BILLS SIGN LB Kawika Mitchell

[alohabillsfan]

Bills reach deal with Giants linebacker Mitchell By Mark Gaughan - News Sports Reporter
Updated: 02/29/08 11:28 AM

The Buffalo Bills have reached an agreement with New York Giants free-agent outside linebacker Kawika Mitchell, The Buffalo News has learned Meanwhile, former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Marcus Stroud of the Jacksonville Jaguars is scheduled to visit the Bills today. Stroud is not a free agent but has been given permission from the Jaguars to seek a trade.

Mitchell, 28, is a five-year veteran who started 16 games for the Super Bowl champions last season. He's 6-foot-1 and 253 pounds. He figures to be an immediate upgrade at strong-side linebacker for the Bills' defense.

Mitchell is expected in Buffalo later today to sign a contract.

[Romes]

no Briggs then :(

[DraftBoy]

Something isnt quite adding up here

[gr8slayer]

:link:

[madness]

http://www.buffalonews.com/258/story/288087.html

[Devin]

The Buffalo Bills have reached an agreement with New York Giants free-agent outside linebacker Kawika Mitchell, The Buffalo News has learned.

Meanwhile, former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Marcus Stroud of the Jacksonville Jaguars is scheduled to visit the Bills today. Stroud is not a free agent but has been given permission from the Jaguars to seek a trade.

http://www.buffalonews.com/258/story/288087.html

[Mitchy moo]

How much is he going to cost us?????????

[Ed]

Maybe Briggs is in the process of signing somewhere else and the Bills know it.

I'm dissapointed we're not getting Briggs, but Mitchell is at least an upgrade from a championship team.

[gr8slayer]

GREAT NEWS!

[TacklingDummy]

:link:

You picked me the wrong no-name Linebacker. :oops:

[colin]

i love briggs, but mitchel is a big stud SLB.

moving crow to WILL gives us a potential upgrade at both spots -- kawika is a stronger guy at the point of attack, and crow has sick all around skills.

could be pretty kewl.

[alohabillsfan]

Mitchell is a SLB, Briggs is a WLB

[gr8slayer]

You picked me the wrong no-name Linebacker. :oops:
Mitchell is not a no-name LB.

[Mr. Miyagi]

Wow. NOBODY saw this coming.

He's probably a good signing but it's hard to get excited about that.

[superbills]

Something isnt quite adding up here

What do you mean?

[Mitchy moo]

Now get Briggs and let's make it a championship type D.............

[venis2k1]

no Briggs then :(


Who cares??? Let someone else pay 7 mil a year for a WLB that will only make 1-2 plays a game. Welcome to buffalo Kiwaki.

[TacklingDummy]

Mitchell is not a no-name LB.

To me he is. Since I don't follow other teams/players that closely.

We should get half the :zb: because we picked the right position.

[gr8slayer]

Wow. NOBODY saw this coming.

He's probably a good signing but it's hard to get excited about that.
I seriously almost started a thread last night advocating for Mitchell.

[superbills]

Wow. NOBODY saw this coming.

He's probably a good signing but it's hard to get excited about that.

He IS a good signing and we should be excited. Briggs probably wants ridiculous money and we have too many needs to blow the wad on one guy.

[realdealryan]

Oh snap I was a year early on this prediction. I like it.

http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/showthread.php?t=122248&page=2&highlight=mitchell

[Mitchy moo]

I seriously almost started a thread last night advocating for Mitchell.

That's Ironic.:respect:

[Devin]

Look at it this way guys. Without signing briggs Mitchell is probably the biggest upgrade at LB via FA we could get.

[gr8slayer]

To me he is. Since I don't follow other teams/players that closely.

We should get half the :zb: because we picked the right position.
He was a HUGE part of the NYG defense being as good as they were last year.

[The Spaz]

Good signing. With Crowell and Poz we have a good LB core. Shuffling Ellison with Wire from time in the other LB spot almost made me hurl a few times.

[Mitchy moo]

Look at it this way guys. Without signing briggs Mitchell is probably the biggest upgrade at LB via FA we could get.

How do you know we still don't sign Briggs??

[gr8slayer]

Look at it this way guys. Without signing briggs Mitchell is probably the biggest upgrade at LB via FA we could get.
Exactly and likely came at half the price leaving the option open for other big names.

[gr8slayer]

Good signing. With Crowell and Poz we have a good LB core. Shuffling Ellison with Wire from time in the other LB spot almost made me hurl a few times.
Wire got cut.

[TacklingDummy]

He was a HUGE part of the NYG defense being as good as they were last year.

