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Earl Mitchell DT Arizona - 3rd round choice

New_Texans said:
Dude, look...basically imagine this on a 3rd and long. Barwin, Mitchell, Amobi, Williams thats all speed rushing at all 4 DL positions. Then you can pull Barwin, Amobi, and Mitchell out for Smith on 3rd downs (and of course for the other down linemen as well) to have the DLmen constantly fresh and constantly rotating...this is a good thing.
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I see where you're coming from. I just don't see Smith coming off the field. Assuming that's true, you have Mario-Smith-______-Barwin on third downs. Assuming/hoping that missing piece is Mitchell, he's by default pushing Amobi to a two down player, at least. And, if he does that successfully, you'd think he'd be pushing Amobi for his spot on the team, seeing as how pass rush is supposed to be Amobi's game.
 
nero THE zero said:
I see where you're coming from. I just don't see Smith coming off the field. Assuming that's true, you have Mario-Smith-______-Barwin on third downs. Assuming/hoping that missing piece is Mitchell, he's by default pushing Amobi to a two down player, at least. And, if he does that successfully, you'd think he'd be pushing Amobi for his spot on the team, seeing as how pass rush is supposed to be Amobi's game.
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they can rotate all different guys. thats what the best d-lines do. and if amobi doesnt deserve to be on the field then why keep him out there just cos hes a first rounder to the detriment of the team. it forces him to step up or sit down
 
He's a pretty athletic dude because he also used to be a TE in highschool, then Halfback in college and now DT. He may be a Henry Melton kind of guy. I had him as the eight best DT on my draft board as the 51st player on my board. Alot of people projected him in the 3rd or 4th.

I think we are going to learn to like this pick.
 
nero THE zero said:
I see where you're coming from. I just don't see Smith coming off the field. Assuming that's true, you have Mario-Smith-______-Barwin on third downs. Assuming/hoping that missing piece is Mitchell, he's by default pushing Amobi to a two down player, at least. And, if he does that successfully, you'd think he'd be pushing Amobi for his spot on the team, seeing as how pass rush is supposed to be Amobi's game.
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Not to toot my own horn, but:

LZ said:
Earl Mitchell has terrific 3 technique skills motor and quickness. You are on notice okoye
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AJ said:
At 6-2, 296, Mitchell is a smallish defensive tackle and his selection in the third round seems like a message to Amobi Okoye that the Texans are not satisfied with his production at the 3-technique.
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Wasn't Okoye being used more as a big run-stuffing DT last season? I'm not very knowledgeable on DTs, but I thought that even though Okoye was drafted as a penetrator he started to develop more into a guy who can anchor and stop the run. It would make sense if that is the case since they could put Mitchell out beside him as a penetrator. It is also possible that I just completely fabricated that out of nothing.
 
New_Texans said:
now...this pick is perplexing...hes a tiny DT. 6'3 213 pounds...on the bright side it fills a need :fingergun:
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He's a local beast from the east. North Shore HS.

http://www.arizonawildcats.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/mitchell_earl00.html

Arizona: 3L... Team co-captain in 2009... One of Arizona's true freshmen offensive regulars in 2006, Mitchell has progressed to become a key in the defensive front... Big athlete and one of the top 11 players on offense or defense throughout his career... Moved to defensive tackle in spring '08 after two years as a tight end and H-back in the program, and the move was effective... Clearly the consistent factor up front for the No. 24-rated Wildcat total defense, leading all linemen with 40 hits... Career-high eight tackles against Toledo... Strong down the stretch with 16 hits in the final four games... Coaches' citation for defensive player of the week against UCLA and ASU... Had a good two years as a big man in the backfield on offense... Caught five passes for 38 yards, (including the first `spread offense' receiving touchdown at BYU) in 2007... Had a kickoff return for eight yards vs. UCLA from a wing position... Five starts as a tight end or H-back... Caught nine passes for 136 yards in 2006... First touchdown catch was a game-igniting play at Oregon... Career-best two grabs in LSU, Cal and Oregon games... Seven starts as the big back or tight end... Rushed four times for seven yards in short-yardage situations... Had UA's lone blocked kick of the year, a tipped punt at LSU... One of the Cats' early commitments in '06 class... Helped continue the program's recruiting focus in the greater Houston area...

