The Washington Redskins
With Brett Conway
Redskin Place Kicker
Friday, Oct. 26, 2001; 1:30 p.m. EDT

The Redskins managed to pull out a much needed overtime win against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Is this the start of a turnaround? What can be done to improve the teams standing?

Washington Redskins place kicker Brett Conway was online to talk about the team, this week's game against the New York Giants and the season in general.

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.

Manassas, Va.: Brett: Congratulations on the win! Now, tell us the truth. Were you glad that Rod Gardner's TD was called back so that you could try again and win the game, or were you hoping you wouldn't have to try another field goal? Apparently, Coach Schottenheimer has a lot of faith in you -- so do I. Keep the faith -- Hail Redskins!

Brett Conway: I was the only Redskin fan in the stadium that wanted him to ruled down. When the ruling came and Marty told me to go in and kick a field goal I was delighted. That is what I wanted to happen.

Bath, England: How much confidence have you gained from kicking the game winner against Carolina, and what were you thinking as you lined up for the kick, esspecially after the one that got away in regulation?

Brett Conway: You always worry about the kick at hand and not any previous ones. You try to make that kick like any kick in practice. You do it a million times in practice, so you just try and make it one million and one.

Washington, D.C.: How many balls do you kick at practice each day?

Brett Conway: It depends. During the offseason I kick more than I do in the season. During the offseason you try to refine your style. When it comes to the season itself you try to maintain what you have and make it routine.

Herndon, Va.: Hi Brett,
First of all, congrats on Sunday's victory over the Panthers, I know that's a huge monkey off everyone's back. I'm a life-long Redskins' fan and a member of the Redskins' marching band. I don't really have a question, more of a statement. I know it's hard to ignore all of the negativity that's surrounding this season. I've never heard so many fans, other players and coaches, even ex-Redskins, speak so horribly about a team. I've been outraged to hear all of this, but I've kept my head up, and I'll continue to do so. Hail to the Redskins, always.

Brett Conway: I think that one of the greatest factors in our success is our fans and supporters. If they cheer us on even when we are not doing well it stays with us. That is what happened last Sunday and we pulled it out in the end.

Kwajalein, Marshall Island: Which the better team? Penn State 94 or present?

Brett Conway: Definitely Penn State 94. It is good to see that Joe tied the record. Hopefully they can win some more games and get on a roll for the rest of the season.

Jacksonville, Fla.: How important is your holder?

Brett Conway: My holder and snapper are probably the best combination I have worked with.; The holder is extremely important and my holder, Brian Barker, who I stole from the Jaguars (sorry guys), is probably he best in the business.

Knoxville, Tenn.: They say that out of diversity comes strength, and the fourth quarter endzone celebration by the redskins in last weeks game showed me a unity and enthusiasm that I have not seen as a fan since eras past. What are your thoughts on how this team has come together as a group. Is there progress yet to be made?

Brett Conway: We can only make progress right now. There is a lot of character of this team. If we stay together as a team -- the coaches, players and staff - then we will be successful in the end.

State College, Pa.: Brett-

Great to see so many Penn Staters on the team this year! Do you think this is the weekend Joe breaks Bryant's record and, in your opinion, what will his the future hold for Paterno and the PSU program?

Brett Conway: I hope it is this weekends. It will be a great win against a great team and rival Ohio State. As far as Paterno's future goes, he has every right to stay on as head coach. It is a matter of recruiting the right kids to come in.

Richmond, Va.: I would like to say that you handled missing the kick like a true professional. I am just glad that you had a chance to redeem yourself in overtime. I truly belive that if we would have had you last year we could have gone all the way.

Secondly, have seen Eric Metcalfe practice since he has been accquired by the Redskins?
If so how does he look, and do you think that he will a factor this late in the season.

'Skins fan no matter what,
Dave

Brett Conway: Thank you vote of confidence. As far as last year goes I am sure I would have contributed, as I am a true Redskin fan. As for Eric, yes I have seen him practice. He has been catching punts every day and I think that he will be able to pick it up with no problem.

Williamsburg, Va.: Did you have any doubt that Marty Schottenheimer would call on you at the end of the game to kick the field goal in OT?

Brett Conway: No. No doubt. I had been kicking the ball great. I am going to miss a few kicks is in my career. Marty has the utmost trust in me.

Nashville, Tenn.: Brett, you said something to Rod Gardner after he caught the "apparant" winning touchdown what did you say to him?