The Giants D-line and the pressure they put on the QB impressed me.

Improve the D-line, pressure the QB, and that will help the secondary and Linebackers. That's what the Bills need.

[hydro]

How do you know we still don't sign Briggs??

C'mon skoobs, its a forgone conclusion. It just wouldn't make sense.

[jmb1099]

Holy Crap! We are serious about FA this year!!!!

[gr8slayer]

The Giants D-line and the pressure they put on the QB impressed me.

Improve the D-line, pressure the QB, and that will help the secondary and Linebackers. That's what the Bills need.
We also needed to upgrade Ellison. I honestly don't know how you can't like this signing.

[madness]

In case anyone forgot... he had 2 sacks, a FF, and an interception for a TD against us this year.

I'm glad he's on our side now.

[The Spaz]

Wire got cut.

Re read, and I know.

[Mitchy moo]

C'mon skoobs, its a forgone conclusion. It just wouldn't make sense.

Well why?? We have like $50 M to spend, getting both of these guys in here would make us that much better wouldn't it??

[PECKERWOOD]

Now let's get Stroud and I would be very pleased with Mitchell and Stroud as are two major free agent signings! I've always liked Marcus Stroud and Mitchell, if we get them both this offseason would be unreal to me. Forgot to add Florence, I wouldn't mind him either! :D

[gr8slayer]

Re read, and I know.
Still reads like you were un-aware.

[TacklingDummy]

We also needed to upgrade Ellison. I honestly don't know how you can't like this signing.

I never said that.

If he's good, I am glad they signed him. F@@k Briggs.

[realdealryan]

How do you know we still don't sign Briggs??
Cash to the cap. Can we afford his bonus money this year? Probably not what he wants plus an extension for Evans....

Also, I think we have a corner on the weird names beginning with K.

Kiwaukee and Kawika. This phenomenon should be used when predicting our next free agent signing.



/\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\

edit: nevermind, apparently we had to release a K to sign a K....

[Patti120]

This probably eliminates Rivers from the draft then..?

[Mitchy moo]

I would like Stroud and Briggs. Then we can spend the whole draft on the Offense side, lot's of WR's / TE's.

[gr8slayer]

I never said that.

If he's good, I am glad they signed him. F@@k Briggs.
Signing him over Briggs gives us the money to go out and get someone like Stroud or whoever else we have our eyes on.

[Mitchy moo]

Cash to the cap. Can we afford his bonus money this year? Probably not what he wants plus an extension for Evans....

Also, I think we have a corner on the weird names beginning with K.

Kiwaukee and Kawika. This phenomenon should be used when predicting our next free agent signing.

We have $50 M and we are worried about CTC?? How much are these guys going to eat up in signing bonuses??

[PECKERWOOD]

This probably eliminates Rivers from the draft then..?

I would still like depth, get me Ali Highsmith in 3b.

[gr8slayer]

The Bills are reportedly making a major push to sign Giants LB Kawika Mitchell.
His speed would play well in Dick Jauron's scheme. Buffalo would have enviable depth at the position if they get Mitchaell under contract.

[hydro]

Well why?? We have like $50 M to spend, getting both of these guys in here would make us that much better wouldn't it??

That is way too much money focused on one position. This isn't Madden 08, we can't just fill right up to the cap with players. We need to leave some for the future.

[eyedog]

I like the signing Immmediate upgrade. Mitchell, Poz, Crowell. Now get Stroud and use #11 on another d-lineman and we may be able to stop teams from running all over us.

[patmoran2006]

Wow. NOBODY saw this coming.

He's probably a good signing but it's hard to get excited about that.
Sure it is.
He's not Briggs, but it also gives us more flexibility to do other things in FA.

I like him.. He sure as hell is a MAJOR upgrade over Keith Ellison.. I never thought we had a realistic shot at Briggs anyway.

This is an upgrade and a good "first" step.

[patmoran2006]

Kern wont like this move, there goes one of his 4th round project LB's to start next year.

[PECKERWOOD]

Is this official guys? Or is this thread still speculation. I see nothing on the net about it and I haven't heard a word on TV about it either.

[Devin]

Most importantly it adds a winner to our team. Someone who has been to the big game and won. We need that kind of experience.

[THATHURMANATOR]

Great point Dev!

[gr8slayer]

Is this official guys? Or is this thread still speculation. I see nothing on the net about it and I haven't heard a word on TV about it either.
All I've found is


The Bills are reportedly making a major push to sign Giants LB Kawika Mitchell.
His speed would play well in Dick Jauron's scheme. Buffalo would have enviable depth at the position if they get Mitchaell under contract.

