On protecting the quarterback against the Steelers defense:

"We've learned that if we keep Jason (Campbell) healthy and hit-free that he will do some good things for us."

On his thoughts about playing on Monday Night Football:

"There is always something special about playing on Monday night no matter who you're playing. You are the only show in town and everyone is going to be watching. It's a statement game, no matter who you are playing and especially for us because people want to see what the Washington Redskins are all about and if we are for real. This is when we have to come out and let people know what we are."

On whether the game against the Steelers could be ugly because of two good defensive teams:

"It could be. Our goal is to go out there, clean things up and make sure that it's not. Anytime you play against a defense like theirs or one like ours it could be slow at the beginning you just have to come out and attack."

On whether it's the scheme or the personnel that makes the Steelers more effective:

"I think that it's a little bit of both and I don't think that you can point to one thing. The 3-4 defense is not the most common defense because it's not one that you see all the time. They had the 3-4 defense for a long time, so they built the personnel around it."

On whether quarterback Jason Campbell and running back Clinton Portis are MVP candidates:

"I don't think that there is any question. Jason (Campbell) hasn't thrown an interception and Clinton (Portis) has ran very well, but we're only half way there. An MVP has to do it for the whole season and that's what we are counting on those guys to do."