The Washington Redskins
With Kenard Lang
Redskin Defensive Lineman
Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2001; 1 p.m. EDT

The Redskins are vowing to pick themselves up from their embarrassing 0-4 start this season. Is a turnaround still possible? What can be done to improve the teams standing?

Washington Redskins defensive lineman Kenard Lang will be online to talk about the team, last night's game against the Cowboys 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.

Kenard Lang: We gave it our best effort against the Cowboys last night. The ball is just not rolling our way right now, but we have to keep on going and get this big ship turned around.

Arlington, Va.:
What do you see as the problems the Redskins need to fix before being able to really compete?

Kenard Lang: It is hard to say right now. We say one thing and we try to fix it, then we say another thing and try to fix it - but nothing is working. Right now we are searching to try and find an answer and we just can't find one at the moment.

Evanston, Ill.: There have been a lot of stories circulating that the players have given up on Schottenheimer? Do you still feel like you can win with him as coach?

Kenard Lang: Yes. We feel we can still win with him as a coach. The team has not given up on him.

Hyattsville, Md.:
I know everyone seems down on the team, but actually you all seem to be playing better every week, especially the defense, and I think you all might make some waves by season's end.

My question is this- I have been watching Skins' games for years, and it seems the Cowboys and Giants always have the refs bending over backwards with corrupt, blatantly incorrect calls to help them out. I know that in the 80s, the Skins' players and organizations put a lot of pressure on the NFL to stop this, and the Skins had better games with those teams. You have played for the Skins for the last five years, so you know what I am talking about. Please tell me the Skins' organization plans on turning up the heat on the NFL about the refs in the Cowboys and Giants games. I mean, Lavar was getting called for baloney fouls while the Cowboys were holding all night.

Kenard Lang: It is one of those issues where you can complain so much that after a while the league or the officials will start to tune you out. We can only do so much, but how things are going right now, it only seems appropriate.

Germantown, Md.: Kernard, your defense has looked pretty good lately, but the offense is terrible. How do you hold together as a team when one unit is struggling like that?

Kenard Lang: Have faith in one another, because pretty soon we will need to depend on the offense to lead us through. You have to keep each group upbeat.

McLean, Va.: Not a question, just a comment. you put forth great effort, Kenard. There are fans out there that appreciate it. We do notice the bright spots. One step the 'Skins can take to prevent this spiral down for the long term is to sign you. Best of luck!

Kenard Lang: Thank you very much. I want to remain a Redskin for life.

Jupiter, Fla.: Kenard

It seems the team is starting to play with more heart but is it still a long road before things start turning around? Is that the general attitude with the rest of the team?

Thanks

Kenard Lang: The general attitude with the team is that we are not going to turn around overnight. We have to take it week by week and game by game to get this ball rolling.

Fairfax, Va.: I just want to say that the past two games, your performance has been outstanding! As for last night -- offense could have been better, but so could some of the ref's penalty calls. Where does the team go from here? When do you think a decision should be made to start building for next season? Thanks. Keep your chin up, we have to see rain before we can see rainbows.

Kenard Lang: The only way we can go is up, and right now none of us are doubting the coaches, the organization or ourselves. We just have to keep going forward and try to make things happen.

The season is not over with by a long shot. We still have opportunities and chances for making the playoffs, but we are making it harder than it should be. I think we should start rebuilding if we are eliminated from making it.

Woodbridge, Va.: Marty keeps saying that the team left their hearts and souls out on the field and they laid it on the line. My question is, what is he looking at? The fans see something totally different and it's insulting to say that there is a huge effort when we see that there is no hype, no excitement, no pizzaz -- not like the 0-5 team that was under Gibbs. At least there was some real excitement and visible anger or reaction. Is there a way to instill any of that same vision to the present team? Why are there no player meetings like in the past to get folks fired up?

Kenard Lang: 1)We have already had player meetings.

