Brian Mitchell resurfaces at WIP
Earlier today, we wrote about ex-Eagle Brian Mitchell and his departure from ESPN 980 in D.C.
Brian Mitchell resurfaces at WIP
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Former Eagle Brian Mitchell said his firing from a radio station in D.C. was at least partly due to his criticism of the Redskins. (File photo)
Earlier today, we wrote about ex-Eagle Brian Mitchell and his departure from ESPN 980 in D.C.
The station said they let Mitchell go because of the economy, but the former special-teams ace told USA Today that it may have had more to do with his criticism of Dan Snyder and the Redskins' organization.
Snyder, you see, owns the radio station.
We also mentioned that B-Mitch resurfaced last week as a co-host of Howard Eskin on WIP. But was that a temporary move by the station, or do they have bigger plans for Mitchell?
We reached out to station manager Marc Rayfield to get more information.
"When he became available, we decided to take a look," Rayfield said in an e-mail. "Where we might potentially use him is yet to be determined but the feedback from our listeners has been tremendous."
Mitchell spent three seasons with the Birds (2000-2002) and did a Monday night radio show on WIP.
Rayfield added that he never doubted Mitchell's football expertise, but has been pleasantly surprised about his knowledge of other sports.
For more on Mitchell's comments regarding why he was let go in D.C., click here.
So what do you think? Would B-Mitch be a good addition as a regular on WIP?
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Comments (81)
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Once a Redskin, always a Redskin.— SayHello2MyLittleFriend- drop Ike ASAP and replace him with B-Mitch. Put him with Howard and I'll still never listen.— knight
- He's boring. Just because you played doesn't mean you can talk about it. Douglas is lazy and brutal. Ike Reese at least works hard and you can tell he makes an effort. Why not bring in Terry Hoag for a show then while we're at it?— davekrieg
- i wondered who the other clueless person with eskin was. just what they need, another under-educated football player to talk about ota's. Moron called last week to thank him for his service!? Was he a war hero too? Cant wait to hear his thoughts on the Phillies. He and Hugh Douglas should do a show together.— working guy
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I agree, Douglas just mails it in - hearing his voice is a signal to hit the button ASAP. Ike tries, and at least he's willing to occasionally talk about something other than football (usually hoops). On TV, Mitchell seems way more polished than Douglas and Reese put together.— 1980- I can only listen to the midday show and when ray didinger is on. That's about it.— tdk2343
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- Dykstra would send rating through the roof, give him a shot for a week or two, whats the worst that could happen?— LCVET
- I like Ike and I think he's one of those guys that will only get better.— phillyylliph
- I like Ike and I think he's one of those guys that will only get better.— phillyylliph
- Douglas and Reece are very difficult to listen to...they offer some good behind the scenes insight, but otherwise are uninteresting. very few good shows on WIP. weekday afternoon with macnow and the cuz is great, as is macnow and didinger on saturdays. All the rest, garbage. wouldn't even tune it.— rascal b. schuylkillian
- Not sure whose the worst: ex-eagles, eskin, ria hughes, macnow. should do a show on that- top 10 reasons not to listen. Cataldi can host and Morgani can provide usual witty banter.— working guy
- Don't listen to WIP anymore. Jody Mac and Missinelli are the way to go. Rather listen to espn's national morning show than those clowns in the morning.— d27schaal
- Macnow? Glen Macnow? the guy who does movie club? great hoagie debate? he's awful. overcompensating to cover his desire to wear a dress.— working guy
- I wish Philadelphia had sports talk in the morning that I could listen to.— ktdb05
- Yes, Hugh is a nice, boring guy; Ike is mediocre but tries hard. B Mitch wouldn't provide much. WIP needs Adam Kaplan. The morning crew is awful except for Rhea. Eskin often gives new information but he and Cataldi are awful chauvinists, T & A guys.— jonnyB
- WIPs morning show is the worst...I dont think they even talk about sports...everytime I turn it on Angelo is rambling about toilets or something along those lines...Gargano is by far the best, I actually feel like i'm listening to a Philly guy talk about sports— relly142
- I hope that he's Macnow's replacement. Macnow doesn't even like or cares about sports.— ED4050
- B-Mitch was good, but the guy they had on with Eskin a couple weeks ago, Adam "The Bull", was excellent. I didn't think I'd like him since he was a New Yawker, but he was very knowledgable and had some great insights. Bring back "The Bull".— Jeff