[Mike13]

Holy hell that would be a great signing for you guys.

Poz and and Mitchell? Thats a scary combo.

[justasportsfan]

I like the signing Immmediate upgrade. Mitchell, Poz, Crowell. Now get Stroud and use #11 on another d-lineman and we may be able to stop teams from running all over us.
If we get stroud I doubt we draft a DT with our 11th pick. We have Tripplett/MccArgo - Stroud/Williams. That would suffice. A top end Dt draft pick is gonna end up on the bench. The only way I see this happening is that if they draft one to replace Tripplett. Don't see that happening just yet.

[colin]

guys a player.

now we have 3 solid young LBs who are not chumps against the run or the pass.

i'll take briggs too, but i'd rather take a db, a dt, and just sign the biggest stud at each slot in the draft.

now if a db, de, or wr is there at 11 we just take the best (assuming we nab a dt in fa)

[Luisito23]

Mitchell is a great signing....I've seen him play in alot of games for NY, and he's always played great. A true ballhog!....Great signing indeed!....




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[eyedog]

If we get stroud I doubt we draft a DT with our 11th pick. We have Tripplett/MccArgo - Stroud/Williams. That would suffice. A top end Dt draft pick is gonna end up on the bench. The only way I see this happening is that if they draft one to replace Tripplett. Don't see that happening just yet.


I said d-lineman. If we get Stroud, then look at one of the bigger d-ends also.

Merling, Campbell, or the edge rushers like Harvey or Groves.

If Stroud doesn't happen then Balmer.

[Mr. Pink]

There goes Keith Rivers with our 11th overall pick.

Like the signing, a good player who should flourish in our system and brings veteran leadership and a winning attitude to our team.

A+ job on bringing Kawika in.

[kernowboy]

Kern wont like this move, there goes one of his 4th round project LB's to start next year.

Actually I was considering getting Henderson in R2

By the way in which round was your favourite defensive rookie of the year, DeMeco Ryans drafted? Oh yes, R2

And your favourite free agent LB, Lance Briggs? Oh yes, R3

Nothing quite like getting your facts right eh Pat

[eyedog]

Yes, you can definitely cross Rivers off at #11.

[Dr. Lecter]

Just got the V-TExt!

[patmoran2006]

ya.. Time to change my Keith Rivers signature.. I'll have to give some thought to it.


Didn't Mitchell have 2 sacks and a INT TD return against us?

[justasportsfan]

I said d-lineman. If we get Stroud, then look at one of the bigger d-ends also.

Merling, Campbell, or the edge rushers like Harvey or Groves.

If Stroud doesn't happen then Balmer.
MY bad but I still doubt we draft a DE with the first pick afterthe contract they gave both Kelsay and Schobel. Maybe in the later rounds but not with the 11th pick.

[SquishDaFish]

n/m

[Tatonka]

This probably eliminates Rivers from the draft then..?

our draft position elimated rivers from the draft for us.. lol

[Mitchy moo]

n/m

Nice!! :respect:

[hydro]

:roflmao:

[Night Train]

That's great ! Crowell to weakside.

Well, LB is done ! Super start !

[LifetimeBillsFan]

A good value signing.

No, he's not Briggs. But, he's pretty good--definitely better than Ellison was last year--and will be costing far less than it would have cost to get Briggs (and who knows how good Briggs will be without Urlacher, T.Harris and M.Brown around him).

I didn't think much of Mitchell the few times I saw him when he was with KC, but I watched a lot of the Giants last season and he made a lot of plays for them. There were some games when he stood out more than Pierce--and Pierce can flat out play.

You've got to know that Crowell will be very happy moving back to WLB. And, having Mitchell and Crow on either side of him will help Posluzny a lot. Ellison will make a pretty good # 4 LB and, with DiGiorgio, the Bills will be in pretty good shape at LB on defense. This will also allow them to either draft a rookie LB in the later rounds or keep B.Costanzo to concentrate on playing STs.

All in all, not a bad move. Especially because it still leave the Bills with enough money to make one or two additional moves in FA. And, if they decide to trade for Stroud, it could be a very good move.

[colin]

MY bad but I still doubt we draft a DE with the first pick afterthe contract they gave both Kelsay and Schobel. Maybe in the later rounds but not with the 11th pick.

i dunno, if they rate one of the DEs they could grab him if he is value at 11.

the one thing about the c2 is you rush your de's all damn day like it's a track meet. another solid de could really put us over the top.

