Let's talk Earl Mitchell

[Beerman]

A different face has started at nose tackle for the Chargers each of the past three years.

After this week, the streak could continue.

Free agency begins Tuesday at 1 p.m. PT, and high on San Diego's to-do list is addressing its vacancy at nose tackle. Cam Thomas, the incumbent at the position, will test free agency, the team keeping the door open for his possible return but, for now, not knocking it down.

The Chargers will first reach out to others.

They are expected to show interest in Earl Mitchell, a 14-game starter last season for the Texans. Mitchell, 26, could be in high demand, as teams reportedly project him not only as a 3-4 nose tackle but possibly a better fit at 4-3 defensive tackle. ESPN analyst Bill Polian, a former mentor to Chargers General Manager Tom Telesco, is especially high on Mitchell.

Polian gave an "A" grade to six free agents.

Mitchell, a 2010 third-round draft pick, was one of them.

He has appeared in all but one NFL game in his four-year career. In 2013, he totaled 58 tackles and 1.5 sacks, both personal highs.

San Diego has lacked stability at nose tackle since Jamal Williams clogged lanes from 2000 to 2009.

Antonio Garay started in 2010 and 2011, adding more pass rush to the position. Aubrayo Franklin was a solid, experienced run stopper in 2012 after arriving on a one-year deal. Franklin then left in free agency, and the Chargers handed the keys over to Thomas.

Ten of Thomas' 15 career starts came in 2013. He had 23 tackles and, on the first play of the season opener, intercepted a batted ball. Sean Lissemore eventually overtook the starting role in December but, moving forward, is considered more of a natural defensive end.

I haven't paid much attention to him, but he fits the mold of a young player entering his prime that we should be targeting. Anyone watch him play extensively?

[Beerman]

RapSheet: Good player. They won’t be alone RT @UTgehlken: Chargers in NT market. Expected to have interest in Earl Mitchell: http://t.co/QHha7frrUb

[Stinky Wizzleteats+]

Looking at a vet NT, the Chargers not targeting Solari or Raji...

But Mitchell! Get ready for Yubba to tell us how wrong this guy is compared to his guy, and why Telesco should listen to him...



Veteran nose tackle on Chargers' radar Team expected to pursue Earl Mitchell in free agency

By Michael Gehlken 04:18p.m. Mar 10, 2014

A different face has started at nose tackle for the Chargers each of the past three years.

After this week, the streak could continue.

Free agency begins Tuesday at 1 p.m. PT, and high on San Diego's to-do list is addressing its vacancy at nose tackle. Cam Thomas, the incumbent at the position, will test free agency, the team keeping the door open for his possible return but, for now, not knocking it down.

The Chargers will first reach out to others.

They are expected to show interest in Earl Mitchell, a 14-game starter last season for the Texans. Mitchell, 26, could be in high demand, as teams reportedly project him not only as a 3-4 nose tackle but possibly a better fit at 4-3 defensive tackle. ESPN analyst Bill Polian, a former mentor to Chargers General Manager Tom Telesco, is especially high on Mitchell.

Polian gave an "A" grade to six free agents.

Mitchell, a 2010 third-round draft pick, was one of them.

He has appeared in all but one NFL game in his four-year career. In 2013, he totaled 58 tackles and 1.5 sacks, both personal highs.

San Diego has lacked stability at nose tackle since Jamal Williams clogged lanes from 2000 to 2009.

Antonio Garay started in 2010 and 2011, adding more pass rush to the position. Aubrayo Franklin was a solid, experienced run stopper in 2012 after arriving on a one-year deal. Franklin then left in free agency, and the Chargers handed the keys over to Thomas.

Ten of Thomas' 15 career starts came in 2013. He had 23 tackles and, on the first play of the season opener, intercepted a batted ball. Sean Lissemore eventually overtook the starting role in December but, moving forward, is considered more of a natural defensive end.

[Beerman]

Already posted. Tooo slow.

[Formula 21]

I'm not objecting, but he's a little light at 300 pounds.

[Beerman]

Houston Texans defensive lineman and soon to be free agent Earl Mitchell has started to gain some looks on the open market. Mitchell who was drafted by the Texans in 2010 in the 3rd round (81st overall) out of Arizona has worked himself into a solid and starting potential NFL defensive tackle.
Originally drafted for the Texans 4-3 defensive scheme as a three technique, Mitchell has to reinvent himself as a nose tackle when Wade Phillips arrived in 2011. Mitchell packed on weight and climbed to 300 lbs. and proved he could play the nose tackle position in a 3-4 scheme. His biggest attributes are his strength but his ability to move for his 300 lbs. frame, and that goes back to his Arizona days when he was recruited as a fullback.
Mitchell appeared in 63 games in four seasons for the Texans and started 17 of those games. For his career he has 134 total tackles with 3.5 sacks and 1 forced fumble, and he has been the consummate team player for the Texans.
The Houston native and North Shore High School product looks like he is in for a good pay-day with these recent rumors.

Apparently he's a good guy too

Houston Texans defensive tackle Earl Mitchell has been named 2014 Whataburger community player of the year for the Houston Texans. He was voted for the award for his work around the city of Houston and the community.

[Stinky Wizzleteats+]

Mods please move to Beers superior thread!

Thanks!

[Antonio's Gates]

weight doesnt mean anything. it's all about leverage. I could name other guys that weighed 300 pounds that played well at NT. Kyle Williams for example.

