JAKIB Media announced last week a new lineup for its still-relatively-nascent Eagles postgame show. Joining Devan Kaney will be Derrick Gunn, Seth Joyner, and Mike Missanelli. They ran a version of this show last year that included Kaney, Gunner, Marc Farzetta, and then Lane Johnson (briefly) with John McMullen live on scene. 

This is an underrated story to me for three reasons:

  1. It’s a direct challenge to NBC Sports Philadelphia and Eagles Postgame Live, which recently lost Ray Didinger via retirement.
  2. Joyner left NBCSP only to resurface doing the same gig for a different outlet.
  3. Gunner revealed on Twitter that NBC approached him about returning, but he turned them down.

It’s a strong lineup for JAKIB, which includes a respected former player, a respected Eagles beat/reporter, and a popular, veteran former radio host and scribe. Kaney is an up-and-comer in the biz and directs the conversation ala Mike Barkann, so you’ve got a pretty well-rounded group here. JAKIB even went so far as to hold a press conference announcing the show, which was hosted by 6 ABC’s Ducis Rodgers, relevant in that regard because the show will air on 6ABC.com in addition to Youtube. Pulling in Action News in any way, shape, or form, adds legitimacy here.

I have no idea if this show is a threat to NBC Sports Philadelphia, but as it stands, their postgame setup now includes only two people – Barkann and Barrett Brooks. They need to make two hires to replace Joyner and Didinger, and maybe there was a setback in the optics department when Gunn made public the attempted reacquisition, but that’s a rhetorical musing. NBCSP does have a big advantage in the familiarity and accessibility departments, however, and you figure a lot of people just habitually flip over when the Eagles game is over. All you have to do is hit a few buttons or talk into your remote control. If you want the JAKIB show, you’re picking up your phone, going to the Action News website, or Youtube, or casting/streaming from a smart TV. It’s not necessarily complicated to do any of that in 2022, but if you’re a Comcast or FIOS user, flipping the channel takes two seconds.

The other main advantage I think NBC has here is resources. You flip on Eagles Postgame Live and you’ve got the camera in the tunnel, catching the players leaving the field as Barkann speaks over the shot. Gunner used to pull live interviews throughout the show, like just grabbing players as they exited. They’ve got more to work with, a larger staff, and they’re operating from a position of strength since the show has been airing for so long now. It’s the established show that mostly everybody is familiar with.

NBC does have plenty of options here for replacements. You’ve got former players like Jason Avant and Ike Reese active in the Philly media, (though Ike has done the Eagles’ official postgame stream and may still be involved there). Reuben Frank or Ross Tucker would be good, or maybe Ron Jaworski. They could lean on another veteran beat or columnist that doesn’t travel or need to be in the locker room. There’s no shortage of candidates and I think they’ll put together a quality show, even if Didinger’s knowledge is understandably irreplaceable.

It’s fascinating though, you’ve got some legitimately good choices this season:

  • JAKIB: Devan Kaney / Gunner / Mikey Miss / Seth Joyner
  • NBCSP: Michael Barkann / Barrett Brooks / new addition 1 / new addition 2

Which show are you watching?