High School: North Shore Senior High School, Galena Park, Texas, 2006... 2005 first-team All-District 23-5A honors for coach David Aymond... 5A All-Region III second-team... No. 9 tight end on Texas HS Football.com top 200 ... Houston Chronicle top 5 area receivers recruit... Dave Campbell's Texas Football Top 10 tight end... Dallas Morning News State 100... Rivals.com postseason Texas 100 honors... SuperPrep All-Midlands... SuperPrep All-Southwest in 2005... Mustangs were 11-1 under coach Dave Aymond in 2005, their lone loss in area playoffs... San Antonio Express Texas 100, No. 82... Port Arthur News area top prospects list as tight end...

Personal: Academic major is interdisciplinary studies... Follows some North Shore products that were UA starters - Sean Jones, Chris Johnson, Michael Jolivette and Reggie Sampay... Date of birth: Sept. 25, 1987.
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Earl Mitchell - Arizona (HT: 6-1¾ - WT: 315 - 40: 4.73)
Projection: 5th Round

This site analyzes all the decent DTs in the draft LINK

They projected him as a 5th Rounder:

Positives: Has a very complete skill set, great speed/quickness (best 40-time among DT at combine) and ball location skills... Very active in the backfield, good instincts, does a nice job anticipating the snap count and gets good initial quickness off the snap... Run-stuffer, does a nice job clogging the middle... Bulked up 30 lbs. prior to this season and did not lose quickness or explosiveness... Humble, will do whatever is needed to help the team win... Versatile, is a converted H-Back, keeps improving and gains confidence each game at DT.

Negatives: Occasionally runs past the play and opens up big holes inside... Inexperienced at DT, came to Arizona as a TE and H-Back and was moved to DT in 2008... Projects only as a 4-3 under tackle... Freak injury forced him to miss a game this season.
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CloakNNNdagger said:
Earl Mitchell - Arizona (HT: 6-1¾ - WT: 315 - 40: 4.73)
Projection: 5th Round

This site analyzes all the decent DTs in the draft LINK

They projected him as a 5th Rounder:
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Someone here posted a scouting report where he was projected 2-3.

It's all in the eyes of the beholder and obviously they thought he was worth it.
 
I think that if you can't get the QB in college , you have no chance in the NFL . Mitchell had more sacks last year than alot of prospects had in their careers .
 
This is a pick that the scouting department put their badge on the table for IMO. Hopefully the player scales. If this is what the FO needed to serve a wake up call to Okoye, I hope it would have been someone that Okoye would have taken notice to.

Smith has been active, I like it, but I do not trust our scouting department, never have.
 
Kaiser Toro said:
This is a pick that the scouting department put their badge on the table for IMO. Hopefully the player scales. If this is what the FO needed to serve a wake up call to Okoye, I hope it would have been someone that Okoye would have taken notice to.

Smith has been active, I like it, bur I do not trust our scouting department, never have.
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Badge on the table , like if he ain't guilty , take my badge .

I think with big guys , the number #1 thing is ... do they have a motor . I think that sacks are like rebounds , you have to hustle . He had 6.5 sacks as a DT his sr. year ... not bad .
 
Honoring Earl 34 said:
I think that if you can't get the QB in college , you have no chance in the NFL . Mitchell had more sacks last year than alot of prospects had in their careers .
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He plays really low and gets under pads, being under 6'2" is almost an advantage for him. I just hope his speed translates.
 
Super Mario said:
Agree 100%. Okoye has officially been put on notice. Lets hope he gets the message.
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PFW's Nolan Nawrocki

17 (81) Houston: DT Earl Mitchell, Arizona

The Texans have not received the consistent production that was expected out of first-round pick Amobi Okoye. Earl Mitchell really opened some eyes at the Combine when he clocked sub-4.9 40-times and has physical talent to be molded. He could provide an immediate return as an inside nickel rusher and develop into an every-down contributor in time.
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http://www.profootballweekly.com/2010/04/22/pick-by-pick-analysis-round-three
 
GP said:
We took a DT. That speaks volumes to me, but I also am angry that I wa sin such huge support of the Okoye pick and it's on the verge of busting. So I have some bad intentions as it relates to my theories about what we might do with the DT position.
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I don't think Amobi is on the verge of busting. I know/remember why so many wanted him on this board... He was projected to be solid, up until now, when he would be dominant. Remember how young he is, and the coaching he's had since he's been here, couldn't have been easy for him.

