I am a Raider fan. Love M.M. Sad to see him leave.

Hope he makes some noise, he might have only one more chance after the Panthers to make a name for himself if things don't go well.

New GM Reggie McKenzie's clearing house.

I don't think it's directed as much at him as Al Davis.  When your entire draft class is gone after three or four seasons, there seemed to be some mismanagement there.  We were all surprised that Mike was taken so high; I thought he would go 5 or lower.  The Raiders' 2009 draft was a case of overlooking players with better-developed skills to get players who were good but had issues and needed some more development.  As it turns out, they didn't always let the development happen, and frankly they often didn't have the personnel (coaches or veteran players) to nurture that development. 

Mike has done better than most of the others they picked that year.

L.C spot on as always-

I have been reading this board since 2005.  I get irritated by the condescending passive-aggressive skeptic vibe these topics seem to take on.  

It's a nature of a blog I get it check, but come on Mike Mitchell has always been a top notch physical talent I.E. why the Raiders (AL Davis) selected him 2nd RD. He has battled multiple injuries both in college and NFL yet still made two pro bowl BALLOTS  as a special teamer.  Yes he started 9 games along with playing significant amount of time and packages against the best TE's in the game Gates, Davis, and Witten.   Lets not forget he played behind an under performing top ten pick (HUFF-$ TALKS),franchise player (BRANCH), and Dennis Allen's favorite Giordano. 

 One example I attended the Raiders-Chargers game two years ago in which Mike Mitchell scheme wise was personally responsible for man to man coverage on Gates and shut him down period.  

*** Mind the the language** The link below is a small taste to the point above.  Mitchell did this time and time again against Gates talent was never a question speaks to his potential that the Raiders, Bengals, and Panthers all saw in offering him  2nd term contracts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0bOGU8ImV8

Wrap this rant up-
I understand it's a culture shock for a lot of pessimistic OU fans to truly accept the evolution as talent and success progress' at a very rapid pace in Athens under Coach Solich.  I am all about keeping it real and not drinking the bad jungle juice.  Yet there still remains a culture on our campus and somewhat on here that underestimates the relative talent and success Mr. Solich is bringing to town and the development of Sonny Sano's  weight program that continually gets blamed for injuries by wikipedia med school grads. Or the recruiting classes that get blasted by the know it all sports ad. student with a rivals account.

 BL: Everyone has the right to their opinion but there is a time and a topic reserved for your candid opinions.  This rant is much more historical based than this specific topic. I believe as OU fans its not our place to focus on negative skepticism, but expose the positive when speaking of our players that earn the right day in and out. 

Very good points.  I found myself LOL when I read the last few words that I've place in bold.

Spent the day at the Panthers training camp.  Mitchell is rotating between the first and second string.  Go suckered in by Cam on a play fake on one play and had a challenge tracking Greg Olson across the middle - but most safeties do.

Highlight of the day was a diving interception by Mitchell of Cam.  He then got up and "returned" it for a TD - flipping into the end zone and tossing the ball to crowd.   Huge cheer from the fans and players.  He was having fun.  Wore my Ohio shirt and gave a shout out that he acknowledged.  Also signed the boy's hat.

Heading back down tomorrow - will post if there's anything.  Also took some photos of him - if I can ever figure out how to post them.

It was "close, but don't tackle" day in pads.

Photo 9
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/07/28/4196672/sunda...

Couple of O$U fans were giving shout out to a few Buckeyes trying to make the team.  Yelling "O-H"  and got an "I-O" in return.  Amazing how loud a "U" can be at the end of it.  Mitchell yelled out the second time around as well and gave the "U" sign.  

Mitchell continues to make plays - had a fumble recovery the other day.  Also had a talking to:


From the Charlotte Observer

Emotional rescue: Strong safety Mike Mitchell, a free-agent acquisition from Oakland, tossed rookie running back Kenjon Barner to the ground at the end of a long run. Barner was not too happy about it.

Neither was Rivera, who pulled Mitchell aside and talked to him after the incident.

“Mike’s a very emotional player, and when certain things happen, he reacts a certain way,” Rivera said. “The big thing and the best thing about it is you watch him and you want to make sure he keeps his emotions in check because you don’t want to get a cheap penalty. You don’t want to get anybody tossed."

Mike started for the Panthers tonight and was second on the team in tackles with 5 in a close loss the Eagles.