- Not sure how many former players 610 can put on the air. These guys all have the same one-sport, pro-player, anti-management, perspective. When will WIP learn that popular former players will only take you so far...you need to have meaningful insights and actual radio skills to last on the air. The glory days of Sports Talk radio are gone...whats left is a just a series of gimmicks (Wing Bowl, the morning show, former players with limited knowledge, etc.).— nwphillyguy
- yeah, just what we need, eskin & kaplan.............— working guy
- Mike and Mike in the Morning are the worst. Why should I care when about they talk about the Angel's middle relievers...this is Philly.— arb
- Ike, Hugh or Eskin send me to 950 prontissimo.— fred2fred1
listened to b - mich. on john thompson show here in virginia. he's ok. definately speaks his mind. the funniest thing this spring was brian and john talking capitals playoff hockey with al coken. sign him up!- I don't like Mike and Mike much either. But I would rather hear about the Angel's middle relievers than listen to Angelo Cataldi wipe the drool off his chin and ask a 20 year old girl what she looks for in a guy. And hearing the screeching voice of know-nothing-know-it-all Rhea Hughes is not much better either.— AreaMan
- I agree with d27...I'm done with WIP. Missanelli on 950 is much better than anything on wip.— tony rocky horror
remember when stewie and brian had a radio show on family guy?... thats what its like to listen to mike missinelli. way to over the top, dingo and the baby... ike and the rest of the station are pretty good- Angelo blows— bag853
- Missanelli is eskin,jr. Why do you think thsoe two couldn't get along when together on WIP? Angelo canbe a jerk. Which is why Morganti and Rhea are good for the show. BTW,Rhea Hughes knows more about sports than most of the commentators here.Macnow is excellent. Gargano is good, but he's getting over the top with all his "rules" about whocanwear what or do what. Besides, I like some of the diversions because how many times can you listen to callers make the same comments about Jimmy Rollins or Donovan McNabb or how bad the Sixers are?— mike l
- As a Philly fan now living in the D.C. area, I liked Mitchell on local sports radio. He is not afraid to criticize or to praise, and seems to have his feet on the ground and his head into sports. D.C.'s loss may be Phildelphia's gain.— madridge
- waaaay better than Ike Reese & Trotter, who are both unlistenable -----no brainer--if WIP won't let Rob Ellis take the 7-11 pm slot you've got to give it to B. Mitch..... please get rid of Ike at night---I can't listen to WIP anymore because of him---awful!
- used to listen to Mikey Miss until I realized he's a DMac hater & T.O. lover-----
- 950 espn would be wise to move on B.Mitch for the 7-10pm time slot if WIP doesn't give him an offer.
- I would highly prefer to listen to more of Don Tollefson.I am loving what he's doing on ESPN 950!— jduff
I like Ike. I like Hugh! Like the whole line-up except for 3 to 7. Missanelli is a total punk. All Sports All the Time! No thanks! Like the hoagies, like Angelo's antics. My life will not change one iota whether the Phillies, Eagles, Flyers or Sixers ever win again! I stil gotta go out and earn a living. WIP is a great mix of what I want! (Except for 3 to 7).— Nihilist- (Mikey Miss + Joday Mac)x 950 ESPN > all the bums on 610— MTbelly
- The trashy morning show is like "Howard Stern meets Philly Sports" and Eskin is nothing more than the unofficial lapdog of the Eagles. I'll take 950 any day over 610. At least its legitimate, unbiased sports talk.— riles1875
- Of the ex-players, Jones is best, followed by Ike then Hugh. Trotter is getting better but has a long way to go.— occasionalpost
- Please get rid of Steve Trevelise on the weekend late shift and replace him with Brian Mitchell. All Steve talks about is rock concerts and comedy clubs. Sent him over to WMMR. Anyone is better than Steve Trevelise who knows nothing about sports.— Drew777
- riles, you're right on the mark. It's been obvious for years that the morning show has been trying to suck up some of the Stern demographics (which is also why their sponsors are strip clubs, adult video shops and male enhancement products). It's a myth that Al Morganti doesn't know about sports other than hockey -- he doesn't know much about hockey, either. He's an average guy who has a knack for sounding smart. Can't stand Eskin, but Missanelli's snide, smirking attitude is no better.— 1980
- The writer and columnist Robert Lipsyte coined a term in the 1970's which describes WIP to a tea:"Jockocracy" It describes the folly of hiring ex-athletes and sticking them behind the mike. With 950 I can get sports talk without the insults, and from people whose sports knowledge is second to none. If I want to listen about bubble baths and wing eating and movies, I'll listen to Preston and Steve. Sports Radio 610? More like Schtick Radio 610!— Lou Anthony