With Frank Bush's attitude, and Bill Kollar's tuteledge for two straight years, I think Amobi is going to be just fine.

I do believe the Texans are telling us what they want to see on the DL. 3 techs. Of all the DTs that have come to Houston, Okam is the only one that wasn't a 3 tech. Amobi is the only one that looked like a traditional 3 (IMHO), a shorter, stouter DE. The others are threes, that looked like they should be run stoppers. TJ, DelJuan, etc... Antonio Smith, & even Weaver played well when moved inside.

I'm hoping this confusion about Mitchell's weight, is just some typo error, and not signs of a weight problem.

SMUEarl1.jpg



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I'm warming up to Mitchell some. This was a guy not really on my radar. I generally prefer to get players that are more proven in rounds 1-3. We did that in spades in roudn 1 and 2. This guy seems like a project. Granted, his upside looks tremendous, so it could pay off handsomely down the road but I wonder what kind of contribution he makes in 2010? Was it a reach? This guy seems like a guy you pick between rounds 4-6, but apparently Smithiak seems something they really like. I'm on board, because Smithiak has proven themselves to me, but for no other real reason.

I also wonder if we couldn't be thinking of using this guy on offense in goal-line or short yardage situations. He has plenty of experience at TE and HB. Use him at TE or FB, and get creative.
 
Porky said:
I also wonder if we couldn't be thinking of using this guy on offense in goal-line or short yardage situations. He has plenty of experience at TE and HB. Use him at TE or FB, and get creative.
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I would think we'd use the FB & TEs we've got with plenty of experience for all that.
 
I'm totally on board with the Mitchell pick. DT is a position where he will get some playing time right away, he will get some penetration, cause some disruption and when he learns to play the position the sky is the limit.
 
I'm good with the Mitchell pick, too. I was thinking Georgia's Geno Atkins, who has similar size/speed numbers to Mitchell. I wouldn't mind the Texans double dipping at DT, and looking at a larger NT type. Atkins' teammate, Kade Weston, fits that profile.
 
I am beginning to come around to accept this too. DT is a need. And it is becoming quite apparent that the Texans wont draft a big run stuffer. Still, I dont like it. Too much of a project for my liking. Oh well, it was better than our second 4th round pick.
 
We needed to address the pass rush this season yet again. Most people think that means take DE but we've got plenty of capable DEs who can get pressure from the outside. What we don't have is someone who can collapse the pocet.

Earl Mitchell has the talent to do just that. He's an athletic DT with a quick first step. Hopefully this year when Mario and Barwin come screaming from the edge the QB won't be able to step up in a perfectly formed pocket.

We get push up the middle and our sack numbers improve exponentially. IF Earl Mitchell can push that pocket then he's an excellent pick in the 3rd round.
 
TheRealJoker said:
We needed to address the pass rush this season yet again. Most people think that means take DE but we've got plenty of capable DEs who can get pressure from the outside. What we don't have is someone who can collapse the pocet.

Earl Mitchell has the talent to do just that. He's an athletic DT with a quick first step. Hopefully this year when Mario and Barwin come screaming from the edge the QB won't be able to step up in a perfectly formed pocket.

We get push up the middle and our sack numbers improve exponentially. IF Earl Mitchell can push that pocket then he's an excellent pick in the 3rd round.
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Agreed. Excellent pick. He will provide the pressure up the middle that we have been lacking.
 
I'm on board with this pick. My big question is how long will it take for him to supplant Okoye, not just on passing downs, but full time.

Going back and reviewing the analysis for Okoye, two things jumped right out which have proven true: "...lacks pass rush moves despite eight sacks as a senior" and "...most effective when utilized to clog the inside rush lanes rather than pursue the passer...".

The same draft site, in addition to Mitchell's explosion and quickness off the snap, describes Mitchell as having "quick, active hands to battle inside" and "flashes a good swim and rip move".

I think the big question is whether he will develope into an effective run stopper on first and second downs.

