Hey everybody. I'm back for our first chat since we did one at midseason when the Redskins were 5-3 and in position to claim an NFC wild card spot. Obviously, a lot has happened since, including Sean Taylor's killing and four consecutive losses that leave the Redskins on the edge of the playoff picture entering tomorrow night's game against Chicago.

I have a couple of questions in the mailbag ready to go. Send your questions to skinsmailbag@washingtontimes.com

From Larry in Silver Spring:
Will tomorrow night's game be as emotional as Sunday's, or do you think everyone's ready to move on and focus on football?

Ryan O'Halloran:
I do think the focus will be on football for the Redskins. The vibe around the team yesterday was competely different than it was last week after Taylor's death. When you mention emotion, it's surprising that the Redskins didn't come out with more fire or passion -- they were completing flat. Maybe attending the funeral will give some guys a sense of closure and they can be focused on the current task -- saving their season with a win over the equally desperate 5-7 Bears.

From Jeff G. in Arlington:
I know how close Clinton Portis was with Sean Taylor, and you can see how hard he's taken Sean's death. Do you think it will have any lasting effect on his on-field performance? Clinton obviously struggled against the Bills -- was that an aberration, or cause for concern?

Ryan O'Halloran:
I think Portis bounces back with a good game tomorrow night. He had 25 carries for just 50 yards against the Bills but that was a product of Buffalo playing both safeties near the line of scrimmage and having a solid run defense. Portis didn't exactly have a lot of running room.

From Shalin:
I was wondering if Clinton Portis is going to play tomorrow? There was mention that he hurt his ankle / knee on Sunday against the Bills? Just wondering if Betts will get a look since it is a short healing week for CP?

Ryan O'Halloran:
I expect Portis to play. He told me in the locker room yesterday that he felt pretty good for a Tuesday. Betts is a possiblity to get some more work if Portis' injuries give him trouble early in the game.

From Barry in Reston:
How concerning was Joe Gibbs' performance on Sunday with the timeouts and 10-men-on-the-field?

Ryan O'Halloran:
Very concerning. On the 10-men tribute, Gibbs should have been kept in the loop on that and said as much yesterday. I can't really blame Joe on that one. On the rule deal -- can't call consecutive timeouts to freeze the kicker -- that's a big-time issue. It probably didn't alter the game, Rian Lindell had just connected from 51 yards before the first timeout was called. But there has to be somebody on that staff to get in Joe's ear and tell him/remind him of the rules. In his current game-day role, Gibbs has few duties: Timeouts, replay challenges and fourth-down decisions. He has to be sharper.

From Paul in Arlington:
Is this it for Coach Joe? I'm torn between loyalty to the guy, seeing
him in an obviously tough situation and also wanting him kicked out
to the curb? What are your thoughts?

Ryan O'Halloran:
Tough to say. He won't be kicked to the curb, that's for sure. The decision undoubtedly will be his and his alone. The Danny won't fire him or even send him upstairs to the front office for a year. Last Sunday's game and the timeout fiasco should force Joe to ask himself this question; How much have some of my game-day decisions hurt the cause this year? There is plenty of evidence to suggest it has.

From Bill in Raleigh, N.C.:
So if Joe Gibbs is gone after the year, who's up for that spot? Does
Gregg Williams have any competition?

Ryan O'Halloran:
I think Williams is the leader right now for the post unless The Danny wants to make some noise and blow up the entire operation (save for the front office and VInny, of course). If Williams gets the job, the questions are then: A) Does Al Saunders stay? B) How does Williams co-exist with a front office that likes to get older players?

Ryan O'Halloran:
That's all the questions for today. I'll be back later in the month to wrap things up with a chat.