- 950ESPN is much more interesting and entertaining than the goons on 610. 950 should seriously consider getting a local morning show before the Eagles season starts (maybe Jody Mac in the morning?). Hey, even Michael Bradley and Glenn Foley were starting to get pretty good before the station pulled the plug and started with Mike & Mike.— J H
- It would be nice if 950 had a local morning show that could put the 610 morning trash show out of its misery. Sports columnists from the Daily News would make good hosts.....except for Rich Hoffman. He used to be a great columnist, but now he sickens me with the way he eats out of the hands of Lurie, Banner, and Reid. I mean, come on, the Eagles release results from a sham of a survey that say everyone loves them and Hoffman's response is "Wow, those results are astonishing!" Almost lost my lunch when I read that article.— riles1875
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- agree with prior posts...morning show is anything but sports...show SUCKS! actually listen to the WFAN in the morning, mikey miss on the rise home.— extremebrian
- i dont listen to 610 anymore. and out of all the x jocks they have, g cobb is awful to try and listen to. 950 is so much better. i wish 950 would get rid of cowherd. i cant stand him.— green faerie
- I am starting to think Eagles Network took over WIP. How many former Eagles are they going to have there. And they have the head ring leader Eskin. No wonder 950 is making in roads to their sucess. Eskin is done and the others will soon follow.— Pat c
- Hugh Douglas, Jeremiah Trotter, Ike Reece... plus Ray Didinger... it's becoming all Eagles all the time...— frankatlasalle
- 950 is the way to go. douglas is a joke, ike @ anytime is brutal, cuz is a too south phila, macnow is ok, angelo is the worst, al is good, eskin is the worst. make the switch...missinelli is the man, sorry eskin your time is ticking...........— humpty19
- I had to choke for a minute before I could start listening to a NY station, but i really got hooked on the fan 660 - they actually talk sports and are realists - they've praised the phils and ripped the mutts when deserved. WIP is a joke and is unlistenable - and probably causes most instances of road rage.
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I feel the Cuz, MacNow, Brian Startare, Rob Ellis, Jolly, Dindiger, and , Joe Altomonte are solid to very good. WIP has some up-and coming, young talent. They need to place the right peeps together in the right time slots. Maybe they need to shake the line-up a little. Some of the shows are stale, and overbearing. More SPORTS, less junk!!— cange30- I agree with most of the posters about the morning show with Angie the Pansie. Way too many voices to begin with. And when they all start yapping at once they make those gals on The View sound civilized. If they're gonna have that ex-jock every morning, make it somebody who can talk about a sport other than the one they played. As it is now I think Keith Jones is the most knowledgeable in his "other" sports.— Whiz of Was
That goofball Cataldi has the chicken wings and bubble baths covered,Macnow has the Cheesesteaks,movies, and every other giimmick show known to man covered, so lets hope Mitchell can actually talk about actual Philadelphia sports. The regulars at WIP have become a circus act, the only that talk hard core sports are Rob Ellis, Rube andPaul Jolovitz. WIP program director you have a 3.5 share WEEI in Boston has a 5.7 share Why? Because they talk about actual sports not tv sitcoms and buffalo sauce, follow their lead and watch your ratings improve.— argonne- 950 is way better. WIP talks nonsense about non sports issues half the time.— JonKap
I'm a lifelong Philadlephia fan finding myself listening to WFAN in NY for the quality. A couple weeks ago the Phils were playing the Red Sox, WFAN NY broke down this series like it was the Mets/Yanks, incredible job. Meanwhile Macnow spent the majority of his show taking movie impressions.Unbelievable. Argonne pretty much nailed it, its the part time guys on WIP that have been stepping up and talking sports, they get it.The regs just got lazy, they'll do an opening 10 minutes, dont get any calls and on to tv shows, or movies or hoagies etc etc. Rob Ellis tonight managed to have the boards lit up all night talking Chris Pronger good work by him.- I like Ike. I like Hugh but he comes off much better on TV than the radio. I think Missanelli is an insecure petulant fraud, anyone who needs to personally attack a competitor like he does has serious issues, anyone who has to tell his audience that he is the ratings leader 10 x a day is a child, talk sports cease with the insults chump.Jody mac is the best in Philly. 2 national nhl experts that do nothing but ridicule the nhl,doesnt make sense to me,Talk more Flyers guys dont fall for cataldis nonsense. Iggy cant play Beau even cuzzin joey says so. Philly is not a big enough to have 2 sports stations, its like the same 20 callers that flip flop phone calls making the same exact point. Larry wants to know when Jefferey Lurie is going to open up his wallet and sign Anquan Boldin.