2) Joe Gibbs is not here anymore so it is hard to bring his demeanor to a team who never played for him.

3) Everybody is giving it their maximum effort, it just happens that right now things are not working out well for us.

College Park, Md.: Hi Kenard,
You guys really need Marco Coleman and Bruce Smith. Will they be back soon enough to turn this ball team around?

Kenard Lang: We will hopefully have them both back by week 8.

Columbia, Md.: With the Offense floundering and you guys on the defense playing your hearts out every week, when is Marty going to give Sage a shot? He can't do much worse than Banks.

Kenard Lang: I am not on that side of the ball and I am not a coach, so I can not make a decision on that.

Greenbelt, Md.: Hello Kenard!

It's me again, the lady who was born with the burgundy and gold stripe on her back. HA! HA! That was a tough break last night. We won that game and they know it. We'll get them back on December 2. The defense looked pretty good and they were blitzing more last night than in the past, which I love to see. Do you think you will be using different blitzing schemes since it was successful yesterday? I believe we have turned a corner TOWARDS A WIN! (This Sunday!) That's my prediction.

Thank you and HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!!

Antoinette

Kenard Lang: We might blitz a lot this coming week, it all depends on the teams offensive scheme. We know that we had the game won last night but it is over and done with now, so we have to put our mind on Carolina.

Alexandria, Va.: In a steel cage match between Marty and Danny who would win and why?

Kenard Lang: I think it would be a draw.

Washington, D.C.: OK bro, I'm going to ask you point blank: Are the majority of the Skins playing badly because no one likes Marty? It amazes me the effect that Rhodes departure has had on the Defense.

Kenard Lang: Coach is not the reason why we are playing bad. We are just not playing as a cohesive unit right now. Coaches make the plays, players go out and play. It is really all on us.

Gary (Richmond, Va.): Kenard, you're the man. The defensive players must be frustrated being on the field all the time with the offense doing so poorly. Eric Dickerson said last night that the 'skins offense could easily be figured out ("in 45 minutes" I believe he said). Do you think the coaching staff need to make a change in the style of play calling and do you think they will? It seems we not only don't run enough but don't send receivers deep often enough to keep the defense honest. Thanks.

Kenard Lang: Well, I play defense and I really can't make a judgement on what our offense needs to do. If that needs to be done, the head coach will take care of it.

Washington, D.C.: Kenard: you've played strong this season despite the overall effort of the team. How do you get in the proper mindset to perform at such a high level week in and week out?

Thanks

Kenard Lang: I give it my best effort knowing that every Sunday is not given - I never know when my last game is going to be. I am hungry to play considering I was a back-up last year.

Bethesda: Kenard, you and the rest of the defense are really stepping it up. But I have to disagree with you when you say "it's all on us." It isn't- a lot of it IS on the coach. He has to pick the right players, design the right plays, put together the right training programs, motivate the right players, and call the right plays - he has to be a leader. I understand why you can't criticize the coach, but let's not give them a pass either - "it's all on everyone - the coaches and the players."

Right now, I'd say that the offensive coordinator and Marty need to have a nice long talk to figure out how to design/call better plays, or .... maybe it's time for a "consultant" to help that position out....

Kenard Lang: What I meant when I said "all on us" is the group of players that the coach has selected. We have to make it happen. To me it is all on us because we are the ones the coach has picked to play.

Kenard Lang: Sometimes you have to live with the hand that was dealt to you. Sometimes you have no choices of what hand you have to work with.

Laurel, Md.: Usually The Redskins take a downward spiral after they lose to the Cowboys. How are you and the team going to bounce back from such a demoralizing defeat.

Kenard Lang: With a win. That is the only way.

Washington, D.C.: Tough break for Stephen Davis at the end of the game. Even though, he fumbled, it seems that for the Redskins to win he will have to continue to run the ball at least 25 times a game. Is this part of the Skins plans for future games?