[justasportsfan]

i dunno, if they rate one of the DEs they could grab him if he is value at 11.

the one thing about the c2 is you rush your de's all damn day like it's a track meet. another solid de could really put us over the top.
could take a couple of years to develop but I wouldn't be against it. I don't see the bills sticking with either Kelsay or Schobel if neither of them don't play better than they did last year. Plus, we don't know the status of Denneys health

[Jeff1220]

Wow. I go off the computer at the end of lunch (11:33) with no word of Mitchell even being of interest. I teach my class, get them doing some work, check again and the guy is signed.:jawdrop:
I like this signing. Good LBer -not as good/glamorous as Briggs, but very good- definitely upgrades the D, SuperBowl experience, and shouldn't be even close to as expensive.

[raphael120]

Nice signing. We need some leadership on our defense and Poz will be able to learn a lot from him, so Im happy with this.

Whens the last time we had a super bowl winner on our team?

[X-Era]

officially on BB.com

http://buffalobills.com/news/news.jsp?news_id=5891

[blackonyx89]

Has this been posted. If not, sorry. Welcome KM!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZU2T2iF5KyE

:respect:

[X-Era]

Nice signing. We need some leadership on our defense and Poz will be able to learn a lot from him, so Im happy with this.

Whens the last time we had a super bowl winner on our team?

Drew Bledsoe

:couch:

[HHURRICANE]

Wire got cut.

I've been traveling wiotout a computer. Wire got cut?!

[Dujek]

Wow. NOBODY saw this coming.

He's probably a good signing but it's hard to get excited about that.

He's not a good signing...

He's a ****ing great signing!

[kgun12]

Real good signing. A lot cheaper than Briggs and not as much talent difference, I like it!

[bigbub2352]

Great pick up, i was hopin for Briggs, but Mitchell is badass just look what he did to us last year, and he is immmediatly better than Ellison, he is nasty and plays with a fire under his ass, and is real good against the run

[djjimkelly]

i like this move alot hes a big body that dont mess around he is also a 3 down player if need be!

this is actually quite the solid signing

[Bruce is Loose]

From my friend who is a giants fan and watches every game:
"He was nasty before:
A: They moved him from DE to LB
and
B: Before he got hurt
"
I dont see anywhere that he ever played DE - I think my friend has the wrong guy...

[LtBillsFan66]

He's good. I see a lot of Giants games.

[TigerJ]

Mitchell is very fast for his size. According to CouchScout.com he runs a 4.51 40. He'll be 29 in October, so he's in his football prime. Obviously, this means Crowell will move to the weak side. This will give Buffalo a very solid linebacking corps. Presumably, it also removes linebacker out of first round consideration in the draft. What's left for Buffalo to address in round one? WR, CB, and maybe DT. We'll see if Buffalo pulls off the Stroud trade now. That would obviously take the place of one big free agent signing. After that, I would expect only a few role plater signings.

http://www.couchscout.com/PLB.HTM

[Bert102176]

I don't like this signing at all

[Jeff1220]

I don't like this signing at all

Could you be a little more specific?

[The Spaz]

Mitchell is very fast for his size. According to CouchScout.com he runs a 4.51 40. He'll be 29 in October, so he's in his football prime. Obviously, this means Crowell will move to the weak side. This will give Buffalo a very solid linebacking corps. Presumably, it also removes linebacker out of first round consideration in the draft. What's left for Buffalo to address in round one? WR, CB, and maybe DT. We'll see if Buffalo pulls off the Stroud trade now. That would obviously take the place of one big free agent signing. After that, I would expect only a few role plater signings.

http://www.couchscout.com/PLB.HTM

I am seeing he played the weak side for the Giants. It doesn't matter I like this signing.:)

[djjimkelly]

Could you be a little more specific?


hes probably one of those people who thought digirgio was an nfl caliber LB

get back on the bench digirgio

[hydro]

I hope Bert was being sarcastic. Or just bummed about not getting Briggs.

[HHURRICANE]

Funny part is that I've been saying all year that Ellison and DiGorgio are not starters in this league. i guess the front office agreed.

[YardRat]

Nice. Instant upgrade over Ellison, and we don't have to break the bank. Good job by the front office.

[gr8slayer]

Funny part is that I've been saying all year that Ellison and DiGorgio are not starters in this league. i guess the front office agreed.
Wow you really went out on a limb with that statement. Don't flatter yourself short bus.

[patmoran2006]

Nice. Instant upgrade over Ellison, and we don't have to break the bank. Good job by the front office.
Dont know that yet.. He left a SB team for Buffalo, Im sure he didnt come cheap.

