jbooma Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 Sports: Redskins Outlook for the Season Mark Maske Washington Post Staff Writer Thursday, December 4, 2003; 10:45 AM The Washington Redskins are making plans to bring in Tim Hasselbeck in place of Patrick Ramsey as quarterback for Sunday's game against the New York Giants. Recently, offensive coordinator Hue Jackson interviewed for the head coaching job at Duke University. How does the rest of the season look for the Redskins? Washington Post staff writer Mark Maske was online to discuss the team, the coach and the season. The transcript follows. Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. ________________________________________________ Mark Maske: We've had a while off from this with the holiday, so let's get started. _______________________ Clinton, Md.: Mark There seems to be a lot of outward support for George Edwards. How much of this is players wanting to stick with the one coordinator for consecutive years and how much is the players truly buying into Edward's system? They are woefully out of place on many crucial plays i.e. 3rd and longs, etc. Is that coaching or the players? Mark Maske: A lot of it is just not wanting to see a new person come in who might shake things up--and cost some people their jobs. It's not very often that you're going to see a player come out and say publicly, "This coach needs to go.'' _______________________ Boston, Mass.: whats up mr. maske, thanks for doing this each week. as a student in boston i do my best to keep up with my team. hail to the redskins right? maybe its cause i dont live in the dc area anymore but to me this season does not seem like a total loss. or even a dissapointment. we have lost some heartbreakers... but they have not looked as bad a last year. we found that we have a quaterback who can lead an offense (consecutive comebacks from 17 and 18 points). we even seem to have a viable backup. a star reciever is in place (i cant wait to see some ramsey/coles chemistry next year), and possibly a running back tandem. what do you think the outlook for next year is? i think playoffs and maybe a super bowl. will the redskins try to keep darrell russell? will they go after a pass rusher in the offseason? do we need more offensive weapons? thanks nick Mark Maske: I think they are closer to being a good team than it looks right now. I do think they will re-sign Darrell Russell. From a player perspective, the main offseason priority, I think, should be a speed pass rusher, and then the other things are more filling in around the edges--a tight end, a safety, maybe a running back, maybe a linebacker. _______________________ Fairfax, Va.: It just seems to me that no one really "enjoys" working for the Reskins organization. The Skins seem to be "micro-managed" from the top. Do you think this could be a reason for the overall attitude on the field, in interviews, and thus translate to poor play from the team? Mark Maske: It's difficult to enjoy working for a losing organization, and that's what the Redskins mostly have been for the last decade, before Dan Snyder arrived. My first year covering the team was 1998, when the team started 0-7. No one around this place was very happy and no one here had even heard of Dan Snyder at that point. _______________________ Deerfield Beach, Fla.: Hi Mark, Chad Morton finally returned a kick for a touchdown, which showed us what he's capable of if he has some decent blocking. All in all, the four "JetSkins" have turned out to be very good free agent pickups, probably the four best since Snyder took over. Are the Redskins going to follow a similar strategy this offseason? That is, trading draft picks for young, proven free agents? Mark Maske: I think the Redskins realize that was something you can only do once, at least en masse. They might try that with one of their draft picks. But they need an infusion of young, cheap, talented players--the kind you get by keeping your draft choices and using them wisely, not swapping them for restricted free agents. _______________________ Sterling, Va.: Do we have a new starting center? From what I read, Coach Spurrier seems to think Friedman has earned the job. I think the line has had less false start penalties since he's been in and better pass protection in recent games. Mark Maske: I think Lennie Friedman will remain the starting center the rest of the season and probably will have the job heading into next season. _______________________ Hinesville, Ga.: Hey Mark, things haven't worked out they the Redskins had wished but the way the league has been going with losing streaks in Tampa, Dallas, New York and Minnesota the Redskins are still mathematically alive, I say some chance is better than no chance ask the people who survived the Titanic if the skins do something with the Giants this week a win will kill N.Y. but keep the skins slim hopes alive but htey must run the table the rest of the way real fans will not quit do you think they will make a run at this slim chance. Mark Maske: The world needs optimists, I guess. But I wouldn't wager any significant portion of your income on the Redskins getting to the playoffs this season. They're done. _______________________ McLean, Va.: The Redskins are clearly stuck in the same rut that has