One night last year after the Redskins beat the Vikings in a key Sunday night game, my buddy Ben and I celebrated the win by drinking Patron and watching the local Comcast postgame show that featured Brian Mitchell. Mitchell was a versatile punt and kick returner for the Redskins for over a decade -- the only constant from the first Gibbs years to those lean campaigns with Norv Turner at the helm. For a time, Mitchell held the NFL record for most total yards gained, until Jerry Rice passed him. After brief stays with the Giants and Eagles (I could be wrong about the Giants), Mitchell retired. He is now employed by Comcast Sports Net. We all loved B. Mitch back in the day, so it stood to reason that our feelings for him wouldn't change as he made the transition into television. We were wrong. B. Mitch is a hater; a huge, I-want-what-you-got hater.
Back to that night after the Vikings games, it was a great win that just about wrapped up a playoff berth. But all Bitchell could do was complain about Clinton Portis and bad defense and poor safety play (this was three weeks after Sean Taylor's murder, so criticizing safety play at that point was absurd). It was impossible to watch.
All Mitchell does it hate. My mom thinks he has a chip on his shoulder. Another friends thinks he's probably just a dick. Whatever it is, Brian Mitchell has turned into one of the more hated ex-Redskins in the area. That perception will grow after a on-air verbal spat between Bitchell and Clinton Portis, in which Portis called out Bitchell for talking smack on the air.
(The conversation stems from an article last week in The Washington Post in which Portis talked about his career and pondered what it would be like to be on other teams. It's important to note that, while Portis was taking some shots at play-calling, he never expressed a desire to be anywhere but in Washington.)
I'd recap it for you, but with so many interesting parts, I'd probably leave off something you'd enjoy. So, even though it's 12 minutes, I recommend listening to the whole thing. (And if you don't want to do that, the first 6 minutes features the best part of the spat.)
http://nick8.surfernetwork.com/Media/Pod/wwxx/podcasting/09-16-08-Portis-JT-Show.mp3
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
The Clinton Portis/Brian Mitchell Battle
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7 comments:
Down with Mitch - VIVA 26!
Brian Mitchell turned his back on the Skins a number of times and I could certainly tell he had something to prove when he played the Skins while employed by the Eagles. As far as I'm concerned the Skins Nation doesn't need him. Are you telling me that he and Comcast Net feel that he is loyal enough to be a Redskin critic? His mouth and actions have erased anything good he might have done for Washington. Portis has payed his dues and if Portis wants to talk about the color of his terds- I'm all ears!!! He is the hardest working man in the NFL! Brian Mitchell was good but he was no Clinton Portis.
I have been a Skins fan since 1981. I have witnessed a transition of the "type" of players in the NFL over the last 27 years. What has been overlooked in this spat is that you have two good players (not great) from different era's. One is from a time of loyal, hard working, humble individuals and the other is flash, pay me, over glorified time. Now keep in mind I am not of a fan of either player. BUT I do know one thing. The Redskins gave up to much for CP. Champ was a shut down corner. In this league there are maybe 4 corners that can do that. Giving Champ and a 2nd rounder away for CP was a HUGE blunder. CP is what you call an over glorified "ME" player. He doesn't know how to spell the word "TEAM". A team player gets people around him to believe in him and produce as a unit- they have charismatic quality that is hard to find- they lead by example and they produce- PERIOD. No one blocks for him (CP). He (CP) is not a leader. Just like Randy Moss- a talented player- but could or can never LEAD a team. In NE you have Brady. In DC you no one. It is only a matter of time before Moss gets in Cassell's ear- and the NE's year will sputter. NOW B. Mitch was more a role player. He had the ability to get people around him to improve there level of play. I wouldn't call him a leader but a team/role player - YES I can give him that. For a bickering session to exist between these two guys - it could go on for hours and days. Oil and water- two different types. I am more along the mentality of B. Mitch....a mold like D. Green, Monk, Mann, Riggo and all the 80's players......no one says "ME"-- they say "US". Free agency truly defines the character a team and the type of player they have invested in. What have the Redskins invested in for the last 20 years.....nothing really. Go Danny and Vinny. My two cents.
mitchell was a smart and hard player, but comparing him with monk and green is egregious. mitchell used to talk SO much smack after every single kick-off return. portis, meanwhile, risks injury to save his quarterback from rushing linemen. which really says more "me"?
Brian Mitchell was a great player, he never backed down and played hard all the time. Clinton is a joke he thinks the world revolves around here. Brian Mitchell is the next hall of fame player coming that the redskins have.
Everybody needs to STOP HATIN! CP is cool...if you all dont know him personally stop talkin sh*t! Brian Mitchell is the punk as* who doesnt know how to do the job he has now without putting his personal insecurities aside!!! CP is a good team player..how dare you say other! He is doin what he is supposed to and what the coach tells him to do...duh! What, do you want him to TRY to injure himself? Anyways....Brian Mitchell sucks and shouldnt be on redskins talk...comcast should fire his dumb self...CP...GET EM'!! :)
-Melanie
Everyone needs to chill out. Portis is a good player, not hall of fame, not a bum. Mitchell was a good player, didn't do much but special teams, but he still holds the record for most career touchdowns off of punts and kicks but will probably be broken soon by Hester or Bush. He also is second on the All time list for total yards, only a few behind Jerry Rice. Mitchell is not jealous of who Clinton is, he is doing his job. I sould mention that I went to school with B Mitch, so I am bias towards him, but as long as his critisism is only about football, he is doing his job. Mitchell does many charity things back n Louisiana and is well liked, so he is not the dick that some ppl think he is. And for the people who think Mitchell is mad b/c Clinton is a better RB or something, remember this, Mitchell was a QB in high school and college. He was small, so they used his athletisism in other places. Portis is a good back, but he is, like all miami players, in love with himself. If he can't take critisism, get a life. You make money, too much money, to play a game. Who cares what people say. Thanks for everything you have done Brian... Geaux Cajuns!!!!!!
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