Leftovers – Week 9
This week’s leftovers from THN Weekly with Andre Carter include how Andre spent his bye week, what it’s going to take to turn things around with the Redskins, the big plays given up to opposing offenses and Albert Haynesworth’s assessment following the team’s loss to the Eagles stating that the fans are losing interest and the team needs to find its “want-to.”
THN: It was written on the Washington Post’s Redskins Insider blog that Coach Blache said Albert Haynesworth isn’t the reason for your improved performance but you’ve said several times that he makes the people around him better, especially you. Why does what Blache says contradict with what you have said? http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/jason-reid/a-helping-and-from-haynesworth.html#more
AC: I couldn’t even tell you. I do know that the sacks I have is God’s gift. How I am playing is God’s gift. I have always worked hard and prepared my mind and body for the season. My faith and focus has grown from 2001 as a rookie to 2009 as a vet. Haynsworth has been a great addition but the other men on the field have done their part as well. I have worked with [Cornelius] Griffin, [Brian] Orakpo, [Kedric] Golston, when Haynsworth needed a blow. I thank all my teammates first and foremost.
THN: What, in your opinion, is it going to take to turn this ship around?
AC: Faith and believing that we can get this turned around.
THN: Is the team getting frustrated losing to division opponents (especially on national TV)?
AC: I think the team hates losing period no matter who we play. The division opponents hurt the worse because it puts you in a bind when you are trying to make a playoff run.
THN: How did you spend your bye week?
AC: I spent a lot of quality time with the family. Took my son on the merry go round and took many naps, during the day. I am well rested now.
THN: “Urgency, heart, ‘want-to,’ whatever. I don’t know. We’re lacking a lot of stuff right now. The fans are losing interest. The more games we play, the fewer fans come. It’s getting bad.” That was a quote from Albert Haynesworth by the Associated Press after the Eagles game. Is Albert correct and does he have a point? How does the team find its “want-to”?
AC: It’s about making a choice. We can choose to play hard and win or chose to be inconsistent. It’s the matter of having the want to.
THN: It seems as the defensive line improves and applies more pressure to the quarterback, the secondary gives up more big plays. Do you believe that assessment and if so, what will it take for the defense to come to a happy medium and be able to provide blanket coverage in the secondary to go along with pressuring the quarterback consistently?
AC: I feel as a defense we are getting better. There are many things we need to work on. Tackling, controlling our gaps, etc. One thing we do well is play hard, fast and together. As a defensive line we continue to communicate and focus on stopping the run and rushing the passer.
THN: Is the defense blitzing enough?
AC: Greg Blache makes the call and we go out and play. We haven’t blitzed as much I think due to the success of our four man rush.
THN: Clinton Portis only had 43 yards and was the team’s leading rusher against Philly. What is the reason for his lack of production (for his standards, at least)? Is it because of a decline on his end or the troubles with the offensive line?
AC: I really don’t know. It’s really hard to say.
THN: What do you do to handle the stress of a single loss or even a losing season? What do you do to get your mind right and do you think your teammates are taking to correct measures to appropriately handle the team’s current situation?
AC: My faith, my family and the great men and coaches that I work with gets me through the day. In life, if it’s good or bad, you always have to have a positive perspective.
Tags: Albert Haynesworth, Andre Carter, Associated Press, Brian Orakpo, clinton portis, Cornelius Griffin, Greg Blache, kedric golston, philadelphia eagles