Faithful Redskins fan Joan Day of Middleburg not only follows the team, she has excellent advice for Coach Joe Gibbs and she can make an exceptional claim: Coach Gibbs listens closely to her suggestions.

When Gibbs returned to coach the Redskins this past June, she wrote to him to express her joy and support.

In her letter, she reminded him of a previous correspondence by saying, "….I am sure you don't remember, but I wrote you a fan letter years ago during the J.K. Cook years. In that letter I urged you to replace Jay Schroeder with Doug Williams, and you called me up!"

Remembering her phone call from Coach Gibbs, Joan said he told her he really appreciated receiving mail and comments from fans.

"For about a year, I had bragging rights with my three quarterback sons!"

Day's advice was good. That year. 1988, Doug Williams took the Redskins to a win at Superbowl 22 in San Diego, California.

In Joan's recent letter she said, "I decided, when I turned 80, to give no more advice, so you're on your own, Coach."

But thinking the coach might want to comment on Day's excellent guidance, we visited Redskin training camp last week after the team's pre-season win over the Denver Broncos.

Cindy Mangum, Gibbs personal secretary of ten years, explained that the Coach had ruled out any personal interviews.

"There are simply not enough minutes in the day," she said.

Cindy remembered Joan's letter and it seems only logical that, if Gibbs can come out of retirement to return the Redskins to the winning column, Joan's advice would be as valid and valuable today as it was almost 20 years ago.

So watch this space for Joan Day's player picks and suggestions for Coach Gibbs. She thinks it's too early to say for sure, but, based on the Monday Night Football preseason opener, Tim Hasselbeck, number four, is her QB bet so far.

Hasselbeck was named the permanent starter in 2003 prior to the week 13 gave vs. New Orleans. He finished the season 95-of117 for 1,102 yards and five touchdowns.

We'll check in with Joan for her Redskin scoop each month.

Maybe Coach Gibbs will too.