Live Q&As

What a great place for us to start! Good morning, everyone, from beautiful Montreal. Or I think it's beautiful; I haven't opened the blinds yet.

Yes, I can now confirm the story: It's beautiful. So let's get started!

The smokescreens and the coyness are really annoying and I really don't think there's a need for it. No one is going to waste a first-round draft pick taking the guy you really want in order to mess with you. An agent is more than aware if you are interested in his guy; pretending you're not isn't going to lower the price. Anyone who saw the Redskins play for more than two minutes last season is aware they need offensive linemen. If they can read, they are aware they haven't made any offseason moves on the offensive line. So unless the Redskins are crazy, they will draft an offensive lineman -- or put together a deal for more draft picks so they can draft TWO offensive linemen.

That's the logic. I'm with you; they take a lineman at No. 4.

Yes, a hotline would be mandatory. They could find a sponsor and make it another revenue stream.

We will discuss the draft right here on Friday morning so for at least 30 minutes, I could do my part, I guess.

But when did you move to the maroon and black? OK, I liked Jim Zorn, but that's never going to not be funny.

I guess I'll go with what McNabb said to Wilbon over what McNabb said to ESPN. That might have been a trial balloon by someone to see how it went over. Now we know.

I think that ship has sailed. I think they'll wring a few years out of McNabb and keep watching for the QB of the future. That said, I wouldn't be surprised by a draft day surprise of some kind, given all the cloak and dagger stuff. I just think they've decided to go with an o-lineman.

Well, truthfully I don't. I think they're happy with the guy they got. McNabb is showing tremendous leadership already, calling Campbell, calling Haynesworth, setting a great example. Roethlisberger can do none of that. Not right now.

I'd like to discuss Pittsburgh's uniforms but this is a non-Pittsburgh chat. Just kidding. I can't imagine the Redskins ever dropping the burgundy and gold.

Haynesworth might draw a second-rounder, depending on what else is part of the package. Campbell would draw no better than a fourth or fifth rounder, I think. It'll be weird on Friday if the Skins aren't even on the clock for the entire night.

This is a good question: what to do with a second rounder. They might take a quarterback if they fell in love with any of these guys (other than Bradford) but it's hard to say since they won't tip their hands. If I were them, I'd take another o-lineman. In my opinion, they need to add AT LEAST two starting offensive linemen by training camp. I feel they've done a lot to the defense during free agency.

Rocky McIntosh springs to mind. :) Carlos Rogers? LaRon Landry? I don't think Shanny and Haslett can be thrilled with the secondary after watching film.

Well, I don't think it's necessarily hand wringing by fans, since Boudreau devoted a lot of practice time to it yesterday. He doesn't seem real happy with it. If they  play like they did Monday, maybe it doesn't matter. If they play like they did in the last two periods Thursday night, maybe it does. So I think it's a cause for some concern.

That is certainly a theory that's been floated.

The consensus view in sports forms the same way it does in other aspects of news coverage. Someone reports something and then everyone reports that that has been reported and then they do reporting of their own.

The consensus on Williams formed because someone wrote that he was the better lineman, or that there was no difference between him and Okung. Maybe Mel Kiper said it. Then it gets repeated as "experts say Williams is better than Okung" and it's like a snowball.

I don't know why ESPN doesn't throw in the part about McNabb denying it. Yes, they want to go with their own reporting, but Wilbon does also work for ESPN; you'd think they'd listen to him. ESPN also has a guy who can get to Shanahan, so if they aren't reporting the Shanahan denial ... that makes me wonder.

Our policy at the Post has long been that if we report something someone else broke first, we credit them. If it's later confirmed, we still credit them; if it's discounted, we report that. That was a lot easier in the days when you only had to check the Associated Press and other newspapers every morning. Now stuff is being written all the time, everywhere. Hard to know who is saying what, and what out there is legitimate and what's just talking.

Sorry, I went on too long there.

True, but don't the other GMs know exactly what the Skins need? Could Bruce Allen say to someone, "Naw, we don't need an offensive lineman"? Who would believe that? I know you're right and that's part of it, I just think it's nuts. It is the NFL's world, though. Boy is it ever.

And we haven't even gotten to the Skins' schedule yet. Any predictions?

Yes, I heard someone theorizing that they could get a first- or second-rounder for Campbell. Just think it's impossible.

Well, I'd make that trade, but if the Rams take Clausen over Bradford ... forget the Washington hotline. Put that in St. Louis. I don't think Bradford's the second coming, but Clausen ...

Yes, good point, free safety is a concern. I don't think they'd get a second-rounder for Andre, who's coming off surgery, for one reason. But in general I think that's too high. And I really like Andre Carter.

Yes, having four draft picks is really reprehensible. Plus it's no fun. Cuisine is fine. Spring is here. Or at least it has been.

I think if they found a way to get Eric Berry and a tackle and lose Haynesworth, there'll be a statue of Bruce Allen at FedEx by the home opener. That would be some sweet maneuvering.

On every team, some guys prefer to play with one goalie over another, or so I'm told.

I don't think Jose has lost the team -- I keep going back to 20-0-3 since Jan. 13 -- and if Varly has a bad game, you can bet he'll get the hook. Boudreau's quick to pull a goalie. I also don't see a dent in Jose's confidence. Not yet, anyway.

Maybe in the new scheme he'll be better. I wasn't that sold on him last year but perhaps it was positional. I think the defense in general felt they were handcuffed into a system they didn't like last year. That's sort of percolating to the top now that they have seen the new system. You may well be right.

On my first try I came out to 8-8 as well. I do think it's a little early and we'll want to play this game again after the draft and the next minicamp, so let's do that.

It's the eighth-toughest schedule in the league, according to the league. I think 10 wins might be possible but I want to see the results of the draft and some more offensive moves. With the current offensive line, I think it's too optimistic. But they won't have the current offensive line by August. Right? RIGHT?

Here's a vote for coyness. The other difference is that, being in the media, I want to know what's going on. Fans want the team to do whatever it takes to get the job done, and if that includes being secretive, so be it. I totally get that.

I want to do this just so I can use the name Maurkice Pouncey in a sentence. Plus, who doesn't need aroma therapy candles?

Good question. This is one of those I can't answer because of the Coyness Factor. I think if they could trade down and get a top lineman on their board plus another pick, they'd do it. But that's just a guess.

Which will soon be reported somewhere as "the Washington Post says ..." so I think I'll shut up now. We've run a little over and still didn't get to all the questions so I'm sorry for that.

I won't be here tomorrow because of travel, but Friday morning we'll discuss the draft, Game 5 and whatever else drives up between now and then. Thanks, everyone!

Sorry, had to throw this out there for the other end of the prediction spectrum. Here's someone who might need the hotline.

Au revoir!