plagued them over the last seven years. It seems clear that when a franchise enters a period in which it suffers losing season, it is normally due to a failure of management. Under Snyder, the Redskins have never had a plan, never stuck to a plan, and never carried out moves necessary to enact the plan. If you were in charge now, what key elements would you address for the next few seasons? Mark Maske: They do seem to have a plan right now, actually, but it hinges on Steve Spurrier staying around and heading into next season with this core of players, plus some additions. I think the keys are to improve the coaching staff around Spurrier and fix the defense, most notably up front. _______________________ Deerfield Beach, Fla.: Hi Mark, The Skins seem to have a glut of talented WRs - what changes do you see happening with this group in the offseason? Will Patrick Johnson and McCants both be back? Are we going to see more playing time for Taylor Jacobs and Cliff Russell in these last four games? Thanks! Mark Maske: I think the Redskins would be perfectly happy to head into next season with their current group of receivers. Rod Gardner hasn't had a great season and might have some trade value in the offseason, but I don't sense a great amount of sentiment to get rid of him unless an overwhelming offer comes along. I do think you will see Jacobs play more down the stretch. _______________________ Detroit, Mich.: Isn't it time to blow the defense up entirely? Are we really going to keep paying LaVar Ray Lewis type money to do 1/4 of what Ray Lewis does? Obvious needs for the starting D unit include a new line (all we have our back-ups playing now), at least two new LBs, at least one safety, and possibly a CB if Champ continues with his demands. Injuries are part of it, but Champ is having an awful year and continues to get picked on every game. Has Fred Smoot been playing the entire time the last three games? If so, he has gone completely unnoticed, which to me means he is playing extremely well. Granted, he doesn't go against the other team's top WR, but if he has been in the entire time, he is outplaying Champ. Why not build your secondary around Smoot, who would be a lot cheaper to lock up long-term after his contract expires after next season and spend the Champ savings on a new front seven? Mark Maske: I do think Smoot has played well, but you are judging him based on what he's doing with Champ on the other side of the field. It would a different matter entirely if he was the No. 1 guy and had to cover the other team's No. 1 guy. I wouldn't blow up the defense entirely. There aren't enough good players on the defense to get rid of the good players that are here. I don't think LaVar has had his best season, but he is capable of being one of the five or 10 best players in the league if he's utilized correctly. The Redskins have to keep Champ Bailey or get something significant in return, which is why I think you'll see them use the franchise-player tag on him. As I've said, I think the formula is to re-sign Darrell Russell, maybe add another defensive tackle, get a top pass-rushing defensive end, get a safety and maybe get a linebacker if it's determined that Armstead does not have another good season left in him. _______________________ Fairfax, Va.: Mark, With the Redskins' playoff hopes over, what is the most pressing issue for the team? Not just personnel, but as a franchise? Mark Maske: Getting the coaching staff in order. That means making sure that Spurrier stays (which I still believe he will do) and making sure there are people around him on his staff capable of helping him. _______________________ Brooklyn, N.Y.: How many times are we going to see Rod Gardner drop key passes? For every good catch he makes he seems to drop two, and he's been that way since he got here. Is this guy going to be trade bait? Mark Maske: He could be trade bait. You could get something of value in return. But what are you going to get? He is not going to bring you a premium pass rusher. And if you trade him, you have to replace him. At this point, I would not feel comfortable heading into a season having to depend on Darnerien McCants or Taylor Jacobs to be the No. 2 receiver. Jacobs could develop into that eventually, but he hasn't demonstrated yet that he will for certain. McCants has played well, but I still think he's best suited to being a complementary, situational, No. 3 guy. _______________________ Deerfield Beach, Fla.: Hi Mark, You've mentioned a couple of times now that the Redskins may be looking for a LB in the offseason. Does this imply that one of the current starting trio won't be around next year? Thanks! Mark Maske: There are some people who aren't certain that Trotter is in the plans for next season. I think he will be back. Armstead has had a solid year, I think. But he has reached the point in his career where you have to plan for the possibility that you'll look up one day and he just won't be able to get it done any more. I think you have to have a guy already in the fold next season, ready to take over, even if you bring Armstead back. _______________________ Clearwater, Fla.: Do you think that Steve Spurrier will succeed in the NFL? Is Spurrier's system that tricky to adapt to? Are the troubles with the team mainly his