Kenard Lang: I think so. That is what the coach has implied that he is going to do. If that is what it takes for us to win, so be it.

Brookeville, MD: Aside from having a sure thing at QB the Skins seem to have as much individual talent (like K. Lang) and promise as anyone - I see it that way. Do you feel that much or all of the current losing steak is psychological?

Kenard Lang: It is more or less a lot of bad breaks that we are having throughout the course of the year. We have had a year full of bad breaks in our first five games, so hopefully from here on out it will be smooth sailing.

DC: Kenard,

You don't even have to get in the end zone, I'll still buy you a steak dinner. I have the utmost respect for you, how you conduct yourself on and off the field. I truly hope I get to meet you one day and just give you a hug. (I'm just a big fan of yours, that;s all) And since I know you're not going to respond to this... what is up with Marty saying that Kevin Lockett is the team's #1 playmaker!?! Is he crazy? I heard that from the boys on the Redskin Report this past Saturday.

Kenard Lang: Thank you for the steak dinner offer, but the hug we will have to work on. If that is what Coach says, that is what he says. He is the one making the team decisions for the present and future, so whatever happens happens.

DC: Do you think the recent injurys to players will create a problem with trying to get on the right track?

Kenard Lang: It will make it difficult. A lot of time you like to have the core of either offense or defense when practicing. If anything it might slow down the process.

White Plains, MD: Kenard,

I loved the fire in the defense last night. Do you think you guys are beating up on the offense too much in practice?

Kenard Lang: No because we really don't hit each other that much in practice. That is no excuse at all.

Arlington, Va.: You guys WILL come back. Keep the faith. Do you have a pre-game ritual that you go through?

Kenard Lang: Most of the time I listen to R&B -- slow music like Gerald Levert -- sit back and relax. Then I will get ready for the game by listening to slow down music.

Washington, DC: You and Arrington are monsters. What's it like playing with Lavar behind you?

Kenard Lang: It is great knowing that a person is going to push his body to the limit in order to make every play possible.

Washington, D.C.: The bottom line is that this season is going to be a bust for the Skins. You will be lucky to win 5 games. Why is the team so bad this year?

Kenard Lang: I guess we are still getting somewhat accustomed to this new style and coaching staff. You can't make fine wine overnight it takes a little while.

Silver Spring, Md.: Should a local sports writer be more of an objective journalist or a cheerleader for the local team? Much coverage of the Redskins, especially on television, goes to extremes to find the plusses of the Redskin organization, especially the coach and owner (whom many seem to want to be friends with). Some of the people reporting or commenting on the team are on the team's payroll (e.g. "The Voice of the Redskins"). Last night, out of 4 commentators Channel 7 had on their pre-game show, 3 predicted a Washington victory, and one wisely chose to go last and let time run out before he had to make a prediction.

Kenard Lang: Most of the time the sportswriters are just doing their job so it all depends on the assignment that their boss gives to them.

Washington, D.C.: Kenard-

you have just made my day by responding to me... I'm not sure what you meant (if you want the steak dinner or the hug) but if neither of those work for you, maybe you could just sign my jersey. (I rock the burgundy #90 every chance I get!)

Sincerely,

Lauren

Kenard Lang: Thank you for the offer. I am glad I made your day. At least somebody has a smile on your face. Keep rockin' the #90 jersey.

I might be #90 in the media books, but I hope I am #1 in your heart.

Washington, D.C.: Hey Kenard... As fans we have a deep passion of hatred for the Cowboys and it seems at times that the team don't share the same emotion as the fans. Do you see that way?

Kenard Lang: A lot of the players here are new, so they really don't know the tradition or what is at stake when you play against the Cowboys. When someone comes into the new environment and doesn't know how it has been in the past they have to get adjusted. They have to learn what is at stake.

Kenard Lang: Thanks for the questions.

Quote of the Day: What looks good to you might not be good for you.

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