[Philagape]

Very nice signing. I just talked to a big Giants fan, and he said Mitchell was a solid B+ linebacker. Solid against the run (the Giants were a top-10 run D), good blitzer, not so strong in pass coverage. He got better as the year went along, was pretty good in the playoffs. He's very durable -- he's missed one game in four years. And he has a ring. My friend he's sad to see him go. Very nice. :up:

[gr8slayer]

Very nice signing. I just talked to a big Giants fan, and he said Mitchell was a solid B+ linebacker. Solid against the run (the Giants were a top-10 run D), good blitzer, not so strong in pass coverage. He got better as the year went along, was pretty good in the playoffs. He's very durable -- he's missed one game in four years. And he has a ring. My friend he's sad to see him go. Very nice. :up:
NFL Radio said that losing him is going to hurt them a lot.

[BlackMetalNinja]

Definitely happy with this signing... No, he's not Briggs, but the price tags are a lot further apart than the talent is on these two. Much better value here and leaves us more money to continue the work that needs to be done. A little depth in the defensive backfield and an impact DT and I like our defense quite a lot.

[Meathead]

nice poll

[Philagape]

From my friend who is a giants fan and watches every game:
"He was nasty before:
A: They moved him from DE to LB
and
B: Before he got hurt
"
I dont see anywhere that he ever played DE - I think my friend has the wrong guy...

that sounds like Kiwanuka

[ddaryl]

from 2 bills drive forum... but the link ot the article that was supposed to have this info does not confirm it. But a few mentioned hearing it


The Buffalo Bills signed free-agent linebacker Kawika Mitchell to a five-year, $17.5 million contract that includes $5 million worth of guaranteed money. Mitchell started all 16 games last season for the Giants and had a sack in their Super Bowl victory over the Patriots. --Adam Schefterp



In the latest version of the nfl.com round-up, that Schefter item about the contract details is mysteriously missing. And apparently he said the same thing on the radio. Perhaps it was a little premature, but we will soon know I would imagine. I hope not. They still have the Mitchell signing story there.


just passing on the info please take with grain of pepper<!--IBF.ATTACHMENT_1297031-->
<!--QuoteEnd-->

[Philagape]

That wouldn't be a bad deal at all

[patmoran2006]

If that is the actual deal, that's a very fair contract and I dont think we overpaid much if at all.

[Ed]

Nice signing. We need some leadership on our defense and Poz will be able to learn a lot from him, so Im happy with this.

Whens the last time we had a super bowl winner on our team?
Probably London Fletcher and Sam Adams.

[raphael120]

<hr> Bills | K. Mitchell contract update
Fri, 29 Feb 2008 09:54:44 -0800
Updating a previous item, Adam Schefter, of the NFL (http://www.kffl.com/team/77/nfl) Network, reports the Buffalo Bills (http://www.kffl.com/team/9/nfl) signed free-agent LB Kawika Mitchell (http://www.kffl.com/player/6094/nfl) (Giants) to a five-year, $17.5 million deal

http://www.kffl.com/hotw/nfl

[hydro]

nice poll

Nobody conducts a poll like you MH! Remember that!

[ddaryl]

If that is the actual deal, that's a very fair contract and I dont think we overpaid much if at all.

I would say that a heluva a value. We paid London Fletcher 17 mil how many years ago...

this if anything screams value and moves Ellison back to a backup.

[TigerJ]

Funny part is that I've been saying all year that Ellison and DiGorgio are not starters in this league. i guess the front office agreed.
Digiorgio was starting because Poz was injured. He's a good backup, but the Bills intended to start Poz for a reason. Ellison was a pleasant surprise in his rookie season, but this past season showed everyone he had limited upside. There may not have been too many that complained about Ellison early on, for what that's worth to you, but then the Bills weren't in a position to do anything about it in the thick of the season. I personally don't tend to complain much about things I can't change until the appropriate time to start thinking about changing it.

[Bert102176]

Could you be a little more specific?



ok well the giants are my second favorite team anyone that knows me on here knows that and I have watched him play and all year the giants have wanted to upgrade over him

[hydro]

ok well the giants are my second favorite team anyone that knows me on here knows that and I have watched him play and all year the giants have wanted to upgrade over him

Well at least he went to you first favorite team. Right?

[Meathead]

Nobody conducts a poll like you MH! Remember that!
:rockout:

[Nighthawk]

I think the Bills signed him so that he couldn't intercept Edwards anymore and return it for a touchdown.

[Mad Bomber]

Good OLB....

How much are we paying him???????

[njsue]

:snicker: Marsha Brady's worst nightmare just became a permanent fixture in the AFC East Buffalo Bills.