I did notice that he improved some of his combine numbers at his pro day. His final numbers are:

40 time:..........4.75
bench press:...25 reps
vert jump:........33"
twenty yd:.......2.69
ten yd:............1.56
broad jump:.....9'-6"
shuttle:............4.55
cone:...............7.31

These numbers are what drove him up the boards and are right there with Suh and McCoy. The only thing these two have on Mitchell is two more inches in height and a lot more experience. It's frustrating to have the team draft these "projects" but the upside and potential is there. He may prove to be an upgrade for the pass rush this next season, but by 2011 Okoye may be out and we may have a full time player.

(edit) 40 time.
 
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Number19 said:
I'm on board with this pick. My big question is how long will it take for him to supplant Okoye, not just on passing downs, but full time.

Going back and reviewing the analysis for Okoye, two things jumped right out which have proven true: "...lacks pass rush moves despite eight sacks as a senior" and "...most effective when utilized to clog the inside rush lanes rather than pursue the passer...".

The same draft sight, in addition to Mitchell's explosion and quickness off the snap, describes Mitchell as having "quick, active hands to battle inside" and "flashes a good swim and rip move".

I think the big question is whether he will develope into an effective run stopper on first and second downs.

I did notice that he improved some of his combine numbers at his pro day. His final numbers are:

40 time:..........5.75
bench press:...25 reps
vert jump:........33"
twenty yd:.......2.69
ten yd:............1.56
broad jump:.....9'-6"
shuttle:............4.55
cone:...............7.31

These numbers are what drove him up the boards and are right there with Suh and McCoy. The only thing these two have on Mitchell is two more inches in height and a lot more experience. It's frustrating to have the team draft these "projects" but the upside and potential is there. He may prove to be an upgrade for the pass rush this next season, but by 2011 Okoye may be out and we may have a full time player.
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It's a 4.75 .
 
mariowillshine15 said:
Someone here posted a scouting report where he was projected 2-3.

It's all in the eyes of the beholder and obviously they thought he was worth it.
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Don't kill the messenger. I totally agree. I just posted this profile to present contrasting opinions out there. I just hope that the DL is not being one-dimensionally directed to the QB while forgetting to even wave "Bye bye" to designated rusher.
 
I like the pick even if I'm not up on the player. Definite need and reading the scouting report he sounds like a guy with some tools that needs coaching. Love the quickness, a DT should never be running more than 10 yards to tackle the QB/RB anyway. This is a definite message to ALL of the DTs as none of them stand out. I think Okoye already sees the writing on the wall. He is the least contributing 1st round pick this regime has made and it's not really close. Cody and Zgonina are stop gaps so they feel the pressure too. Okam...well...
 
Mitchell is a player who had come on latety.
I have him on my wish list (as an option in the 4th rd), but IMO he still has a lot to learn and to adjust to.
He's still very inconsistent. I like his potential and all, but I think he will struggle for awhile if they put him on the field too early.

Either we will say a fond farewell to Zgonina or bid adieu to Okam as we embrace the concept of penetrating DT and forget about that ellusive NT many of us wish for.

Now if all they want for Mitchell to do is to penetrate the gap then he can join the rotation soon. But if they ask him to do too much (like all the things they ask of our other DTs) he will struggle, IMHO.
 
I went to north shore hs with earl. Hes a good guy, hoping he does well. Can't do any worse than bust-obi okoye
 
Pay_Me_Rick said:
I went to north shore hs with earl. Hes a good guy, hoping he does well. Can't do any worse than bust-obi okoye
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With a big guy , the first thing you ask is , does he have a motor . I think Earl is a football player first and foremost . He had those sacks against USC and was player of the week , they were timely sacks at that .
 
Number19 said:
I'm on board with this pick. My big question is how long will it take for him to supplant Okoye, not just on passing downs, but full time.
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I seriously doubt the plan is to supplant Okoye. I would bet the Texans will use him the way we use Antonio Smith on passing downs, as a DT next to Okoye.

I understand we aren't seeing the numbers from Okoye, but this defense is pretty good with him. We ended the season 13th overall, and that's with a ridiculous September. Over the last 13 weeks of the season, we were as good as any defense in the league. With Okoye playing a large number of those snaps.

If Mitchell pans out, I think he's just going to allow Smith to take some plays off, and tighten up the Barwin/Smith rotation.
 
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