I can watch as much of NFL Films as I’d like but I’ll never know the feeling of John Riggins running through the Miami defense in Super Bowl XVII. I’ll never know what it was like to have a Super Bowl Champion hold a parade on the streets of Washington, DC in the 1980′s or 90′s. For us younger fans, all we have known is frustration and disappointment.

Whether it was Brunell’s knee starting to give in the 2007 season or the death of Sean Taylor earlier that year, we just don’t know how to handle success. For most of my life in this region I’ve been subjected to Cowboys fans that believe their team is somehow superior with the greatest choke artist of all-time at quarterback. I pity the Cowboys because they are now stuck in neutral with an owner like Jerry Jones and a quarterback that can’t decide whether or not he wants to be great. The Dallas talk is aside from the point I’m trying to make. What I’m trying to say is that the Washington Redskins success in 2012 is something that half of the fans have been waiting for and something the other half doesn’t even know that they’re missing.

I took to twitter earlier and posted this:

I guess if there was any franchise that could feel the pain of our beloved Redskins, it would be the Detroit Lions. The response, by the way, was from one of our Fansided affiliates at SideLionReport.com (check ‘em out). I guess things could be worse in DC. Anyway, back to the rant.

I, along with many other twenty-something-and-under Redskins fans are ready for a streak of brilliance. We are ready to hear Robert Griffin III or Andrew Luck’s name called on draft day. We’re ready to forget all the pain from the last two decades and move on to the brilliance to come. Are we sure that Mike Shanahan has all the answers? No. Are we positive that RGIII or Luck will deliver a Lombardi trophy in the next few years? Absolutely not. We do know, however, that unlike previous seasons there real is hope. Real, tangible hope. There is a reason to show up to the third preseason game at home and watch our team take on the Indianapolis Colts like it’s Super Bowl XLVII. I personally believe we are approximately 22 days from the beginning of an incredible era. I know most of the Skins youth believe it too because I can feel it when I talk to them. The older generations are essentially taking a “wait and see” stance on the whole process, which is understandable. The drafting of Robert Griffin III or Andrew Luck is going to place the pressure of an entire fan base and city on their shoulders. Our only hope is that they can deliver and right the course for our often misguided franchise.

Nov 30, 2008; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis (26) runs out onto the field carrying a flag with the number 21 in honor of former player Sean Taylor before the game against the New York Giants at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Mills/THE STAR-LEDGER via US PRESSWIRE

A post about the Redskins’ recent history wouldn’t be complete without a shout out to the late great Sean Taylor, so there it is. His fumble return against Tampa Bay may be the single greatest memory I have of this franchise and for that I am forever indebted to him. I can only hope that this next month of the NFL’s offseason will set our franchise up for success during the next twenty years.

If you’ve enjoyed or been moderately entertained by this rant you can follow me on twitter @KMawyer2. 

Prince George's Hospital, where Young was flown after his accident

Michael Young (46) was born in Prince George’s County, Maryland and was a self proclaimed Redskins fan from birth. He was your average high school student, graduating from Gwynn Park in 1984. At the age of 21, however, Mike was involved in an automobile accident in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The vehicle he was riding in was flipped upside down and the driver was ejected. Thankfully, Big Mike wore his seatbelt. The seatbelt had temporarily saved his life, but there was another issue immediately after the accident had occurred. There was a leak in the gasoline tank. As police arrived on the scene they successfully removed him from the vehicle that would eventually burst into flames and explode shortly thereafter.

I died three times, twice in the helicopter that took me to the hospital and once inside of P.G. Hospital.

Needless to say, at this point of the “interview” I was speechless.

Michael suffered nerve damage to his head, neck, and entire right side of his body. His speech was also affected by the accident. For the ensuing 25 years, Mike has done nothing but improve his community through volunteering and rooting for his Redskins. The team has been there for him through the good and the bad, as Mike has been there for the team. (more…)

Nike's new line of receiver gloves that will debut in Honolulu tomorrow.

As many of our readers know, Nike will be taking over Reebok as the sole provider for NFL Equipment from 2012 forward. This includes jerseys, cleats (where applicable), socks and yes- gloves. I tend to conjure up images of Mark Ingram holding up his hands and the inner palms forming two “A’s” (representing Alabama, duh), when I think about Nike and gloves. These take that concept to a whole new level. Not only do they feature the team logo, but they are in color and even form the logo with the palms crossed. I find these to be a work of art, but then again I believe the Maryland uniforms with the flag on the helmet are also beautiful (an Under Armour product). Nike will look to take the NFL into the modern era with uniform upgrades galore for teams that are willing.

During the summer Rich Tandler’s RealRedskins.com featured some mocks of possible pro-combat style uniforms by Nike. Here is one of the ideas being circulated. (more…)