Earl Mitchell DT Arizona - 3rd round choice

[ArlingtonTexan]

still

[New_Texans]

now...this pick is perplexing...hes a tiny DT. 6'3 213 pounds...on the bright side it fills a need

[ArlingtonTexan]

Originally Posted by New_Texans

now...this pick is perplexing...hes a tiny DT. 6'3 213 pounds...

sure that's a miss type

[stingray]

Originally Posted by new_texans

now...this pick is perplexing...hes a tiny dt. 6'3 213 pounds...

wtf?

[pbat488]

Originally Posted by New_Texans

now...this pick is perplexing...hes a tiny DT. 6'3 213 pounds...

Haha, you got wrong info from somewhere... he's listed as 6' 1 1/4 and 294 on nfldraftscout..

[pbat488]

From http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/p...;pageContainer
Quick hit: 02/19/2010 - PRO POTENTIAL: DT Earl Mitchell - Spent his first two seasons as an underused H-back/fullback before switching to defense. His relative inexperience at the position is a plus because scouts can project a bigger upside. He's strong and chiseled but doesn't have the raw size to necessarily be an NFL run-plugger. His speed and mobility helped him to 6.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss as a senior. Mitchell, who performed well at the East-West Shrine Game, projects to be a mid-round pick. He'll be at the NFL scouting combine.

From http://www.nfl.com/draft/2010/profil...hell?id=496822
Mitchell was a productive two-year starter for the Wildcats. He is a short, athletic interior defender who is best when in a stunting mode. His best asset is his initial quickness, which enables him to gain leverage on larger blockers to penetrate the line of scrimmage. He lacks great power to anchor versus double teams but understands angles and plays with good pad level to be effective in most one-on-one situations. He flashes good initial punch, but needs to become more active with his hands to disengage to the ball. Mitchell flashes as a pass rusher but needs to expand his initial moves and counters to be a consistent contributor at the next level. Mitchell is a bit of a project with only two years' experience as a defensive tackle after converting from tight end. He could be a versatile player as an interior lineman in an even front while having added value as a possible lead blocker in short-yardage and goal-line situations.

[GP]

Originally Posted by ArlingtonTexan

sure that's a miss type

Has to be.

If it isn't, I need a baseball bat and a few stray cats.

[stingray]

He's 296 LBS

[Texan4Ever]

NFL.com has him listed as 6'3" 215-lbs, he is actually 315-lbs. Great pick IMO, had a solid season last year and can be that BIG DT we've been looking for. Excellent choice, a bit of a reach but a solid football player here.

[New_Texans]

Phew! I was a bit worried, now i feel a lot better.

[LikeMike]

Pass rush: At least moderate initial quickness and can get skinny to slide through the gap and disrupt the play immediately. Quick, active hands to battle inside. Flashes a good swim and rip move, but needs to use each more often. Relies too much on a marginally effective bull rush. Has a second burst to close when he has a lane, but tires quickly. Struggles to change direction and too often can be eluded for a defensive tackle with his size and relative athleticism.

Run defense: Flashes a quick burst laterally to penetrate. Good balance in tight quarters and feel to handle the trap block. Plays stouter than his frame would indicate due to good use of leverage and leg drive, but is never going to be a true run-stuffer. Hustles laterally in pursuit.

Explosion: Can surprise the guard with his initial burst to slip through the gap. Quick, active hands and good upper body strength to knock the offensive lineman back off the snap.

Strength: Good leg drive to lock out and anchor, though he lacks the bulk to hold up to double-teams. Can push offensive guards into the pocket to create a disruption in the running game. Good strength for the drag-down tackle while still engaged with the blocker.

Tackling: Classic catch and drag-down tackler. Has a burst to close and flashes some pop when given space to gain momentum. Provides good effort laterally, but isn’t able to stalk the ball-carrier, showing only marginal body control.

Intangibles: Caught 13 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns in 2006-07 as a part-time starting H-back. Missed the 2009 game against Washington due to a freak injury to his eye after it was hit by the corner of a door. Highly respected by fans, teammates and the coaching staff. Voted a 2009 team captain. Struggled with academics early in his career, but was named a winner of the National Academic Momentum Award which is presented by the Scholar-Baller Program in conjunction with the National Consortium for Academics and Sports. High-effort player with some legitimate upside as a relative neophyte at the position.

[stingray]

Here's his resume..

Overview
Mitchell signed with Arizona as a 250-pound fullback and tight end. Facing the option of not seeing the field much with the Wildcats' switch to a spread offense in 2008, Mitchell trusted the coaching staff that asked him to make the move to defensive tackle. It proved to be a wise career move.

Mitchell impressed in his first season at defensive tackle, leading the Wildcats' defensive line with 40 tackles, as well as posting 5.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Despite extra focus from opponents as a senior, Mitchell improved his totals, racking up 48 stops, 12.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks despite missing a start against Washington due to an eye injury.

A strong performance during the week of practice at the East-West Shrine Game helped Mitchell develop some momentum heading into the final months before the draft. NFL scouts love Mitchell's athleticism and work ethic, but may struggle to find a spot for him at his size. Some even feel his future position in the NFL might lie back on the offensive side of the ball as a fullback.

Analysis
Pass rush: At least moderate initial quickness and can get skinny to slide through the gap and disrupt the play immediately. Quick, active hands to battle inside. Flashes a good swim and rip move, but needs to use each more often. Relies too much on a marginally effective bull rush. Has a second burst to close when he has a lane, but tires quickly. Struggles to change direction and too often can be eluded for a defensive tackle with his size and relative athleticism.

Run defense: Flashes a quick burst laterally to penetrate. Good balance in tight quarters and feel to handle the trap block. Plays stouter than his frame would indicate due to good use of leverage and leg drive, but is never going to be a true run-stuffer. Hustles laterally in pursuit.

Explosion: Can surprise the guard with his initial burst to slip through the gap. Quick, active hands and good upper body strength to knock the offensive lineman back off the snap.

Strength: Good leg drive to lock out and anchor, though he lacks the bulk to hold up to double-teams. Can push offensive guards into the pocket to create a disruption in the running game. Good strength for the drag-down tackle while still engaged with the blocker.

Tackling: Classic catch and drag-down tackler. Has a burst to close and flashes some pop when given space to gain momentum. Provides good effort laterally, but isn't able to stalk the ball-carrier, showing only marginal body control.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1113447

[TexCanada]

I'm surprised that they passed over the other available DTs. Then again, I'm not surprised because Smithiak always does the unexpected. Welcome to the team Earl!

[Jackie Chiles]

Wow, 4.73 forty.

[maddogmrb]

Perhaps we drafted him as a short-yardage back!

I would've rather drafted Colt McCoy to groom than another under-sized DL.

[stingray]

Apparently, he is a very fast undersized DT. Came to Arizona as fullback.

[Texan4Ever]

Not much here but: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kV9GETdslAw&feature=fvw


During a scrimmiage, Houston guy who can control opposing linemen. Might be a bit better then what you see, you never know.

[Austrian]

At least they showed some highlights of him on ESPN.

[JB]

I think Smithiak may see him as another Antonio Smith

[nero THE zero]

Amobi Okoye, you are officially on the hot seat.