fault or do you think the players are not performing as good as they are capable of? Will next season belong to the Skins? Thanks, New Redskins Fan Mark Maske: We'll find out next year, I guess. It's the make-or-break season for Spurrier. I am in the ever-smaller minority of people who remain convinced that he indeed will return next season and he still has a very good chance of succeeding. _______________________ New York: Mark It looks like almost the whole coaching staff is out of here for next year hue jackson probably getting the duke job, spurrier sr to arizona, mike stock in his last year under contract and edwards and helton possibly let go. Can spurrier(if he's back) replace all of them?. Any names you hear to fill those positions? Joe Mark Maske: I do think Hue Jackson will stay. Duke is giving its job to its interim coach, Ted Roof, as long as the AD's decision is approved by the trustees. If Edwards is fired, I think the Redskins will look at the head coaches with defensive backgrounds who get fired around the league. Gregg Williams, the Buffalo head coach, would be a very good choice. If Helton is fired, I wouldn't be surprised to see Jon Jansen and Chris Samuels march into Spurrier's office and make a pitch for Russ Grimm, provided he doesn't get another season in Pittsburgh. _______________________ Sterling, Va.: Hi Mark, You have said repeatedly (and I agree with you) that the key to next year is keeping Coach Spurrier around. What tactics would they use to do this? He's a coach who is very used to winning and he looks so disheartened week after week. Certainly the answer can not be more money, but are we just relying on his word that he will stay? Mark Maske: What Spurrier says about all the college rumors is that he tells people that college is been-there, done-that for him, and he wants to give himself a full chance to succeed in the NFL. For him, walking away after this season would be admitting defeat and being a total, 100-percent failure as an NFL coach. He'd be Lou Holtz all over again. Personally, I don't think he's ready to concede that yet. _______________________ Washington, D.C.: Hey Mark, do you know if the Skins will try to lure Joe Bugel out of retirement to be the teams' O-line coach or will they target Russ Grimm? Also, it seems C. Bailey is pretty unhappy here. What value do you think the Skins can get if they franchise and trade him? Do you think Bailey deserves a big pay day? Thanks. Mark Maske: When Bugel visited here, he made it very clear to the Redskins that he was retired from coaching and wanted to remain that way. I guess that could change, but I would doubt it. I think Champ seems very unhappy because he's stuck in a losing situation. I don't think he would have any problem staying here if he feels he's properly compensated and he ends up on a winning team. If they franchise him, I don't think they would settle for much less than two first-round picks in a trade. I do think he deserves to be the highest-paid cornerback in the game. The Redskins think that, too. The problem is in agreeing where that number falls. _______________________ San Diego, Calif.: Mike Doss is looking fairly good as a starting rookie safety. The often injured Taylor Jacobs has been non-existent. Who made the decision to draft a wide receiver instead of safety in the second round and just how stupid are they looking right now? Mark Maske: Cerrato wanted Doss. Spurrier wanted Jacobs. Snyder broke the tie and sided with Spurrier--unlike later, when he sided with Cerrato in the decision to cut Wuerffel. The decision looks bad now, but it's early. You shouldn't judge draft choices for a few years. _______________________ Edgewater, Md.: Long time redskin fan and the past years have been very tough!!!! If the Spurrier was to leave or get fired who would be interested in the job? How about Art Shell ? Is he a big enough name? Mark Maske: Spurrier won't be fired. I don't think he will leave. So I don't think the Redskins will be looking for a head coach. But I do think Art Shell got a raw deal in this league and deserves to coach again somewhere. At this point, he probably would have to come back as an offensive line coach and work his way back up the ladder. _______________________ Sterling, Va.: What are the chances the 'Skins will go after Jevon Kearse and Terrell Owens in the off- season? Keith Mark Maske: I don't see Terrell Owens happening. The Redskins have too many other needs to spend huge money at that position. Kearse would be a distinct possibility, I would guess, if he really makes it out on the market. _______________________ Somewhere, USA: Section 134, Sour -- Two part question: Is it more beneficial, given the Skins pysche to win out, or lose out and position themselves for a draft stud they desparately need. (Cane's Sean Taylor would make Ed Reed look like Mister Ed) Also, given the reality of a David Terrell playing NFL safety (#31 flavors of ineptitude)and that #26 Iffy's no prize, do you think they go after a safety first (a primary need identified last year and at least half-way ignored)or a Defensive end? Mark Maske: I think it's always better to win, even if you cost yourself a few spots in the draft order. I do believe that you can build momentum at the end of a season that carries over into