Quotes From Sunday's Redskins Game
 

Compiled by Gene Wang
Washingtonpost.com Correspondent
Web Posted: Sunday, Oct. 28, 2001; 9:57 p.m. EST

Coach Marty Schottenheimer
Q: What went into the decision to call the pass from Kevin Lockett to Derrius Thompson?
A: It’s just a play we’ve had in the repertoire for a while, and the opportunity to use it was there this week. We had it as part of the game plan, and Kevin’s done it before. I told Derrius this week, “You’re going to get your first NFL touchdown.”

Q: Does this win do wonders for team chemistry?
A: I’ve been doing this quite a while, and the thing you have to have, as a player, to be part of a successful team, is trust. You’ve got to trust that he’ll do his job, and you don’t need to worry about doing anything but your own job. As I mentioned last week to our team, we’re beginning to sense that there is this reason to trust.

Q: Does this win turn around the season?
A: Go into the locker room and see what kind of people are in there. It’s important to them. They’re working hard. Let’s also not forget that crowd out there. I said it last week, and I’ll say it again, to me they’re something. I told the players when we assembled together on the sideline before the opening kickoff, we’ve got to bring our energy and with our energy comes the energy from our fans. Those two things together will not be denied.

Q: Can you talk about Michael Westbrook’s touchdown?
A: I wanted to compliment him on a heck of a route and a big, big play. It wasn’t very smart on my part though, because I ended up having to use a timeout. I was so caught up in the celebration with Michael that I didn’t realize we should go for two. It wasn’t a score we were expecting. I’m embarrassed to tell you, but I blew it. That’s why I had to take the timeout. I can’t do that, but I was happy for Michael.

Q: Does this win build trust among the players in your system?
A: Anytime you come into a new situation, it’s difficult because on what basis do they trust me? Just because we’ve been in this business for a while, you’ve got to earn that. Over a period of time, that happens, and of course the other part is it’s not only the way we do our business, but this becomes part of the Xs and Os. I’ve got to trust my teammate is going to do his thing, and it enables you to play more freely.

Tony Banks
Q: What did you think of Eric Metcalf’s punt return for a touchdown?
A: That was the biggest play of the year, if you ask me. A great coach’s decision to bring him in here. I’ve played with him before, so I know what he’s capable of.

Q: Did you feel you could control the pace of the game?
A: It’s just a matter of being able to take them out of their game, and we were able to stay in ours because we had the lead most of the game.

Q: How much confidence does this win give the offense?
A: Well, anytime you have success, I think it builds confidence in the whole staff, players included. It’s two weeks in a row, and we beat a good Giants team today, so I imagine our confidence will be going even higher in the next week.

Kevin Lockett
Q: Can you talk about your touchdown pass?
A: That’s a play we worked on all week. Surprisingly, it really didn’t work throughout the whole week, but when I caught the ball, Derrius was running his route. It was a great route, and everyone came up. It wasn’t a perfect spiral, but it got there.

Eric Metcalf
Q: What was the key to your punt return for a touchdown?
A: I thought I would get a pretty good return, and then I saw guys falling down in front of me because our blockers were getting out there. That gave me an alley to cut back and get up the field.

Bruce Smith
Q: What did you think of the team’s overall performance?
A: We haven’t had a game in which we had leads throughout the ballgame, and we were able to just tee off on them. That is a tribute to the hard work on the offensive side of the ball and on special teams.

Q: Does this win turn around the season?
A: I don’t want to go overboard about this. We’ve got to keep our composure and look ahead. The main focus is to enjoy this, and then our focus has to be on Seattle.