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- he's boring and sounds like a preacher. nobody wants to hear him. he was fired because nobody likes him.— Huge
- HOw long would it take the FCC to fine WIP if Dysktra was put on the air? The most dedicated intern couldnt' keep up with the 7 second delay necessary to conteract Dykstra's foul mouth.— Scorekeeper
- Mitchell may have played three years with the Eagles but he played nine (1990-1999) with the hated Redskins. He's a Redskin through and through. He bleeds crimson and gold (or whatever the heck that color is). He didn't criticize the Redskins (team ) as much as he criticized the Redskins owner. Whenever he flunks out of one area (Eagles, Giants) he always gravitates back to his home base, which is, Redskin territory, Washington, DC.— essell
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- Missanelli's producer is hilarious...Marksy. I agree with everyone 610 is garbage. 950 is the way to go. Id like to hear more of Burn/McManus on the weekend— cmp4668
- Eskin has really gone downhill. Talk sports, not salivating over young girls, asking what girls are wearing, etc. No wonder sports fans are switching to Missinelli.— mas215
- LOL...Dan Snyder even controls what you can and can't say on his radio station. What a complete pud.— terry_l
- WIP is trying to figure out how to beat ESPN950. Mike Missanelli is much better to listen to than Howard at 3:00. Eskin does not know how to treat listeners, and he really seems to be in the Eagles' back pocket. I switched off WIP (except for the morning show, which still is funny).— JoefromPhilly
- As Joe said "Eskin does not know how to treat listeners, and he really seems to be in the Eagles' back pocket. I switched off WIP (except for the morning show, which still is funny)," yeah, there are times Eskin apparently thinks it's fun to poke at people who are doing nothing other than for sharing their views and he's just downright brutal. I guess the shock value is a rating booster in some people's mind, but I get tired of listening to it as well.— terry_l
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- I agree with those who say the Morning Show doesn't talk about sports enough...my top 3 are usually 1)Cuz and Macnow, 2)Macnow and Didinger on the weekends, and 3) Rob Ellis...but it has really bothered me these last few weeks when the Midday show has been nothing but movie impressions....— joshuaj16
- I've been living in Virginia (ie Redskins radio territory) for years, and given the horrible quality of local sports radio in the Norfolk area, I've been exposed to a lot of ESPN 980. Mitchell was a great part of that show and would be a great addition to WIP. IMHO, insightful, engaging, and easy on the ears.— eaglehoo
- Angelo and the morning show is unlistenable. Eskin.....yuck.....best of philly is jody mac, then, Mike Miss, barely more tolerable than eskin, but would still rather listen to him, regardless of who is on with eskin. Bring back brookie.— trainrdt
- Have not listened to 610 in over a year and i don't see that changing anytime soon. The morning crew is a JOKE! Eskin makes me want to run razors across my wrist and the slew of former Eagles that they have are just awful! Dump all of these guys and just go with ESPN's morning show or Sporting News radio, At least you would get some REAL sports talk and not Wing Contests and Cheese Steak hunts!— bkg126
- I know B Mitch and have listened to him on the radio as well as at a table over food amd he is fun to listen to and very entertaining with a lot of smarts. We could use him in Philly. I live in the Balt/DC area and they love him down here. Too bad for DC if they lose him.— athomejamn
- This sounds much more like a refferendum on WIP, then weather or not B-Mitch would be a good addition. That being said....WIP hasn't been relevent since 950 affiliated with ESPN. AND if Fox Sports with Steve Czbaen and Myers ever gets on the dial here, you can bet they will beat 610 and 950.— tjpup
- WIP is going down the drain. They only have one or two shows I can listen to. If you haven't tried ESPN 950 you're missing real sports talk radio!— TEEBEES
- For actual knowledge of the game, there is only one, Ray Didinger. For pure entertainment, Angelo and the crew. They know nothing about sports but they are funny. Bring in Nails and Dalton. It won't last long, but it will be entertaining as h#@!. At least once a week, one of 'em would show up on the police blotter.— Fritz and Alice
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Sheil Kapadia is in his fifth season writing about the Eagles and the NFL for philly.com. His earliest
memories as a sports fan include several trips to Veterans Stadium with
his Dad. He's not a beat writer or an Insider, but is here to
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