Saunders: I call the plays

5:48 p.m.

Al Saunders set the record straight today at Redskin Park: He calls all the offensive plays and coach Joe Gibbs makes the decision on whether the Washington Redskins kick a field goal or go for it on fourth down.

Period.

“I have the responsibility of calling the offensive plays — there’s no conflict on whose calling the plays,” said Saunders, the Redskins’ associate head coach.

Misunderstandings have filled the D.C. airwaves — particularly on sports talk radio — this week, particularly suggesting that Gibbs takes a more active role in the play calling once the Redskins reach the opponent’s 35-yard line. Gibbs and Saunders say that’s hardly the case.

“We always have discussions between series and he’s a great resource,” Saunders said. “But during a drive, there’s no time to have input from anybody or else we get delay of game calls.”

Saunders said he has 10 seconds to call a play and he relays it to quarterbacks coach Bill Lazor, who in turn tells quarterback Mark Brunell.

Following a series, Saunders first talks with offensive line coach Joe Bugel and also gets input from Gibbs and the other offensive assistants on what is and isn’t working and which plays might work on the next possession.