage for them.

Washington, D.C.: In looking at how the Eagles played the New York Giants earlier in the season -- i.e., badly -- I was struck by the possibility that the Redskins' coaches completely ignored the game plan the Giants used effectively, twice, against the Eagles. The Eagles were never in the either of the two games against the Giants from the very beginning. The Giants used a lot of misdirectional plays on offense, and I don't seem to recall the Redskins doing that at all. Why not?

Terry Robiskie: Well, I think the first play that Skip Hicks broke up the middle for about ten yards was a misdirection. He started to the left with the left guard and the left tackle pulling to the right, and then he came back to hit the hole behind the right tackle. That was misdirection. Unfortunately, it was the one play where he hit up the middle, veered off to his right, and fumbled the ball. That was a misdirection.

Columbia, S.C.: I know that Stephen Davis did not play against the Eagles, but the offensive line opens the holes for him to run through. Why couldn't they open the holes for Skip Hicks and Adrian Murrell, especially with so many attempts inside the five yard line?

Terry Robiskie: There's a reason Stephen Davis travelled to Hawaii last year for the Pro Bowl. There's also a reason that Stephen Davis signed a $90 million contract. Because he's the better runner. He's got the eyes to see the holes when they're there. And I must say, Skip might have missed a hole or two. But that's why one guy is a starter and one guy is a back-up.

Vienna, VA: Coach, I am thrilled that Brad and Stephen will both be back this week. Are you of the mindset that they've had a week or more off and they will both be fresh, or are you more worried that they've had a week or more off and might be a little rusty? How were they in practice this week?

Terry Robiskie: I think practice was very sharp. I'm not concerned with their being rusty where their performances are concerned, I'm just a little nervous about their bodies' reactions to the injuries. I'm a little nervous about that first hit since the injuries.

Valencia, Calif.: Hi Terry, thanks for taking time to do this chat. Was that Philadephia game the most frustrating game of the year? Going into it you knew the only guy that could hurt you was McNabb and he did.

Terry Robiskie: No, Philly wasn't. For me, it was Arizona. Like you said, we knew going in the only guy who could hurt us was McNabb. Against Arizona, we felt the only person who could hurt us was us, and we did. That was the most frustrating.

Washington: Terry,
Why isn't Andre Reed being used at all in the receiving mix?

Terry Robiskie: I guess I'm having a hard time trying to decide whose spot I should put him in. Should I take AC out of the game or James? Or Irving? I just can't figure out who to put him in for.

Washedout DC: Coach, do you think it was such a good idea to get the Giants fired up by saying what you said about their coverage? When asked about your comments Coach Fassel was quoted as saying that was utter hogwash, that his men were in coverage just they had fallen down on a couple of occassions. Do you really think making public statements about you being 100 percent ready for their coverage now that you know how they are going to play you is a good idea?

Terry Robiskie: That statement was totally blown up by the press. A reporter asked me what led us to believe that we could hit some deep balls against the Giants. And I told him we saw a few coverages against certain formations from the Giants versus the Bears' formations. And during our game it came up exactly like we hoped for. The reporter printed it like I said the Giants' coaching staff was dumb and didn't make any adjustments, so that's why it came out the way it did.

Atlanta, GA: Coach, during the game against the Eagles, the announcers were discussing LaVar's injury and speculating that Ray Rhodes may have instructed him to be McNabb's shadow throughout the game. They speculated that once LaVar left the game, that left the speedy McNabb with no real "shadow." Was this the case? And if so, was another defensive player instructed to fill LaVar's role?

Terry Robiskie: That's very difficult for me to comment on. I have no idea what they're doing on that side of the ball. I'm too busy trying to find a way to get in the end zone.

Salisbury, MD: I'm confident you guys will emerge victorious this week! Do you know yet if A.C. will start yet, or just be used on certain plays?

Terry Robiskie: I'm not sure if he's going to start. It's a wait and see. We'll decide on Sunday morning, before the game, what we should do. He probably won't start, but if in warm-ups, he feels like he is ready to go, we'll go with it.

Inwood, WV: Terry,
Why haven't we seen more passes to Connell, Alexander, Thrash, Centers, Fryar, Reed, Hicks, Murrell, or Davis? Just kidding Coach!! My real question is, how's Westbrook doing and will he be the same receiver when he comes back next year? Will he ever be the same after all the injuries he's had in his career?

Terry Robiskie: Of course, we have no way of knowing the outcome. But I can say he's rehabing everyday and he's getting better.

Chantilly, VA: Coach, With AC banged up, do you plan on using S. Alexander even more than he has been used in recent weeks? Am I correct in thinking that he matches up pretty well with the Giants' linebacking corps? Good luck this week, and Redskins fans let's make some noise on Sun.!!! Hail to the Redskins!!

