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The Washington Redskins
With Kenard Lang
Redskin Defensive Lineman
Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2001; 1 p.m. EST
How do you think the Redskins fared against New York? Where does the team need to improve? What are your thoughts on the team's playoff chances for the season?
Washington Redskins defensive lineman Kenard Lang was online to talk about the team, Sunday's game against the 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.
Kenard Lang: Hello everybody.
College Park, Md.:
Kenard, give me the low down on that little shimmy you do after you make a big play.
Kenard Lang: It is something I came up with just messing around during practice. When I make plays in practice mw and a couple over teammates do dances to be funny. I came up with that and I am keeping it.
Blacksburg, Va.:
Kenard,
I'm not sure if you remember or not, but I believe during your rookie season you came to Pope Paul VI High School and spoke about the dangers of drugs. When fielding questions, I asked you then, "What was the hardest thing about being a pro-athlete? Managing all that money you were making? Etc.?" You answered politely and quickly, I felt that you didnt really know yet what was infront of you and how your future as a Redskin would unfold, thus not knowing how to answer. At any rate, now that you are no longer a rookie, what is the hardest thing about being an admired, professional athlete? Money? Free time? Family time? Relationships? As a former lacrosse player and basketball player we both know the sacrifices one must endure to play a sport they love. I can only imagine the pressure and scrutiny that you guys have to endure. Thanks for your time and congrads on Sunday vs the Giants. GO SKINS!
P.S. All my friends down here at Virginia Tech are Eagles fans, so good luck on Nov. 25. Keep up the great work, the Skins team doesnt even resemble the team I saw three weeks ago. You're a major part of that effect. Hats off to you. Show off your intellect and keep hustling.
--Aaron from Blacksburg.
Kenard Lang: Thank you for the comments. Since playing for the Skins in '97 I have had a lot of experiences -- good and bad. One of the major things that I have learned over time, everybody who says that they are your friends, are not your friends. Watch closely the person who is next to you, because you never know what might happen.
McLean, Va.:
Kernard,
Congrats on your attitude and gut determination this year, all year. Not to take anything from you your session on line, but do you think Coach will start Darrell Green the last game of the season as it is his last game ever? What about using him all over the field, both sides of the ball that game? Seems only fitting given his devotion to the 'Skins and to the game.
Kenard Lang: Well, Coach is the only one who can really answer that. As for the players, we want to see D. Green go out on top, not only with the win that game, but with him starting the game and receiving all of the justice that he is due.
Fairfax, Va.:
Way to go! I am so happy for you guys. A special thank you for your fumble recoveries! I don't really have a question, I just wanted to say keep up the good work and this fan supports the whole team's efforts.
Kenard Lang: Thank you. With the grace of God and his blessing we shall continue to improve and get better.
Washington, D.C.:
What's going right for the Skins now that wasn't before?
Kenard Lang: We are all playing together as a cohesive unit -- Offence, Defense, Special Teams.
Washington, D.C.:
What is the team that you admire most in the NFL -- for professionalism, ability, organization -- all the things that make a great football team great?
Kenard Lang: The only one -- The Washington Redskins, because of the tradition and the legacy of players and coaches that have been part of this organization.
Los Angeles, by way of Washington, D.C.:
Kenard!
Congratulations, things are coming together, it's great to see. I've been saying since the beginning of the season that the skins are an 11-5 team this year. Anyway, what do you make of all the razzle-dazzle accross the league this week? Does it take seven weeks to get your trick plays down, or was everyone just jealous of the Rams' trickery?
Kenard Lang: A lot of times you have to go deeper in your playbook than what you think . I guess Coach got a big shovel and dug real hard and the plays he found worked well for us.
Reston, Va.:
Kenard,
I think you are having a pro bowl type of year so far. I hope you stay in Washington for the rest of your career. With you playing End and and DT has the coaching staff designed any plays where you would drop into coverage like Michael Strahan did this past game. I think you could get some interceptions. Thanks
Kenard Lang: In our defensive scheme the defensive end drops some time in blitzes, but that is not our main objective when we blitz. We want to have our front four linemen rushing the quarterback along with the linebackers.
Pittsburgh, Pa.:
Kenard,
Congratulations on the great win!
Do you feel the team is behind LaVar Arrington in his backing of Coach Schottenheimer after the game?
Kenard Lang: It is not really that, the big thing that has happened with this team is that the players have started to have confidence in one another as far as taking care of their responsibilities. That is a major step we have taken.
Cheltenham, Md.:
Kenard,
It appears on defense you guys are bringing
the pain, but how do you keep the intensity
and remain on the field, while the play-action sets up. It seems the defense
is playing the same minutes, avoiding
injuries and getting better. What's the
difference?
Kenard Lang: To be honest with you I do not know. The offense and special teams are helping out a lot as far as field position and the plays the opponents can call. When our special teams pin an opponent deep in their own territory and the crowd starts yelling and screaming, the intensity and emotions are like second nature to us. What really keeps us going is the fans in the stadium and one another.
