Raiders’ Mitchell could get the last laugh

By Brad Wilbricht  |   Friday, June 05, 2009  |  Comments( 19 )

 Oakland Raiders
While second-round pick Mike Mitchell has been the butt of countless jokes for allegedly being selected too early in April's NFL draft, the rookie safety may end up proving the doubters wrong. If Mitchell can secure a starting spot in Oakland’s secondary, it would validate the decision by the Raiders’ front office to choose the former Ohio...
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CommentsComments: 19
 No.1
PaRaiderFan		 04:23 AM
06/05/2009
I hope Mitchell takes some heads off!
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 No.2
 04:31 AM
06/05/2009
I really hope Huff pans out to be at least a servicable starter. If Mitchell comes in and takes a starting spot that would be great. With Nnamdi being the exception, the Raiders have been really sorry at scouting defensive backs. Even Nnamdi took time to develope, so don't think Mitchell will come in and make an immediate impact.
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 No.3
El Tato		 06:57 AM
06/05/2009
FS: I think Hiram Eugene will keep his FS spot this season. He is the only one with experience and Cable mentiened him as a team leader. In my opinion he did well last season, he said his main weakness in 2007 was his tackling so he worked hard to improve that, and in my opinion he improved a lot to the point I can't remember him missing a tackle and he even made 3 or 4 TD-saving tackles on RB's according to Cable. At times he also put some hits on WR's (I remember at least one big shot against TB)

SS: I think Tyvon Branch is going to start over Mitchell. He has one pro season under his belt and must be hungry for hitting somebody after ending last season on IR and playing all season with a cast that prevented him to play full speed. But one thing I can't really understand is why Branch is playing SS and not FS since he was a CB in College, the natural move for him should be to FS. If he does well in coverage this season, expect him to be a FS next season with Mike Mitchell the starting SS.

Others:

- Mike Mitchell will be a situational run-stopper and ST player this season unless he excells in pre-season and training camp.
- Michael Huff will be a nickel safety replacing Rashad Baker and will come in to cover TE, something where he does an excellent job.
- Keith Davis will be an ST player where he starred in Dallas.
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