Terry Robiskie: Well, I must say I agree with you. We need the fans to make as much noise as they can. Scream every minute if you can. AC will be a game day decision. I'm not sure how much he will be able to go. I agree with you, we should have a good match-up between Stephen versus their strong safety and also their linebackers. I hope Stephen wins most of those battles.

Atlanta: Coach, thanks for being online this week. Injuries are part of this game. I think the Redskins and the coaching staff have done a tremendous job in the face of really bad adversity. I can think of perhaps only one or two teams that have it worse than we do. What is your confidence level that the team can gut out the last four games and get us to the playoffs given the team's injury situation?

Terry Robiskie: Well, of course my confidence level is very high. Like you said, we've got to believe in ourselves over the next four weeks. We're in a tough situation and we've got an uphill climb, but we've got to believe we can win all four if we stand a chance.

Reston: Coach, this is a team filled with veterans who realize the importance of this game against NYG. Have they been vocal this week with some of the younger players or otherwise played a role with them to make them understand that this is a huge game for the team?

Terry Robiskie: Well, I think that's what's so scary about this football team. A lot of veterans have been preaching for the last month the importance of every game, but for some reason some of us are not getting our points across. The veterans pointed out the importance of the Arizona game, the Dallas game, the Detroit game and of course the Philly game. But again, for some reason, I think some of the players are either not hearing it, not feeling it or not understanding it. I'm not sure which one. This week I think everybody is back to preaching just how important it is.

18th & M: The touchdown pass to Stephen Alexander was certainly a welcome sight. With Stephen's speed to maybe get by a coverage linebacker, why isn't he used downfield more? He's a nice possession receiver when used, but it seems he is capable of much more. Thoughts?

Terry Robiskie: I think we've been working, trying to use Stephen more up-field. Sometimes when we call certain plays they will have double coverage on Stephen. But we have been doing a lot more to get Stephen down the field. I'm not sure if you can remember last Sunday when we tried to hit Stephen on a deep crossing route about 20 yards across the field and the ball was a little bit behind him, so it fell incomplete. So we are trying to use him more down the field.

Gainesville, VA: Coach

As a season ticket holder and I life long 'Skins fan, I feel that I need, and have a right, to vent my current frustrations. I am commited to the Redskins emotionally and financially. My question for you is, How is it possible that our "Number 1" receiver is getting shut out constantly? He has 32 receptions. Almost every other team in the NFL has a number 1 receiver that is doubled and has coverage rolled to their side and they still end up with a 80 - 100 receptions. Is it the offense or the receiver? It is that simple. Something is not working. And please, no personal attacks about me drinking or sleeping during games. I do not drink and I have seen every game for the past 10 years. Thanks.

Terry Robiskie: Well, since you asked me not to attack you on a personal side and since you sounded very sincere with your question, I will try to be very sincere with my answer. I must first ask you who are you referring to when you say our "Number 1" receiver is being shut out? Is that someone that you decided was #1? Is that someone the press decided was #1? Who made that decision? If you're referring to Albert Connell, I think you will either have to come and visit with me one day and I'll explain it to you face-to-face, or I'll let you call Albert and ask him what he thinks face-to-face. But I will say this, there's a lot more to it than you sitting at home watching TV and deciding who's the #1 receiver and also deciding if he's double-covered or not. One last thing, you said all the other big time receivers have doubled Albert's production, I'm not sure about that. I think Johnnie Morton of Detroit only has 44 catches, and I think he makes about $2 million a year. Antonio Freeman of Green Bay signed for $10 million, and he's got 47 catches, about 15 more than AC. Let's take Keyshawn Johnson. Here's a guy with a $12 million signing bonus, and he's got 22 more catches than Albert, so don't tell me all these #1 guys has doubled AC's production. But again, you have an open invitation to come see me personally, just call first and don't bring your gun. You take care. Thanks for writing.

Hagerstown, MD: Coach,
I'm a senior in college and I'm an aspiring football coach. What are some things that you think I could do to improve myself as a coach in all aspects? Also, when you get a head coaching job somewhere, what are some of the things you will stress the most? What's your basic philosophy?

Terry Robiskie: My basic philosophy and the one thing I will try to stress more than anything is urgency. You can never overteach or overemphasize the urgency with which your team must work. They must do it in practice and carry it over into the game. Urgency, urgency, urgency. My basic philosophy to any individual or to any group that I coach is to always hit them in the mouth before they hit you.

Springfield, VA: The 'Skins still have a winning record, and are in line for a shot at the playoffs. This is still far below what was expected of this team at the beginning of the year. What's hurt the most, the injuries to three key starters?, the pressure from the very beginning of the preseason?, or is it the way that this team has lost games to teams they clearly beat every which way except the scoreboard?