Brett Conway: I told him thank you.

After he got out from underneath the pile I had him look me in the face and I said "Thank you very much, you got me off the hook."

Newport News, Va.: Did you feel bad when Washington cut you? How did you feel when they called you back?

Brett Conway: I don't think my dismissal was warranted.

When Marty brought me back, they had gotten rid of some of the negative people who had worked here, so I had no problem comming. I wanted to come back because the team has such a great tradition and great fans.

Greenbelt, Md.: Hi --

I have two questions:

Have you noticed a difference in terms of length and accuracy of your kicks with the new footballs that were introduced last year specifically for field goal attempts?

I have no data to support this, but I swear that I've seen more blocked field goal attempts in the last two years in NFL games than in the previous 10 years. Is that an accurate perception? And if it is, why are there so many more blocked field goal attempts these days? Thanks. I wish you dry turf, good luck, and fair winds on Sunday!

Brett Conway: Thank you for the last comment.

Yeah the kicking balls definitely make a difference accuracy wise and distance. As far as how many that are blocked, that could be attributed to it, because you can't get the ball up high enough, but that shouldn't make so much of a difference. I don't necessarily know why there are more blocks this year. Since they instituted the field goal kicking ball, though, there have been more missed and not as many tried.

Centreville, Va.: Brett, Nice work on Sunday! I was curious if the locker room seems more unified behind Marty after the victory?

Brett Conway: Absolutely. There is no doubt about it.

As far as the victory goes, we stayed together as a team the whole game. When you do that you have a greater chance of winning and we proved that.

Herndon, Va.: Brett,
After watching Monday night football featuring the Giants and the Eagles, it became apparent that neither of these teams are very impressive on offense and their defenses are OK, but not any better than the Redskins' defense when everyone is healthy. Have there been any thoughts amongst the team that the playoffs are not out of reach, especially with a win over the Giants on Sunday?

Brett Conway: Absolutely, with division games being so important, there is still playoff hope, and that is the way the team is looking at it. We haven't been able to put offense, defense and special team together yet for an entire game. When we do that, we will have greater success.

Rockville, Md.: First, I'd like to say to you Brett that it's great to have you back on the team this season. We fans missed you a great deal last season. I would also like to congratulate you on your booming 55 yarder against the Giants in the second quarter of week four. From where I was sitting, it looked like you and the defense kept the team in that last game in the Meadowlands for a long time. How do you prepare yourself to have another great game like that against the Giants, knowing that it will again probably be a game won by the defensive and field goal units?
Thank You, and keep up the great work!

Brett Conway: Good observation. Special teams will be a big factor in the game with both defenses being so good right now.

There are those games where I know I will be called upon to do a greater part, and this is one of them. We have been focused on this and I have been kicking the ball very well this week.

New York, N.Y.: Does it worry you that Morten Andersen is practicing while you are chatting on the Internet?

Brett Conway: They are not practicing right now, Fridays are always a short day.

Charleston, S.C.: Why don't we implement our deep pass atttack and let the receivers run routs?

Brett Conway: I am a kicker, not necessarily a head coach. I do know that in order to be able to run down the field we need to establish shorter passes and a running game in order for those passes to be successful.

Virginia Beach, Va.: Aside from the miss against Carolina during regulation, do you believe that you are at the point where being automatic at 40 yards in is reasonable?

Brett Conway: It should be, yes. That is our main goal. I shouldn't miss inside of 40 yards. I have been kicking the ball great and when you are that confident it is almost automatic -- if there is such a thing.

Brett Conway: Remember one thing, when the fans are behind us it is more encouraging for us to win and helps us that much more. Thank you for your support.

washingtonpost.com:

That wraps up today's show. Thanks to everyone who joined the discussion.

Stay tuned to Live Online:

Tech Support: Post ISP Guide at 2 p.m. EDT
Desserts: Pastry Chef Claudia Fleming at 3 p.m. EDT
In Store: Halloween Costumes at 3 p.m. EDT
Live Online Special Coverage: America At War

Did you know that you can follow more than one Live Online discussion at the same time? Just open another browser window and toggle back and forth between discussions! And, if you miss one, catch up with the Live Online transcripts.

Keep up with the latest in news, sports, politics and entertainment with washingtonpost.com e-mail newsletters.

NEW! Personalize your Post with mywashingtonpost.com. Get customized news, traffic, weather and more.

   |      |