Mike Mitchell talks about playing the Panthers

[Mr. Scot]

From Joe person in The Observer...

 

Excepts:

 

Former Panthers defensive back D.J. Moore, after seeing Mitchell’s hit on the third-quarter incompletion last week in the Ravens’ 26-6 victory, tweeted that Mitchell and Smith “in no way shape or form (were) fans of each other.”

Apparently, the two strong-willed personalities weren’t chummy during the Panthers’ 12-win season in 2013. But Mitchell said he and Smith forged a bond during the offseason when Smith was released and found himself in free agency for the first time in his career.

“Steve’s a good dude. Me and him got close once the season was over and we were both in free agency. We exchanged a lot of text messages,” Mitchell said during a 20-minute phone interview. “I wasn’t trying to hit Steve in the head. As a competitor, we had texted during the week, just chopped it up for a little bit. … I thought it was a clean hit. Obviously, the referees didn’t see it that way.”

 

(that's interesting)

 

Panthers tight end Greg Olsen said he saw Mitchell’s hit on Smith – and wasn’t surprised.

“That’s him,” Olsen said. “He’s an aggressive player. I don’t think he’s a dirty player. I think he’s a good, hard-nosed, physical safety. Kind of toes that line, but he makes his presence felt and that’s what makes him a good player.”

Mitchell said he’d gone in low, but with Smith going down after an initial hit by safety Troy Polamalu, Mitchell’s shoulder struck Smith in the head.

Mitchell said Smith didn’t mention the play after the game. Instead, according to Mitchell, Smith hugged him and told him he’d see him when the teams meet again Nov. 2.

 

“He’s a really talented guy,” Olsen said. “You’ve got to know where he’s at. He was a big part of our defense last year. Unfortunately he moved on and found himself in a place that kind of fits his mold.

“We know what kind of player he is.”

Mitchell, 27, wanted to stay with the Panthers, but they couldn’t come close to the Steelers’ five-year, $25 million offer.

“In my heart I thought I’d done enough to deserve the contract I was looking for,” he said. “And I definitely thought they were going to be the one to give it to me.”

Mitchell said it was a business decision by the Panthers, who were cap-strapped and preparing to put the franchise tag on defensive end Greg Hardy.

 

Because the Steelers played last Thursday, Mitchell was able to watch the Panthers’ 24-7 win against Detroit on Sunday. He is a fan of speed-rusher Mario Addison, who had 2.5 sacks against the Lions while Hardy was deactivated.

He said there’s a big drop-off in the Panthers’ pass rush without Hardy, though.

“Absolutely,” Mitchell said. “He’s one of the better pass-rushers in the National Football League. I don’t think they’re going to get better not having him play. That would be ludicrous.”

Mitchell said the defense looks like it picked up where it left off in 2013 when the Panthers finished No. 2 behind Seattle in total defense and scoring defense.

 

While none of the Panthers’ receivers this season played with Mitchell, he had good things to say about Jason Avant and Jerricho Cotchery and rookie Kelvin Benjamin, whom he called a special talent.

“For them to have so much negativity talked about them early in the offseason, I think they’re a very good group,” Mitchell said. “You see the experience of some of the older guys that they brought in, but they’re performing at a high level for them.”

In a 2012 game against the Panthers when he was still in Oakland, Mitchell blitzed and appeared to hit quarterback Cam Newton late. Newton, who said Mitchell drove him into the ground, got up and bumped referee Jerome Boger, who penalized him for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Mitchell laughed when asked whether he would target Newton’s cracked ribs this week.

“I’m not targeting anywhere. But you can’t hit him in the leg and you can’t hit him in the head. I have to aim my target at his midsection,” he said. “Really, I want the football. As I’m getting older I’m kind of over hitting a guy real hard and they keep possession of the ball. I want to get the football out.”

 

Full story here.

 

Mike Mitchell this weekend.  Steve Smith the next.  Julius Peppers a few weeks later.  Captain Munnerlyn a few weeks after that.

 

We'll be seeing a lot of 'old friends' this season.

[@bobbyagnese]

I hope one of our running backs has an uncontrollable bowel movement on Julius Peppers mid-game.

[Mr. Scot]

Jeff King was a tight end and doesn't play here anymore.

[SIGCHI222]

Friends that are going to get benefits.

[LUUUUUKE]

Loved Mitchell and was sad to see him go. I'll never forget his post game interview "you have to play us"

Having said that though, I hope we torch him

[Mr. Scot]

Watching him last week, I kinda wondered if maybe he wasn't fully acclimated to the Steelers system yet.

[WhoAmI?]

It seems like all of our former players keep track of us still. Just goes to show you the type of "family" atmosphere Rivera and Gettleman have created here. I already know in his heart Mitchell still wants to be here.

[CelibatePimp]

It seems like all of our former players keep track of us still. Just goes to show you the type of "family" atmosphere Rivera and Gettleman have created here. I already know in his heart Mitchell still wants to be here.

 

Of course he wants to be here. His front seven is making him look stupid in Pittsburgh.

[Dex]

It seems like all of our former players keep track of us still. Just goes to show you the type of "family" atmosphere Rivera and Gettleman have created here. I already know in his heart Mitchell still wants to be here.

Have you seen the Steelers defense? At this point he'd probably play here for 1 million a year.

[Kuhndog94]

I'm really sad that I missed that hit.

[t96]

Loved Mitchell and was sad to see him go. I'll never forget his post game interview "you have to play us"

Having said that though, I hope we torch him

 

His best was after the Niners game (that may be the same as the "you have to play us" I just can't remember).

[Mr. Scot]

Other thing I wonder about in Pittsburgh...

 

Mike Tomlin wasn't really given a choice whether to keep Dick LeBeau or not.  Regardless of who the head coach is, LeBeau is likely the Steelers DC for as long as he chooses to be.

 

But LeBeau is a 3-4 zone blitz guy while the vast majority of Tomlin's work prior to the Steelers was in 4-3, Cover 2 systems.  Most Steeler coaches let LeBeau run all things defense, but Tomlin was known for being a hands-on guy.

 

I kinda wonder how those two mesh.

[WhoAmI?]

Of course he wants to be here. His front seven is making him look stupid in Pittsburgh.

Have you seen the Steelers defense? At this point he'd probably play here for 1 million a year.

 

lol Yeah that too.

[t96]

His best was after the Niners game (that may be the same as the "you have to play us" I just can't remember).

 

My bad I meant the Dolphins game, just checked and that is the same one. So much passion that dude was high on football and it was beautiful to see. I wish we could've kept him I really do, but not for the money that Pittsburgh gave him.