Former Redskins and Eagles star Brian Mitchell was never shy about speaking his mind. Now that he talks sports for CSN Washington, Mitchell is as opinionated as ever.
With the DeSean Jackson joining the Redskins (see story), Mitchell theorized on why some ex-teammates of the wide receiver were quick to speak out on his departure.
The players are trying to score points with coach Chip Kelly, Mitchell said.
“Before DeSean Jackson left they didn’t say one word,” Mitchell said on Tuesday’s edition of Philly Sports Talk. “Now that he’s gone they say what they want to impress their coach. Think about this: Chip Kelly comes in and he wants to establish himself that he’s the leader of the team. Maybe not everyone bought into his system. Maybe DeSean Jackson didn’t buy into it. He’s the same type of mindset personality that I am. You can say stuff, but you have to prove to me why you can do it. I’m going to ask questions. I’m going to go against some things in order to figure it out, and a lot of coaches don’t like that.
“But now all these players want to say things because [Jackson] is gone. They want to get on the coach’s good side. It happens all the time.”
Mitchell said the best team he ever played on -- the 1991 Super Bowl champion Redskins -- had some dissent in the locker room. That’s normal, he said.
“The best team I ever played on won the Super Bowl, and we all didn’t get along,” Mitchell said. “Guys have different personalities and mindsets and you deal with it.”