DT Earl Mitchell thread

maybe he can pick up AA's slack. maybe not.

The only takeaway from this signing is that it's nice to be desired again -- even if it's just for the money.

That said, this is a "meh" signing. And that's okey. You need those to build a roster. But don't build this guy up to be something he's not. We absolutely need another starting caliber NT/DT on this team. Mitchell ain't that dude.

Originally posted by Joecool:
Could be another Jonas Jennings. We were dismal and he was brought in primarily for his leadership. Couldn't stay healthy and wasn't a top player but his leadership was solid...until Nolan called him out on his toughness.

If I remember correctly, Jennings was overpaid substantially. Mitchell is not overpaid, even for a backup. With all the salaries due to go up this year he may turn out to be very reasonable. That often happens with early signings.

Originally posted by okdkid:
The only takeaway from this signing is that it's nice to be desired again -- even if it's just for the money.

That said, this is a "meh" signing. And that's okey. You need those to build a roster. But don't build this guy up to be something he's not. We absolutely need another starting caliber NT/DT on this team. Mitchell ain't that dude.

if they are trash players who cares if we are desired again, the first three people we have signed are meh times infinity and now so many people are building these guys up to be something they never have been in the past and unsure why so many thing this guy and the other two scrubs will somehow turn it on. for every carlos rogers there are mutliple marlon moores

Originally posted by cciowa:

Originally posted by okdkid:
The only takeaway from this signing is that it's nice to be desired again -- even if it's just for the money.

That said, this is a "meh" signing. And that's okey. You need those to build a roster. But don't build this guy up to be something he's not. We absolutely need another starting caliber NT/DT on this team. Mitchell ain't that dude.

if they are trash players who cares if we are desired again, the first three people we have signed are meh times infinity and now so many people are building these guys up to be something they never have been in the past and unsure why so many thing this guy and the other two scrubs will somehow turn it on. for every carlos rogers there are mutliple marlon moores

I don't see people doing that. At best people are saying they could possibly start if the team doesn't bring in better starters. The worst is they are decent backups and will raise the overall level of competition in TC.

Originally posted by dtg_9er:
I don't see people doing that. At best people are saying they could possibly start if the team doesn't bring in better starters. The worst is they are decent backups and will raise the overall level of competition in TC.

they are backups to the trash we have starting in many areas on our team. trash backing up trash. i am sorry. how does that make us a good football team again?

Originally posted by ChazBoner:
maybe he can pick up AA's slack. maybe not.

AA will be on the bench when all is said and done anyways.

Originally posted by cciowa:
if they are trash players who cares if we are desired again, the first three people we have signed are meh times infinity and now so many people are building these guys up to be something they never have been in the past and unsure why so many thing this guy and the other two scrubs will somehow turn it on. for every carlos rogers there are mutliple marlon moores

My man, our money-ball team of analysts are just working with the coaching staff to add depth and competition while also finding specialty players who could push for true roles.

OL Norman Price - Signed to a future contract (added to push for a backup T role)
P Brock Miller - Signed to a future contract (added to push Brad Pinion)
PK Nick Rose - Signed to a future contract (from Atlanta - obviously, added to push Phil Dawson and add insurance in case he retires)
WR Rashad Ross - Signed to a future contract (ShanaLynch love speed. This dude runs a 4.36 from the slot WR position and can be a returner. We see how Kyle uses Tayor Gabriel's speed --- moves him all over the place to create mismatches)
WR DeAndre Carter - Signed to a two-year deal (Same exact concept as Rashad; insurance in case we can't sign Kerley)
SCB K'Waun Williams - Signed to a 1 year dealat $615k base, $75k signing bonus $75k week 1 roster bonus & $250k NLTBEs play time; per AB may be a RFA in year 2 (Could carve out a starting role for the slot CB job; has NFL experience)
DT Earl Mitchell - Signed to a four-year $16M deal with $5.5m in year one (base down starter who can rotate at multiple positions; has NFL experience)

Time to go after Poe/Williams/Hankins!

Kevin Nogle, who writes about the Dolphins for a website in Miami, told David Fucillo of SB Nation that Mitchell was expected to be a strong, run-stuffing inside presence in Miami, "but never really developed into that player for the Dolphins."

Added Nogle: "Mitchell is a solid player who will be able to fill a role on a defense still looking to find itself and he will provide veteran leadership, but do not expect to be getting a dominating defensive tackle who will take control of the line of scrimmage. That's just not Mitchell's game."

