Thank You Dallas, I'm Off to DC

In a few weeks, I'll be headed to Washington, D.C. to start on a new adventure. After two years in Dallas, I've been hired as the Redskins beat reporter at ESPN980, the Redskins flagship radio station.

The feedback as I've told people has been amazing. I hope that everyone can have the support I've felt not only in the last two days, but in the last month of my decision making process. From my parents to friends to professional mentors, I've been able to get an incredible amount of crucial input that helped me make what in the end was an easy decision. This was a job that was just too good to pass up.

That, however, doesn't mean what I'm leaving is anything to sneeze at and I never will. There were certainly times over the last year and a half where I was frustrated, but I was always cognizant that I was in a position that was borderline insane for someone my age. I learned a lot about patience and professionalism over the last two years, all while having an incredible job all things considered.

While I'm very much looking forward to getting back on the east coast and being within driving distance of so many family and friends I haven't been able to see consistently or at all, I'm going to miss Dallas immensely. The people here welcomed me with open arms and I don't have a bad word to say about this place beyond "it's hot as hell in the summer." If that's the worse you've got, than you're doing pretty good.

That's where I've been. Now to where I'm going and what I'm doing.

The new position is Redskins beat reporter for ESPN 980, but that's just the start. I'll be at practice, gathering sound and doing hits on our air on the team throughout the season. I'll be at games and have a role in pre-game, halftime and post-game on the Redskins Radio Network. I'll also be keeping a blog at ESPN980.com that we think will have not only written word, but perhaps some audio stories.

I had a great conversation with another reporter on my recent trip to NBA Summer League in Las Vegas about storytelling. I miss getting to do that. We think there will be a place for me to do that in this job. That doesn't happen in radio. I certainly hope we can make that happen.

It's no secret though that I want to be a host long-term and I'll have the opportunity to do that plenty in my new role. During the season it might be sporadic, but I'll be a part of shows consistently even if it's as a guest. During the off-season, I'll be hosting consistently on a fill-in basis. Every day will be something different. That's exciting. I love variety. This job has it.

This is an important job that's had high level people do it in the past and I don't take the responsibility likely. Luckily, I'm working with an amazing team at 980 and I'm very much looking forward to getting started.

7-18 DJ & Hoff: Scott Van Pelt from St. Andrews

Scott Van Pelt checks in from Scotland to talk about The Open Championship.



At the end of the interview, I was able to share some thoughts with Scott on his recently ended radio show. I've always thought it's important to show appreciation where it's due and I learned more from listening to Scott and Ryen Russillo do their show than I did from anywhere else about radio. Simply put, to have the opportunity to share that was pretty damn cool.

Jenny Taft on WWC

Fox Sports USWNT Insider Jenny Taft talks to me on the eve of the final, where the US looks for revenge against Japan.



Coverage is at 4pm on your local Fox station.