Though it sounds like a daunting task — Sports Radio was at the bottom of the ratings in the last period — Nahigian is optimistic.

“This is the most excited I've ever been in my career in radio,” said Nahigan, who worked at Sporting News Radio. “I've talked to around 25-30 people in the last month.”

His game plan includes increasing local programming in the evening. Currently, “The 700 Level Sports Fanatics” ends at 10 p.m., so Phillies fans can't discuss the games when they conclude.

Nahigian said he also wants to air more Eagles shows this season. Last year during the NFL season one problem was a brokered program, “Real Estate with Jay Lamont,” ran until noon on Sunday, which gave the station only one hour for a pre-game show for 1 p.m. Eagles games.

The new program director would not give a direct answer about what he is going to do about the deadly six-hour block of programming from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. when nationally syndicated shows “The Tony Bruno Show” and “The Jim Rome Show” run.

“We are looking for quality people,” he said. “It doesn't matter whether they are local or national.”

Not that anybody is asking, but if I were program director, here's what I would do:

* Change the morning show hours to 6-10 a.m.

* Move Jody McDonald to mid-days from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

* Bring Mike Missanelli back to town for afternoon drive from 3-7 p.m.

* Air local programming throughout the evening and overnight. There is no excuse not to have programming for people when games end.

* More local programming on the weekends. Get rid of the brokered and syndicated shows.

Advice for Vick

Temple graduate John Kincade, who hosts a sports radio talk show on 680-AM “The Fan” in Atlanta, wrote of the Michael Vick controversy:

“It tears me up personally because over the years I have seen many different sides of Mike Vick. I know him to be a very charitable and kind person whenever he has been asked to help with any fund-raising event I have assembled. That said, his personal life choices and inability to conduct his life appropriately makes him a poor choice to lead this football team [Atlanta Falcons]. I am asking Mike on the air to take a leave of absence so that he can finally get his personal life in order, and the Falcons can begin the healing process.”

Channel flipping

“Eagles Camp: Live from Lehigh” will air at 11 p.m. on Fox29 the week of July 30. Fox29 sports director Don Tollefson, Eagles offensive lineman Jon Runyan, Eagles insider Dave Spadaro and others will participate in the half hour show. ... David Beckham makes his Los Angeles Galaxy debut at 9 p.m. Saturday on ESPN. The special, “David Beckham: New Beginnings,” airs at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.

E-MAIL: lauranachman@verizon.net