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Sports: Redskins
Mark Maske
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, October 23, 2003; 10:45 a.m. ET
What is your reaction to last Sunday's game? Can the Redskins still make it to the playoffs? Who are the breakout players this season? Who isn't living up to your expectations?
Washington Post staff writer Mark Maske was online to discuss the team, their upcoming game against Dallas and your forecast for 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.
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Mark Maske: Let's get started. I'm sure there are a lot of questions today. I'll probably have to leave around 11:30 because that's when the players are scheduled to come off the practice field today, with the bye-week schedule.
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Silver Spring, Md.:
All the local sports reporters are sugarcoating the release of Rob Johnson in favor of an inexperienced third string QB that hasn't thrown an NFL pass. Why hasn't anyone said this is a bad move and the Redskins have made themselves an even WEAKER team? It's a guarantee that Ramsey will get hurt again and the back-up will have to come in. Was this bonehead move Snyder's idea?
Mark Maske: This was what Spurrier and the coaching staff wanted. They wanted to be rid of Rob Johnson because they didn't have confidence in him. I remember a lot of people around the league liking Hasselbeck when he came out of Boston College. And if Ramsey does suffer a serious injury, Spurrier knows that Danny Wuerffel is always a phone call away.
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Shreveport, La.:
Why Tim Hasselbeck?
Mark Maske: I think his primary qualification in the minds of the coaches was that he isn't Rob Johnson.
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Columbia, Md.:
Mark: What does the fact that the Redskins signed Tim Hasselback, a quarterback with no experience and no knowledge of Spurrier's system, instead of Danny Wuerffel, who has shown he can at least be a capable back-up, show about what is going on behind the scenes in upper management of the team? Certainly Spurrier couldn't have wanted Hasselback over Wuerffel, could he?
Mark Maske: Danny Wuerffel will always be available if the Redskins need him. No other team is going to sign him if they feel he can't even succeed with Spurrier. This way, you get to bring in a young quarterback who perhaps can be developed into a decent backup for Ramsey, and teach him the system. Wuerffel doesn't have to be here to be on the depth chart.
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Washington, D.C.:
Sorry, but did I read this right? Terrell Owens was a word ("OK") away from becoming a Washington Redskin? Why on earth didn't they bite on the deal!
Mark Maske: Whoever came up with that report does not know how the NFL salary cap works. The Redskins could not have made that trade, and it would have been very, very difficult for the 49ers to do so.
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Washington, D.C.:
Mark,
What's with everyone raving over the Cowboys? Look, granted they are an improvement over last years team (although that isn't saying much), has it ever occured to people that they've played a really soft schedule?
Mark Maske: 5-1. Enough said. A major component of being a good team in the NFL is beating the teams you should beat. Not every team that thinks it should be good does that.
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Washington, D.C.:
Today, incredulously, I read in your article that the Skins are now working out new WRs. What? We are supposed to be loaded at WR with high draft choices and high-priced free agents! We kept six wideouts and one of them, Cliff Russel, is our third string QB! Are you sensing that this team is in complete dissaray, and that Snyder/Cerrato are simply not on the same page as the coaching staff?
Mark Maske: You always work out guys to know what's out there. It's not like Cliff Russell should feel secure about his roster spot. Plus, if you're going to work out a quarterback that you're thinking about signing, you need some guys to catch the ball when he throws it.
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Washingto, D.C.:
Hello Mr. Maske
I am a big fan of your work. In your opinion has the Ball Coach lost the respect of the majority of the players? How can you criticize the team after a loss then the next day retract your comments? It shows either a lack of a backbone or an ignorance of how to handle professional ball players. Coach Parcells on Monday pointed out at least 10 things his team did wrong on Sunday and that was after a sound defeat of the Lions.
Mark Maske: Things always look worse than they are after a few losses. You'll hear lots and lots of stuff come out for the next week or so. Some of it will be true, but most of it won't be. I don't think the players feel that much different about Spurrier and his staff than they did when the team was 3-1.
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Arlington, Va.:
Rumors are brewing to the effect that Bugel and Fazio were brought in by Snyder as potential replacements for current coaches -- i.e. Spurrier and Edwards. I believe this rumor surfaced when many coaches on the team reported never having met with Bugel during his time here in town. Is there any truth to all of this or is it unfounded speculation?
Mark Maske: Spurrier has control over his coaching staff. I don't think there's much chance of any changes being made to his staff during the season, at least not unless things get much worse than they currently are.
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Washington, D.C.:
Mark: each year we witness the same thing. The player’s effort is questioned, they are criticized and they become offended, then everyone blames the head coach. When are we going to see the players step up and play as professionals rather than take offense to what seems to be valid criticism?
Mark Maske: This does have a familiar ring to it, doesn't it? As to when the players will, to a man, accept the responsibility for what's going on, I have no idea.
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San Diego, Calif.:
What can George Edwards do to get a more effective pass rush going?
Mark Maske: At this point, I just don't know. If LaVar is not the guy to get things going, he might be out of options.
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Morgantown, W.V.:
Hi Mark. The Redskins' defense is obviously a porous one at this point. I think it is inevitable that Defensive Coordinator George Edwards will be replaced. Do you agree that as long as Edwards continues to lead this defense, they will be nothing more than a waste of talent? How long will it take for the Redskins to get rid of him?
Mark Maske: It's a little early to judge. He is seven games into his NFL tenure as a defensive coordinator. This was, however, the fifth-ranked defense in the NFL last year, so obviously the job is not getting done at this point. I'd just say to give it the entire season before judging.
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Arlington, Va.:
Hey Mark,
Assume that Spurrier doesn't turn the Skins around and he is either fired or resigns. What about George O'leary as the head coach and Ralph Friedgen as the offensive coordinator? Possible?
Mark Maske: I don't think Spurrier will be fired. I also take him at his word that he wouldn't consider resigning until the end of his third year. I've found him to be practically incapable of lying, so I'm going to believe him.
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Ashburn, Va.:
Mark,
Did Ramsey practice yeterday or just receive treatment?
Mark Maske: He practiced and said he even surprised himself with how well he was able to grip and throw the ball. I don't think there's any question that he'll be ready to play against Dallas, or the Rob Johnson/Hasselbeck move wouldn't have been made yet.
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Washington, D.C.:
I think we were not expected to win games against tough opponents from last year anyways.
I believe the Redskins will make the playoffs. Small changes are to be made that will make a huge difference. Our team looks fine. Super Bowl Redskins!
Mark Maske: To me, the key to this season from the Redskins' perspective is to be able to feel they made a step forward. That doesn't mean you have to make the playoffs. It might not even mean many more wins than last season. But you have to feel like you're headed in the right direction, that the moves you made paid off and that you're only a few improvements away from being good next season. Right now, it is impossible to have that feel about the Redskins. But as I said before, you don't want to get carried away when things are bad, only seven games into the season.
Actually, I have to run. The Redskins are coming off the practice field. They apparently want to get out of town for the bye weekend. Sorry, and see you next week.
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