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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Image courtesy of Rob Carr/Getty Images North America

Article by guest contributor Joey Billhimer

In what looks to be a ‘must-win’ game, John Beck leads the Washington Redskins (3-5) to South Beach to take on the Miami Dolphins (1-7). The Dolphins are coming off a much needed blow-out victory, defeating the surging Kansas City Chiefs. On the other hand, the Redskins have lost in four straight contests, having won their last game in early October against the depleted St. Louis Rams. Both teams have the power and tools to win this match-up, but only one will prevail. Here are some key statistical comparisons for Sunday’s game:

Quarterback

This is a category that has haunted both teams all season long.

WSH: Rex Grossman lost his starting position to John Beck in Week 6. So far, neither have looked impressive. John Beck has a 60.6 completion percentage, having thrown for 858 yards, 2 TD’s, and 4 interceptions.

MIA: The situation isn’t much prettier in Miami either. Losing starter Chad Henne to what may be a season-ending shoulder injury was a major blow. His replacement Matt Moore, did not please Dolphin fans too much, until his 3 touchdown performance last week against the Chiefs. Moore has thrown for 950 yards, completing 61.6% of his passes, with 4 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Look for both quarterbacks to stick with short, simple passes to their go-to guys.

Running Back

Although both teams have a lot talent at this position, the “groove” just hasn’t been found. The Dolphins acquired Reggie Bush from the Saints this offseason, and the Redskins drafted rookie Roy Helu from Nebraska and Tim Hightower from the Arizona Cardinals. With Hightower on IR for a knee injury, the rookie Helu is starting in D.C. In his first start last week against San Francisco, the former Nebraska star set a Redskins record with 13 receptions for 104 yards. For the year, Helu has rushed for 172 yards, averaging just 4.6 yards per carry. In Miami, Reggie Bush has finally gotten the chance to be “the man.” After a rough start, Bush has run the ball 88 times for 427 yards, averaging 4.9 yards per carry with one T.D. With both offensive lines looking better last week, expect both teams to have a decent running game. (more…)

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Article by guest contributor Joey Billhimer

From the looks of the season’s first half, Washington Redskins players and fans alike may be in for another long season. After going through a “rebuilding” phase last season, Mike Shanahan and his team of two years looked to be somewhat straightened out. Over the summer, trades were made to remove two of Washington’s biggest problems on and off the field: Donavan McNabb and Albert Haynesworth. Even with the pair gone, critics had had their doubts about the relatively young team. Going against all nay-sayers, Rex Grossman predicted that the Redskins would win the division, a long shot on any experts playoff picks. But, Rex and the ‘Skins bolted off to a 3-1 start, and fans had something to look forward to heading into the bye week atop a difficult NFC East. (more…)