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. 

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…)

Capping off the 2010 season, Moss had a career high 93 receptions for 1,115 yards and 6 touchdowns.  2010 is the 2nd most productive year in Santana Moss’ career.  His signature season was also his first in Washington.  In 2005 Moss accumulated 1,483 yards and 9 touchdowns on 84 receptions. 

Santana quickly made a name for himself in just his second game as a Washington Redskin by hauling in two late long bombs shocking rival Dallas 14-13 before a national audience on Monday night.  For many, this moment ranks #1 in Redskins history over the past decade. 

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