The Washington Redskins
With Fred Smoot
Redskin Cornerback
Friday, Sept. 7, 2001; 1:30 p.m. EDT

The Redskins will open the season against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday. Can the team pull itself up from a disappointing pre-season? What is the team thinking as it goes into Sunday's game?

Washington Redskins starting cornerback and second round draft pick Fred Smoot will be online to take questions on the team, the game on Sunday and how it feels to play in the NFL.

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.

Fred Smoot: Bring it on!

Plantation, Fla.: In the newspaper it said that you had a big day, yesterday. Tell me about it; the interceptions and tackles. Because I'm impressed by your confindence and skill.

Fred Smoot: I came out real intense. Had some good break-ups and interceptions. Just basically had a good day at practice.

Bethesda, Md.: Fred, first of all congratulations on winning the starting job at corner. That's got to feel great.

Do you feel like there will be any additional scrutiny placed on you since you're taking over for a future hall of famer? Do you think the fans might say "oh, Darrell Green would have made that play" when -- and this is no slam on your talent, because it happens to all corners -- you get beat?

How will you handle this?

Thanks, and good luck!

Fred Smoot: I know that comes with the territory. There will be a lot of critics. The last thing I am going to do is let what someone else says effect me.

Fairmont: Just wanted to say good luck and if you tackle better than the previous no. 21 you will be a hit in my book.

Fred Smoot: Thank you. I love to get into the groove of the game.

Staunton, Va.: Hello. Fred, what are your personal goals for this football season? And who is your favorite college football team?

Thanks and good luck this year.

Kevin Harris

Fred Smoot: My goals are to win a super bowl my rookie year. Rookie of the year would be fine too, but I would rather have a Super Bowl first.

Mississippi State of course. I will pick either Miss or Miami to win it all.

Washington, D.C.: Do you think that there is a young pair of cornerbacks in the league that can hold a candle to you and Champ Bailey?

Fred Smoot: I don't think so, and I don't think there will be a pair for a long time like me and Champ together.

Springfield, Va.: Is there a wide reciever you fear in the league? Is there someone you look forward to playing against? Good luck

Fred Smoot: I look forward to playing everybody, and I don't fear anybody.

Fairfax, Va.: Care to take a guess on how many times this year announcers at Skins games will utter the phrase "They're not yelling 'Boo' they're yelling 'Smoooooooooot'"? I'm guessing at least twice per game. You?

Fred Smoot: I'm guessing at least four or five times.

Washington, D.C.: What's your 40 time? and now that Deion's gone from the team, who's the flashiest dresser?

Fred Smoot: My 40 times 4.37

And the snappiest dresser now is probably Bruce Smith.

Oakton, Va.: Would you rather lose by 1 point, but have 3 interceptions, or get burned for 3 touchdowns and win by 1 point?

Fred Smoot: I'd rather get burned and win. I am a sore looser. Every game won't be Christmas for you… so I'd rather win.

Sterling, Va.: I think defensively the Redskins have a pretty solid group, from the DB's to LB's to defensive line. We all saw the inneffectiveness of the offense during the preseason which raises a lot of questions regarding that side of the ball -- Will the offensive line hold up, is George's arm ok, etc. Since you play against this offense in practice, what have you seen from them that the fans have yet to see?

Fred Smoot: They have yet to see a healthy Jeff George leading the group. That makes a big differnce. You can't go without a leader and with Jeff George in there they are 100 percent better. I have no doubt in their abilities.

Arlington, Va.: Smoot, I'm a big State fan and really enjoyed watching you play for us. (I especially enjoyed the homework comment to the Vandy WR). Congrats on the starting job, and I know you'll have a great season. Just wanted to ask though, now that you're in the NFL, are you still driving the gold Caddy?

Fred Smoot: Yeah. I still have my gold car.

Kensington, Md.: Hello Fred,

My question is this...

Do you prefer to be right on top of a reciever or would you prefer to give him a little cushion? I would think that if you are right up to him it gives him a little bit better chance of making a move to get some seperation.

Thank you, David

Fred Smoot: I want to be up on him. That way it is hard for him to get off the line. If you make it hard for him to get off the line you mess up the timing.

Landover: How do you feel about being a Washington Redskin?

Fred Smoot: I love it. Nothing better in the world.

Miami, Fla.: Whats up Fred, what do you think your greatest fear as a rookie cornerback is.

Fred Smoot: Probably just trying to do too much and getting off my game.

Bethesda, Md.: What do you think of the coach?

Fred Smoot: I love Marty. He is a no nonsense coach. You have to love that about him. Everything is about business.

Vienna, Va.: Hey Fred you're awesome. I almost fell out of my chair when I saw that the Skins actually got you in the 2nd round, what a steal, most experts had you ranked as the top cover corner in the draft. How do you feel about Chargers testing you early and what does it mean to replace a legend like Green?

Fred Smoot: It means a lot because I can show the NFL a lot out there, and they can see if I can handle it or not.

I have mixed emotions about replacing Green.

Silver Spring: In terms of coverage, when is the decision on whether you have help deep made? IS it made before the play based on formations the other team is in, or is it based on yours and the safetys' reads of the pattern being run by teh WRs once the ball has been snapped?

Fred Smoot: Basically it goes with what the safety calls and what he is relaying to me. What he is relaying to me is what I go by.

Miami, Fla.: What has been your biggest adjustment since college and how will it help you in the NFL?

Fred Smoot: Basically knowing I don't have to go to school that morning and just go to practice. There has been a lot of learning and dos and don'ts that come with the NFL.

San Francisco, Calif.: Fred:
Who is faster, you or Darrell Green?
Michael

Fred Smoot: Darrell is probably still faster.

Frederick, Md.: How do you feel about the statements that Daniel Snyder made earlier this week about the team? he says that he is disappointed in the way the team has played in preseason? How do you personally feel about Lloyd Harrison being cut when Donovan Greer couldn't cover a elderly man in a wheel chair this preseason. I hope you are as good as what they say, best of luck and learn all you can from Darrell he is and will be the best DB to ever play the position!

Fred Smoot: I feel the same way. We didn't play up to our expectation.

As for Donova situation, I had nothing to do with it. It shocked me when I woke up.

Starkville, Miss.: Was the defensive scheme of Coach Joe Lee Dunn at Mississippi State helpful to you in preparing yourself for the NFL?

Fred Smoot: Oh yeah. I give a lot of credit for that defense for letting me play man to man coverage.

Atlanta,Ga. (by way of Landover, Md.): Fred,

I checked out your Smoot-Smack (Miss-State) site. It gave me more of an insite on your playing style than Mel Kiper ever could.

My question: Will you have a similar site now that you play for the Skins?

Fred Smoot: I think I will. The Redskins have a little diary going on about me right now on their site if you want to check that out.

Huge Fan from Arlington: Congratulations for be selected to start on Sunday! I know it's tough to make predictions now without having played a down in the regular season but how do you think the Skins will fair in the NFC East? I read recently that you were predicted to be second to the Giants and have a good chance at receiving a wild card slot. Based on the season's schedules for each team, I think that is highly possible but others beg to differ with me. I am always optimistic when it comes to the Skins, what do you think?

Fred Smoot: I think we have a great chance. I believe that if we do what I know we can do we will be second to nobody.

Fred Smoot: Thanks for the questions. I look forward to talking with you again.

washingtonpost.com:

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

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