[Gwynning_Spirit]

How many whataburger's do you have to eat to win that award?

[Yubaking]

But Mitchell! Get ready for Yubba to tell us how wrong this guy is compared to his guy, and why Telesco should listen to him...



Veteran nose tackle on Chargers' radar Team expected to pursue Earl Mitchell in free agency

By Michael Gehlken 04:18p.m. Mar 10, 2014

A different face has started at nose tackle for the Chargers each of the past three years.

After this week, the streak could continue.

Free agency begins Tuesday at 1 p.m. PT, and high on San Diego's to-do list is addressing its vacancy at nose tackle. Cam Thomas, the incumbent at the position, will test free agency, the team keeping the door open for his possible return but, for now, not knocking it down.

The Chargers will first reach out to others.

They are expected to show interest in Earl Mitchell, a 14-game starter last season for the Texans. Mitchell, 26, could be in high demand, as teams reportedly project him not only as a 3-4 nose tackle but possibly a better fit at 4-3 defensive tackle. ESPN analyst Bill Polian, a former mentor to Chargers General Manager Tom Telesco, is especially high on Mitchell.

Polian gave an "A" grade to six free agents.

Mitchell, a 2010 third-round draft pick, was one of them.

He has appeared in all but one NFL game in his four-year career. In 2013, he totaled 58 tackles and 1.5 sacks, both personal highs.

San Diego has lacked stability at nose tackle since Jamal Williams clogged lanes from 2000 to 2009.

Antonio Garay started in 2010 and 2011, adding more pass rush to the position. Aubrayo Franklin was a solid, experienced run stopper in 2012 after arriving on a one-year deal. Franklin then left in free agency, and the Chargers handed the keys over to Thomas.

Ten of Thomas' 15 career starts came in 2013. He had 23 tackles and, on the first play of the season opener, intercepted a batted ball. Sean Lissemore eventually overtook the starting role in December but, moving forward, is considered more of a natural defensive end.

Let me start off by saying that Telesco has made some very good moves this offseason in terms of re-signing players and restructuring certain contracts.

That said, it could be disastrous for us to sign Mitchell. He gives us nothing and would stand to take away valuable resources that we desperately need to use for players that would actually help us. Worse yet, adding him might convince Telesco not to draft Nix if he is available at #25 or even Justin Ellis later in the draft (i.e., something resembling an actual NT).

Even before anyone mentioned Mitchell on this board, I looked at Polian's grades and concluded that he must have been temporarily insane to give an A to Mitchell and deem him a top 6 FA overall. He has some other crazy grades as well. By contrast, PFF graded Mitchell negatively and worse than Cam Thomas last year. Soliai was ranked positively in double digits. CBSSports ranks Mitchell 97th among FAs with Soliai ranking 33rd. Yahoo ranks Mitchell 43rd out of 48 named free agent DL players. Soliai is ranked 16th.

Worse yet, Soliai's value would be better for us and Mitchell's value less for us. Mitchell is a 4-3 DT that played out of position as a NT last year. Soliai is a true 3-4 NT. But that's just scheme. It's even more of an issue when one considers that we have no real run stoppers on our DL save an undersized Lissemore (if he is going to be asked to play NT). I definitely would play Lissemore over Mitchell. The absolute last thing we need to do is to bring in another player that might struggle to hold the point of attack and that will not command any double teams. Mitchell makes us even softer than we were with Thomas.

Please, please, please pass on Mitchell.

[TTK]

Let me start off by saying that Telesco has made some very good moves this offseason in terms of re-signing players and restructuring certain contracts.

That said, it could be disastrous for us to sign Mitchell. He gives us nothing and would stand to take away valuable resources that we desperately need to use for players that would actually help us. Worse yet, adding him might convince Telesco not to draft Nix if he is available at #25 or even Justin Ellis later in the draft (i.e., something resembling an actual NT).

Even before anyone mentioned Mitchell on this board, I looked at Polian's grades and concluded that he must have been temporarily insane to give an A to Mitchell and deem him a top 6 FA overall. He has some other crazy grades as well. By contrast, PFF graded Mitchell negatively and worse than Cam Thomas last year. Soliai was ranked positively in double digits. CBSSports ranks Mitchell 97th among FAs with Soliai ranking 33rd. Yahoo ranks Mitchell 43rd out of 48 named free agent DL players. Soliai is ranked 16th.

Worse yet, Soliai's value would be better for us and Mitchell's value less for us. Mitchell is a 4-3 DT that played out of position as a NT last year. Soliai is a true 3-4 NT. But that's just scheme. It's even more of an issue when one considers that we have no real run stoppers on our DL save an undersized Lissemore (if he is going to be asked to play NT). I definitely would play Lissemore over Mitchell. The absolute last thing we need to do is to bring in another player that might struggle to hold the point of attack and that will not command any double teams. Mitchell makes us even softer than we were with Thomas.

Please, please, please pass on Mitchell.

I think this post means that Mitchell will be a Pro-Bowler next year. Get on it, TT!

[thelightningwill]

Statistically, the Texans defense was a lot better in 2012 without Mitchell as a starting nose tackle than it was in 2013 with Mitchell as a starting nose tackle.

I really don't know shit about the Texans or Mitchell. Just backing up Yubaking because he seems to get ganged up on a lot.