Brian Mitchell: Tell the Commanders the truth

Brian Mitchell believes everyone from fans and the media need to hold the Commanders accountable.

Former Redskins’ running back/returner Brian Mitchell spoke from the heart immediately following Washington’s frustrating 14-7 loss to the NY Giants.

Mitchell, who played for Washington from 1990-1999, is part of the Commanders postgame staff and had plenty to say Sunday. Here is Mitchell the first time he spoke opening the postgame show.

Here is the link if you would like to see more of the post game show.

“You can’t help a team beat you; today I would say Washington beat Washington. The Giants didn’t beat Washington; Washington beat Washington.”

“Coach Gibbs used to say we are all in this together. People used to laugh at that. But sometimes, coaches don’t think that they deserve any blame. Players don’t think they deserve all of the blame. Everybody that was involved today with football deserves the blame.”

“The guys didn’t look prepared. Offensive players in the first half, you had less than 60 yards. They (Giants) had guys basically brought in off of their couch to play, and you (defense) can’t dominate them?”

“Ultimately, for me, we all failed ourselves today. Everybody was involved and everybody is at fault in this football game.”

“We are a crew here who works for the team, and we want to say everything positive for the team. But you know what I’ve learned in life? When you sit up here and everything has to be positive, you’re not telling the truth.”

“This team is not winning because we don’t hold them accountable. This team is not winning because we in the media, we as fans, we find reasons to give them excuses as to why they can’t get better.”

“Tell them the truth. Right now, you’re not good. Offensively, defensively, special teams.”

“I love this franchise, but I will not lie to them. Everybody from top to bottom has to get better, or this thing is not going to change up.”

Commanders season opener in 30 days: Washington’s best No. 30

30 Brian Mitchell days until the Commanders open the 2023 NFL season.

Commanders Wire continues a countdown to Washington’s season opener for 2023 in 30 days. Who was the team’s best player wearing No. 30?

Two players deserve mention of those in Washington history wearing No. 30.

LaRon Landry (2007-2011) was the 6th overall selection by Washington in the 2007 draft. The former LSU Tiger started all 64 games at safety of those he played with Washington in his five seasons. Landry intercepted four passes, defended 33 passes, forced six fumbles, recovering five. Credited with 383 tackles, Landry collected 291 solo tackles and 92 assisted, including 16 tackles for a loss. He also registered 20 quarterback hits as well as 5.5 quarterback sacks. After Washington, Landry had one season with the Jets, in which he made the Pro Bowl, and two with the Colts.

Brian Mitchell (1990-99) was the greatest player in Washington history to wear No. 30. Mitchell, a college quarterback at Southwestern Louisiana, was drafted 130th overall by Washington in the 1990 draft. Mitchell made an immediate impact when in the first preseason game, Mitchell returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. In the 1991 Super Bowl championship season, Mitchell led the NFL in punt return yardage (600 yards) and touchdown returns (2).

In the 1992 season, Mitchell had a huge playoff game at Minnesota when he rushed 16 times for 109 yards (6.81 ypc), one rushing touchdown and returned three punts for 70 yards averaging 23.3 yards a return. In the 1999 playoffs, Mitchell returned the opening kickoff for the second half 100 yards for a touchdown.

In his ten Washington seasons, Mitchell returned seven punts and two kickoffs for regular season touchdowns, averaging 11.0 yards on punt returns and 22.8 on kickoff returns. Mitchell was the NFL leader in All-Purpose yards four seasons (1994, 1995, 1996, 1998). He was All-Pro 1st team in 1995 and 2nd team in 1991 and 1994.  He led the NFL in punt return average in 1994 with 14.1 yards per return.

For Washington, Mitchell rushed for 1,751 yards averaging 5.0 a carry, scoring 9 touchdowns. He also caught 232 passes for 2,087 yards, three touchdowns and 81 first downs. Mitchell was voted one of the 70 Greatest Washington Redskins in 2002 and into Washington’s Ring of Fame.