http://touch.sun-sentinel.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-80553919/ This is what I like to hear and why I'm excited for the acquisition. This is also a reason and why I wasn't sad to see the two down Paul Solai depart, it may come back to haunt me but how much worse can it get for cryin out loud, we were horrible against the run and that's his main job.. I'm good with Mitch.
Good stuff deej. It's way early and the hitting hasn't started, but it's great to hear that he's showing good burst and speed for a man his size. I think we really need him to develop into a very good DT. I think, more than most, the loss of Solai could possibly hurt. Regardless of scheme, it's always good to have a big, stout guy like that to clog up the middle and to sometimes take on some double teams. It keeps the others fresher for the third down, nickel type packages, etc. I'm not saying that he is necessarily that type of player, but still, you really need to have some depth. Anyway, early, but sounds very good.
You have to believe that if he was solid as a nose that he can handle playing over a guard and like he said have more fun doing it. Looks promising so far and obviously we need to shore up that run D and get them the hell off of the field.
Problem was, we ran lots of stunts last yr and literally opened holes in the defense It was the same personnel who manned those stout run D's, save for Ellerbe, scheme was different and more concerned with penetration than run stuffing
Not gonna lie, my buttcheeks involuntarily flinched at that first part re: the blocking. It's just the bad memories of last season, man. Almost got the dirty pants.
I hope this is not an indication that they haven't resolved the O-Line issues Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk
Until they put on pads all this means in regards to the oline is that they did not slap and tickle him enough.
I think there were a couple of visible issues with run stunts missing the mark, but overall the run defense was bad on its own merits, mostly due to Wheeler/Ellerbe issues. Paul Soliai wasn't bad, but he's pretty well settled into being a "pretty good" player at his position career-wise, and I think Randy Starks was better when he lined up at the position than Soliai last year.
That's my GML free agent steal of the year I think next year GML teams are going to eyeball my first day FA signings to not let me get a Earl Mitchell for $495k
I agree. I like Mitchell's ability to attack the gaps. I think he may be a little more disruptive behind the LOS due to his quickness. However, the bulk of the run defense issues weren't due to Soliai and I'm not sure Earl Mitchell will be the reason if we improve there. It will be because our defense as team, specifically at the LB position improved.