the next season. To me, a pass-rushing defensive end is the top priority and safety is well down the list. _______________________ Jim in Alexandria, Va.: Any truth to the rumor that Spurrier is interviewing for the head coaching job at Nebraska ? Mark Maske: I don't see how, although those rumors have been persistent. There was one rumor going around that the Nebraska AD was in the Washington area Tuesday to meet with Spurrier, but the AD apparently was in his office that day. There was another rumor that Spurrier was in Lincoln yesterday, but I can tell you for a fact that one isn't true. _______________________ Crewe, Va.: Peter King said on HBO's Inside the NFL that Steve Spurrier will leave the Redskins after a "meeting of the minds" between him and Daniel Snyder at season's end. During the same broadcast, the speculation was voiced that the coach is headed to the University of North Carolina. Anything to either of these speculations? Is Spurrier all that unhappy in the pros? Mark Maske: The North Carolina rumor is another one that won't go away, but Spurrier says he's not going back to college. He will not be fired and he will not be offered a buyout by Snyder, if that's what a "meeting of the minds'' refers to. _______________________ Washington, D.C.: Could you please tell me who recieved the souvenir ball after Chad Morton returned the kickoff for a 92 yard touchdown in Sundays loss to the Saints. Surely it wasn't the wife of Tim Hasselbeck. I believe it was someone else seated in the same section as she was. Thanks Mark Maske: He gave the ball to his girlfriend. _______________________ Wethersfield, Conn.: What was with all of the short passes on Sunday? I was at the game and it seemed like Hasselbeck never looked downfield. Why didnt they call these kinds of plays(I think there were at least 8 wide receiver screens) when Ramsey was getting beaten up every play? Mark Maske: Part of it is that Spurrier has learned to use those types of plays to slow down a pass rush. Part of it is that Spurrier felt those plays are better suited to what Hasselbeck can do. And on some plays Hasselbeck was more willing than Ramsey has been to settle for the short ones. _______________________ Washington, D.C.: Mark, How do you think the Skins will handle the salary cap? They have to extend LaVar Arrington, re-sign C. Bailey maybe, re-do Trotter's contract, and cut or extend Chris Samuels? Mark Maske: There will be an effort made at some point, I think, to rework the contracts of Arrington and Samuels. That could mean an extension or, if an extension isn't do-able, it could just mean moving around the money again to lower the salary-cap impact. _______________________ Alexandria, Va.: Snyder is under pressure to maintain coaching continuity for a change. But what's the sense in the organization about how to approach blatantly poor coaching of linebackers, running backs and (until very recently) the offensive line? By poor coaching, I mean the blown assignments (blocking and tackling) and undisciplined play (fouls, fouls, fouls) that characterized the four-game losing streak. Mark Maske: Continuity is a word that gets thrown around a lot by players and fans. To me, you don't want continuity just for the sake of continuity. That's entrenched mediocrity. If you have a good thing (or a good thing in the making, or the possibility of a good thing) you want to hold on to it. If you don't, you want to change. That's where judgment comes in. To me, Spurrier as the head coach still has the possibility of being a good thing. I don't know that I can say the same thing about some other areas on his staff. _______________________ Falls Church, Va.: Mark, How much pull do you have with the team? Can you make sure they never wear those hideous throw back uniforms again? I'm almost glad they lost. Maybe now they'll consider those uniforms bad luck. At least Hasselbeck's wife got a lot of camera time. There's nothing wrong with the way she looks! Mark Maske: To answer your first question--None. I'm going to head to the locker room now. I'm sure the players just can't wait to expalin themselves. See you next week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbooma Posted December 4, 2003 Author Share Posted December 4, 2003 Sterling, Va.: Do we have a new starting center? From what I read, Coach Spurrier seems to think Friedman has earned the job. I think the line has had less false start penalties since he's been in and better pass protection in recent games. Mark Maske: I think Lennie Friedman will remain the starting center the rest of the season and probably will have the job heading into next season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMac Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 _______________________ Sterling, Va.: Do we have a new starting center? From what I read, Coach Spurrier seems to think Friedman has earned the job. I think the line has had less false start penalties since he's been in and better pass protection in recent games. Mark Maske: I think Lennie Friedman will remain the starting center the rest of the season and probably will have the job heading into next season. _______________________ THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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