Washington, D.C.:
Congrats of the winning streak. LaVar Arrington knocked Troy Aikman out of his career, is there any quarterback you just love to sack?
Kenard Lang: Any quarterback I love to sack. McNabb is one of my favorites though, because I faced him a lot in college when he was at Syracuse. It brings up old college memories of Miami thrashing Syracuse.
Pittsburgh, Pa.:
What thought ran through your head when you saw that ball laying on the grass right in front of you on the Giants first drive?
Kenard Lang: It was like seeing a brand new Mongoose bicycle on Christmas morning.
Leesburg, Va.:
Kenard:
Fred Smoot is a great athlete, but does Michael Wilbon have it right when he writes that Green is the heart and soul of the defense? Do you feel a 'lift' when Darrell is in the game (with no disrespect to Smoot)?
Kenard Lang: When you look at Green and Smoot you look at experience vs. inexperience and wisdom of the football game. D. Green is the Washington Redskins. He has played consistently at a high level all his years here. He will give away his left leg for a Skin's win.
Silver Spring, Md.:
Thanks for all the help, Kenard! I've got you on my fantasy football team and you always get me lots of points.
Glad the whole team is doing better also!
Kenard Lang: Thank you. I am going to help you get a lot of points. If you win the whole thing I am going to come looking for my share of the money. (Just kidding)
We will keep improving every week.
Washington, D.C.:
How do you guys feel emotionally, mentally with Seattle coming up?
Kenard Lang: Really good. Confident. Not conceded. Looking forward to getting another win. This season is a marathon, not a hundred meters.
Silver Spring, Md.:
Do you think we should be blitzing more to put more pressure on opposing quarterbacks and causing more sacks, while trusting our secondary to hold their ground?
Kenard Lang: I say that it all depends on an opponents offense. A lot of teams of different . I just try to go out there and play and trust the coach's decision. It is all on his shoulders.
Washington, D.C.:
Hey Kenard!
I have loved your play since early last season. You've got so much heart! I proudly wear my Redskins sweatshirt that you so generously signed last September at Landsdowne! Keep ROCKIN'!
My question is this: What do you think is the main cause of the recent turnaround of the team? Are players just now buying into Marty's system? Is it more mental/emotional? HAIL!
Kenard Lang: I say that it is more mental. We know we have to do what is asked. The coach's job is on the line and he is not going to put it in jeopardy as far as not doing what is right for the team.
Washington, D.C.:
Kenard! Stay with the 'Skins! How has the crowd at FedEx been the past couple of weeks? I attribute part of your success recently to playing at home and feeding off the fans ever since LaVar returned that INT for a touchdown. Your thoughts?
Kenard Lang: The fans at FedEx field have been wonderful and great. They display a lot of energy toward the players and it shows that they really care.
Fairfax, Va.:
Being a free agent at the end of this season... Would you like to return to the Redskins? Are you thinking of testing the market? God knows myself and probably every Redskins fan want you to stay...
Keep up the damn good ball playin!
Kenard Lang: Myself, I bleed burgundy and gold. I would love to stay, but only if they want me to. Whatever happens happens.
Phoenix, Ariz.:
I think the Skins are building a dynasty, check it out. Lavar Arrington, Champ Bailey, Fred Smoot, Rod Gardner, Jon Jansen, Chris Samules, Kenard Lang and David Terrell. Do you think this group of young players are having a dynasty built around them?
Kenard Lang: The coaches are just building on what they have and using the players to their best ability.
Phoenix, Ariz.:
Hey Kenard! Great game all phases. My question is this week when the Skins are playing the Seahawks whenever it is third and short will you take presidence and pump up the D? I think with your enthusisam will help when others are tired. Thanks, Go Skins!
Kenard Lang: Always!
But don't forget, that the fans are our twelfth man. Every time they make noise it makes the offense delay the plays they are calling.
Leesburg, Va.:
I haven't seen or read much about the Seahawks this year outside of the Dilfer/Hasselbeck controversy. How do you break down the Seattle offense? Do they run a scheme that compares to your previous opponents (if so which one)?
Kenard Lang: What I have heard is that it is a West Coast offense, so if anything it will be like Green Bay.
West Coast is more three to five set drop back passes.
Haines City, Fla.:
Just wondering ... Do you keep in touch with college buds who are playing in the NFL, and who are your best friends from your college playing years? Also, how does it feel competing against them?
Kenard Lang: As far as college I still keep in touch with Duane Starks, Kenny Holmes and Warren Sapp. We all stay in touch and visit one another.
It is always a competition as far as who will out beat the others.
Weatherly, Pa.:
Congratulations on Sunday's victory, Kenard. Much has been made about how LaVar Arrington should be utilized in the Redskins defensive scheme. He has been likened to Derrick Thomas and Lawrence Taylor, in terms of his athletic/pass rush abilities. Will he be "unleashed," so to speak, so that he can make plays in space and go after quarterbacks more often? Thanks for joining us, and good luck on Sunday.
