After his recent "crusade" of words, McNabb is the only one who is all smiles Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

In the world of sports, one is destined to hear or see something confusing at often times, causing them to ask themselves, in the words of the late-great Andy Rooney, “Did you ever wonder why?” Being a Washington Redskins fan, you all may, I mean do, know what I’m talking about. It seems like every day there is new drama we are dealing with, and sometimes we can’t decipher it. Each week, I will take the most mind-boggoling piece of Redskins news and ask myself and all who listen, “Did you ever wonder why?”

In this weeks edition, I will discuss an interesting topic. On Wednesday, disgruntled ex-quatarback turn analyst Donovan McNabb had some harsh words for the Redskins and coach Mike Shanahan.

“McNever” was a guest along-side controversial television host Skip Bayless, via “First Take” ESPN2. After a series of questions, McNabb was asked if he believes Robert Griffin III will succeed in the Shanahan offense. His reply was a simple “no”, but good ole’ Don was just getting started.

Here of some of the comments McNabb had to say for his old team:

Are you going to cater the offense around his talent and what he’s able to do? Or are you going to bring the Houston offense?

Of course, McNabb is referring to Kyle Shanahan’s former work in Houston with the Texans, a completely useless statement if you ask me. Obviously, the Redskins are going to do everything they can to “cater” the offense around this rookie powerhouse. It would be foolish of them not to.

I was misused (in Washington). Absolutely.

Now this is the part where you might feel a little bad for the guy. In his defense, the Shanny’s had a much different plan than he was prepared for. But, he might not of had tried to cope as hard as he could, and make the team better. But taking shots at your old ball club is never the answer, ecspecially when they gave him chance and helped him off the beach after he had “washed-up”.

  A lot of times ego gets too involved when it comes to being in Washington.

I can also see where he’s coming from here, but i believe Bruce Allen and Mike Shanahan will do everything to make sure RGIII’s superstar status doesn’t get in the way of the team. McNabb’s ego got in the way during his tenure with the ‘Skins, and that affected him greatly. Some may also think head coach Mike Shanahan’s ego will get in the way, but who’s wouldn’t when your trying to win games and your on the “hot seat”.

If this doesn’t work this year — we don’t see the splash, like a Cam Newton splash — this could be it

In case your not catching on, McNabb is commenting on the chances Shanahan stays in Washington in Griffin fails, like past projects Rex Grossman and John Beck, as well as the “man behind the desk”, Donovan McNabb. Shanahan will be all but dead if RG3(or Andrew Luck) doesn’t pan out as projected. But, this was clearly another chance to take a shot at Washington, so he took it.

As for it not working this year, I don’t see it happening. Griffin will come in with a lot of energy and positive attitude, and it may be enough to push the Redskins into the play-offs for the first time in serval seasons.

I can understand the last quote, but then McNabb went on a rant about past QB’s Mike has failed with as a coach, misleading us viewers even more. Already mentioning Beck and Grossman, he went on to make comments about Jay Cutler and Jake Plummer, as well as Brian Griese, all during his time in Denver. He even managed to make a few statistical errors along the way.

The bottom line is “sour grapes” are a real thing(or type of self-pity), and are clearly the motive behind this most recent discussion. McNabb failed in Washington, and there is no changing that. Yes, you feel a little sorry for someone who was forced to leave the game, but he brought it amongst himself.

After all is said and done, the question remaining is:

“Did you ever wonder why” McNabb said all this? Was he a little jealous of what Griffin may be?

I want to hear your thoughts fans.

In 2002, Weinstein was honored by the Washington, D.C., Achievement in Radio Awards as Best Sports Reporter for his coverage on Sportstalk 980. - ESPN MediaZone

We’ve managed to do it again. The miracle that is social networking has led us to an in-depth interview with ESPN’s Bram Weinstein. Some of you may remember Bram from his days at ESPN Radio, others from ESPN News or Sportscenter. Mr. Weinstein is a Maryland native, having grown up in Silver Spring and attended Springbrook High School in Montgomery County. Bram is of course now an anchor for ESPN. Through a few persistent tweets, a little curiosity and a few “#Redskins”, I was able to lock up what turned into about a two hour interview. If you’re familiar with the blog, you may recall my interview a few months ago with ESPN’s Jemele Hill. Well, Bram is a true Redskins fan and boy did he have a lot of knowledge to share. This is part one of our chat. Enjoy!

RR – First we gotta do a background check. How’d you become a Skins fan? Was it by birth, or did you choose?

Bram was a product of the first Joe Gibbs Era

BW – Birth and choice. I grew up in Silver Spring and was fortunate to have my formative years be during the Joe Gibbs era. It also helped that my best friend down the street had grandparents with season tickets and his parents never wanted to go so I went with him and his grandparents who were the craziest Skins fans you would have ever met.

BW – The grandmother used to put a hex on the other team, and I swear it worked like 86% of the time.

RR – The best kind of fan.

RR – So the tickets, I’m assuming this was RFK. How was RFK? Does FedEx even compare?

BW – Yes RFK, hallowed ground, never to be replicated or duplicated. I feel for those who never saw a game there, it’s not the same. The stadium shook, seriously.

BW – As for Fed Ex, I covered the team for eight years and have had season tickets for longer so I’ve been countless times and no they do not compare. (more…)

Jemele Hill is a columnist and analyst for ESPN.

Through the miracle of social networking I was able to secure a few moments with ESPN’s own Jemele Hill. We spoke about the Redskins, her 49ers, twitter, “Uncle Ron”, fantasy football and her road to ESPN. You can follow her professional account @JemeleHill and go ahead and give me a follow @KMawyer2, while you’re at it. Here is her interview in it’s entirety. Enjoy.

Riggo’s Rag - So, how did you get your start in journalism?

Jemele Hill – I’ve known I’ve wanted to be a sports journalist since I was 15 years old. I lived in Detroit and read both the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News sports sections every day. I was a huge sports fan and tomboy. I became involved with my high school newspaper and began working in the Free Press’ sports department, answering phones.

RR- Was working at ESPN an ultimate goal of yours or did the opportunity seem to present itself through the course of your work as a writer? Did you cover any other sports?

JH- I never thought about working at ESPN. I wanted to be the next Gary Smith, and work for Sports Illustrated. I was a newspaper baby. After i graduated from Michigan State, I worked as a general assignment sports reporter for the Raleigh News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C. I was there for almost two years and then I returned to the Detroit Free Press to cover Michigan State football & basketball. I covered Michigan State for six years, but also got the opportunity to cover the NBA playoffs, and the 2004 Olympics. I left there in 2005 for my first column job at the Orlando Sentinel. I didn’t want to be a columnist, either. But I looked around the landscape and noticed how other columnists were able to use their platform to create multimedia opportunities in radio, television, and online.I did a piece on Willis McGahee, and it was noticed by some people at ESPN. I had a dinner meeting with Keith Clinkscales (who used to head ESPN’s content development department and recently started his own media company) and the rest, as they say, is history.

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