In fact, Eric Eager of the analytic website Pro Football Focus wrote this past year that the Dolphins' contract with Mitchell ranked among the NFL's five worst for interior defensive linemen, pointing to 2015 numbers in which Mitchell ranked 97th among interior linemen.

Wrote Eager: "Mitchell has never finished higher than 30th in overall grading among defensive tackles during any point in his career."

Source: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Can-49ers-New-Defensive-Tackle-Live-up-to-Big-Contract-414880843.html#ixzz4ZulEUFfc 

Originally posted by Ensatsu:

Originally posted by ChazBoner:

maybe he can pick up AA's slack. maybe not.

AA will be on the bench when all is said and done anyways.

AA practically has as many sacks in a season and a half then this guy has racked up in 7 seasons. Let's not get too carried away about this guy.

Originally posted by dtg_9er:
I don't see people doing that. At best people are saying they could possibly start if the team doesn't bring in better starters. The worst is they are decent backups and will raise the overall level of competition in TC.

Agree with you dtg....unfortunately some other people on this board just seem totally incapable of writing anything positive.....like EVER!!
You're right though....this is a good signing, not a blockbuster signing, but a solid player....I'm happy with the signing.

Originally posted by Dsoto87:
AA practically has as many sacks in a season and a half then this guy has racked up in 7 seasons. Let's not get too carried away about this guy.

Could easily turn this around and compare their play against the run. AA is literally the worst run stopping Dlineman on this team and in the bottom 5 of the NFL.

Originally posted by jcs:

Originally posted by Dsoto87:

AA practically has as many sacks in a season and a half then this guy has racked up in 7 seasons. Let's not get too carried away about this guy.

Could easily turn this around and compare their play against the run. AA is literally the worst run stopping Dlineman on this team and in the bottom 5 of the NFL.

Anthony Adams?

Originally posted by jcs:

Originally posted by Dsoto87:

AA practically has as many sacks in a season and a half then this guy has racked up in 7 seasons. Let's not get too carried away about this guy.

Could easily turn this around and compare their play against the run. AA is literally the worst run stopping Dlineman on this team and in the bottom 5 of the NFL.

Well hold on. You're arguing with the wrong person. You seem to think Im trying to prop up Armstead when I'm not. I'm neither for or against either of these guys. My post was in response to someone saying Mitchell will have Armsteads ass riding the bench, when it's not like Mitchell is some slam dunk type signing. All I was trying to say was that Armstead has produced nearly the same amount of sacks in a small amount of time compared to Mitchell's 7 seasons.

And again, let's not try to act like Mitchell is some run stopping monster. Did you not read NCommands article?

Here I'll spell it out for you if you don't have the time.

Mitchell was expected to be a strong, run-stuffing inside presence in Miami, "but never really developed into that player for the Dolphins."

Mitchell ranked among the NFL's five worst for interior defensive linemen, pointing to 2015 numbers in which Mitchell ranked 97th among interior linemen.

I get why we signed him. He's a veteran presence along the line. I just don't see any reason at all to get excited.

Originally posted by NCommand:
Time to go after Poe/Williams/Hankins!

Kevin Nogle, who writes about the Dolphins for a website in Miami, told David Fucillo of SB Nation that Mitchell was expected to be a strong, run-stuffing inside presence in Miami, "but never really developed into that player for the Dolphins."

Added Nogle: "Mitchell is a solid player who will be able to fill a role on a defense still looking to find itself and he will provide veteran leadership, but do not expect to be getting a dominating defensive tackle who will take control of the line of scrimmage. That's just not Mitchell's game."

In fact, Eric Eager of the analytic website Pro Football Focus wrote this past year that the Dolphins' contract with Mitchell ranked among the NFL's five worst for interior defensive linemen, pointing to 2015 numbers in which Mitchell ranked 97th among interior linemen.

Wrote Eager: "Mitchell has never finished higher than 30th in overall grading among defensive tackles during any point in his career."

Source: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Can-49ers-New-Defensive-Tackle-Live-up-to-Big-Contract-414880843.html#ixzz4ZulEUFfc 

I've been wanting to hear an analysis from a Dolphin fan/site so thanks for posting. This is a little disheartening being that it's a recent assessment although I don't think many are expecting a dominant run stopping force. If he was all that he wouldn't have been let go by MIA. Seems like his play has regressed a bit from the time he left HOU and signed with MIA till now. He appears to be a high character vet so perhaps his intangibles give him added value for this young roster.