Kenard Lang: We will utilize him in the blitz a lot more and on the inside and edges.
Washington, D.C.:
What do you think will keep the team on this winning streak!
Kenard Lang: Everybody being consistent and confidant in what we are doing.
Herndon, Va.:
Before the season started, you changed from defensive end to defensive tackle. Do you feel comfortable at your new postiton to stop the run, than to pressure the QB since there is a lack of support at run defense?
Kenard Lang: Actually, playing defense is defense. It doesn't matter to me as long as I am on the field.
Leesburg, Va.:
Kenard,
Thanks for taking the question. First let me say that I have felt for some time even before this season that you were among the young guys on the team that should have been starting and or at a minimum seeing more playing time. What is the difference between this years defense and last years defense under Coach Rhodes.
Kenard Lang: One of the major differences is that we have a new coaching staff that released some players. That is one of the main reasons why I am playing. This year's defensive team is somewhat similar to last years.
Leesburg, Va.:
Thanks for your response to my earlier question about the Seahawks offense. Brought up a separate question in my mind -- what's your weekly schedule like. When do you break down the next week's opponent? This afternoon? Wednesday?
Thanks for taking the time each week for these chats.
Kenard Lang: The coaches break down the opponent Monday evening and Tuesday and we start watching the film on them on Wednesday when we report back to the practice.
Dulles, Va.:
Kenard,
What offensive lineman gives you the most trouble in practice? In the league?
Thanks for your time.
Kenard Lang: In practice, probably Dave Szott.
And in the league I would have to say Trey Thomas from Philadelphia.
Manassas, Va.:
Kenard,
Thanks for doing these chats on your days off! What do you eat in your pre-game meal and how far in advance of a game do you eat?
Keep up the good work!
Kenard Lang: I probably eat my pre-game meal around three hours in advance and I mostly eat oatmeal with brown sugar and raisins.
Bethesda, Md.:
What are your opinions of the other teams in the NFC East and how do you see the division playing out? Thanks and GO SKINS!
Kenard Lang: My opinion on the other teams is that it is wide open as far as who can win it. We are in the driver's seat. We still have to play the other teams in our conference.
Germantown, Md.:
Kenard, I have been a season ticket holder since the move to the new stadium -- long time fan. My question is; in your opinion, what is the toughest Running Back (active) that you have had to try to stop to date in the league?
Kenard Lang: Toughest running back, would be Deuce Staley because he runs hard and he stride is very deceptive.
Phoenix, Ariz.:
Great game Kenard! Way to set the tone early. Does this team still have a hate for Dallas? I know us Skins fans do and I think the players need to be let known the history of these two teams so we can tear them apart next time in D.C. Go Skins!
Kenard Lang: Yeah, we still have hate for Dallas among other teams. They are a rival. The next time we play it will be a totally different story.
Washington, D.C.:
Kenard,
How proud is your mamma?
Kenard Lang: Extremely proud. She still calls me her baby.
Virginia:
Hmmmm.
Veteran big little man Darrell Green starts two games of the season thus far. The Redskins win two games. Elementary, my dear Schottenheimer?
Kenard,
Michael Wilbon has reported on Schott's early treatment of vets like Green and Bruce Smith, indicating that many Redskins were far from pleased. I'm sure you won't comment on that, but I'd like to ask how the locker room feels now that two victories are finally under the belt. Has the hostility faded?
Thanks, and best to y'all this weekend and all weekends,
EK
Kenard Lang: The team confidence is sky high and we are looking forward to the next game.
Phoenix, Ariz.:
I eat, sleep and breath football (when I am not working). What would be my best path in chasing a career as a GM or any assistant to an NFL team?
Kenard Lang: It matters who you know and not what you know. So get in contact with some friends who have connections.
Arlington, Va.:
Hey Kenard,
I hope you are keeping February 9, 2002 open on your calendar.. you've got my vote! If you were voting, which of your teammates would you put in the Pro Bowl this year?
Go Skins!
Kenard Lang: LaVar Arrington and Fred Smoot.
Washington, D.C.:
Kenard!!
I saw that interception in the Carolina game, so how do you like your steak?!
Also, so glad you brought back the hump against the Giants. It's the best! Kenard be humpin' em... that's what we say about you! I'm going to get my hug one day, believe that!
Okay, here's my question. You play Seattle and then a bye week, then Denver. How are you guys preparing mentally for the weeks ahead.
P.S. Have you checked out #90 for Fresno State... I think he wants to be you (but he doesn't come close!)
Lauren
Kenard Lang: These coming weeks we are not looking past the opponent we have to play our games first, then worry about the bi-week as far as going home.
Kenard Lang: Thanks for the questions. Hail to the Redskins!
QUOTE OF THE DAY: Life is like a deck of cards, sometimes you get ones you don't like, but you still have to play your hand.
washingtonpost.com:
That wraps up today's show. Thanks to everyone who joined the
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