Terry Robiskie: The last thing you said. Injuries, we can't worry about. Every team is like that. The pressure, we can't be concerned with. Every team is under the gun. The hardest thing to swallow has been the way we have lost games and, of course, the teams we have found a way to lose to. Without a doubt, teams we should beat. That's the hardest part.

NC State: Hi Coach,
Every week, we hear Norv talk about making too many mistakes that cost us the game. But isn't it true that every football team makes mistakes and that the ones that win score enough touchdowns to make fumbles, INTs, etc. negligible? And don't you think its unfair to expect your players to never make mistakes? For example, you certainly can't hang the loss to Philly on Thrash because of his one fumble when he went out and racked up 121 passing yards. I have a feeling some of these losses aren't just because of mistakes, but rather just sloppy play.

Terry Robiskie: I agree with everything you said. I'm not sure that what Coach Turner is talking about is to blame a loss on an individual like James Thrash. I agree, a good team must overcome mistakes and turnovers; the problem is when and where the mistakes and the turnovers happen. I would have much rather James Thrash fumbling on Philly's side of the field as opposed to our side. I would much rather we fumble the quarterback-center exchange on the 50 yard line, not our 15 yard line. Good teams might overcome certain mistakes but that usually happens against bad teams. You've always have got to be careful as to when and where mistakes occur.

Reston VA: Terry,

I see you mentioned the fact that the veterans are preaching how important the games, but indicated that some players just aren't "getting it."

As far as I can tell we've had some terrible luck, a heckuva lot of injuries and made some real stupid plays. But as a casual observer who sees most of the games on TV, it doesn't appear that the stupid plays are due to a lack of motivation or effort - more the opposite - players desperate to make a play when maybe they need to just not give one up. Is it possible that the team is two keyed up rather than not enough?

Terry Robiskie: I think it's a combination of the two. I think we're doing dumb things at dumb times. Some of it occurs because we're too fired up, but some of it occurs because we're not fired up enough. And I think when I mention that the veterans are preaching, that is what they are preaching about.

Reston: Coach, I will admit that I am not familiar with the Giants' current injury situation, other than Ike Hilliard. How are they defensively (secondary and linebackers) versus our receiving corps? As I recall from our game earlier this year, we had trouble scoring TDs. I know the coach you are and I feel safe assuming you've come up with a game plan that exploits their weaknesses and can hopefully get us in the endzone.

Terry Robiskie: The Giants are a very tough defense. They are very healthy with nobody out of this game. And I'm sure they're coming in looking for revenge. We have our work cut out for us, but I think we've put together an excellent game plan.

Oakland, CA: Raiders' season ticket holder here: whatever
happened with your Raiders association? Is there bad blood, or was it just time to move on?

Terry Robiskie: It was definitely time to move on. There was a lot of in-house fighting. We were starting to pull apart as opposed to pulling together and I felt like you couldn't win with that type of war going on. So I felt it was time to go. As for the bad blood, I'm not sure if there's any on the Raiders' part, but I promise you, there is none on my part. Al Davis is my adopted father, and like a father I shall love him until our time has passed. I may be his runaway bastard son, but I'll always look at him as a father. By the way, you should one day print this page and mail it to Al Davis. Tell him you were online with me during my show and you thought I said some nice things about him. So perhaps you should print it and mail it to him. Hey, good luck the rest of the season, all the way to Tampa.

Laurel Md: When Albert went down last week there was no sign of Reed. Why was that?

Terry Robiskie: After Albert left the game, Reed ended up playing on 3rd downs. Maybe since he did not make any receptions, that's why you didn't see him. But he's here. And he's going and hopefully he'll help us win this weekend.

Atlanta: The coaching staff put together an amazing game plan against the Rams. Your screen passes and misdirection plays were works of brilliance. Do these types of plays work for all the teams that we play or just certain ones?

Terry Robiskie: Of course, certain plays work for certain defenses. If you did the same things every week then everyone would be able to defend you. So of course, that is why we try to change-up every week. I'm sure you're sitting there saying, "If it works against the Super Bowl champs, then man, let's don't ever change." Well, sorry, but we have to.

Reston, VA: Coach,
What are some of your most memorable experiences from playing in the NFL?

Terry Robiskie: Well, I've had a few, but I'll give you a couple. I think my first would be the AFC Championship Game against the Denver Broncos in 1978. That was a great one. Also, I would say the "Holy-Roller Game" against San Diego in San Diego and then, the playoff game, the Raiders versus the Bert Jones Baltimore Colts. My last memory, and one I always try to forget, is the big game against Chicago, where Gary Fencik broke my rib. That was a tough hit and man, did I suffer. Or I could tell you about the long playoff game, the Dolphins against the Chargers, where I broke my back. Well, you said good memories. I guess I'm running out of those, so I'll see you next week. Take care and please make sure we win this weekend.

washingtonpost.com: Terry will be back next on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 11:30 a.m. EST to talk about the Giants game. See you then.