Bills LB Mitchell back practicing
June 6, 2010
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP)—Having resumed practicing for the first time sincehurting his knee in October, Buffalo Bills linebacker Kawika Mitchell(notes) considershimself to be both ahead of and behind schedule.
Mitchell’s ahead of schedule because he didn’t figure he’d be back on thefield for another three weeks before taking part in four of five voluntaryminicamp practices this weekend. And yet, the seven-year NFL veteran realizes heand his surgically repaired right knee have plenty of catching up to do giventhe numerous changes the Bills have made this offseason.
For Mitchell, there’s making a good impression upon a new coach in ChanGailey; learning his role in a new 3-4 defensive scheme the Bills intend to usethis season; and being part of a suddenly growing competition for the insidelinebacker job.
“The way I see it, I’m basically in the biggest dogfight I’ve been in mywhole career,” Mitchell said Sunday, after the Bills completed a six-daystretch of practices. “I’ve accepted that. It’s my situation that I’m in.”
Nothing’s a given in Buffalo these days, even for a workhorse performer suchas Mitchell, who’s been a respected leader in his previous two years with theBills, and a regular starter since 2004 in Kansas City, his second NFL season.
Gailey and first-year general manager Buddy Nix have made clear that noone’s job is secure. It’s a message that was re-emphasized to the linebackingcorps on Saturday, when the team agreed to terms to a two-year contract withsixth-year linebacker Reggie Torbor(notes).
“Nobody’s got anything set in concrete at this point,” Gailey said,following Torbor’s addition. “I think he’ll add something to our footballteam.”
With Torbor, who has experience playing both the inside and outsidepositions, the Bills now have 15 linebackers on their roster making it thesecond-most competitive position behind defensive back entering training camp.
Mitchell is considered an inside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme, and iscompeting with Paul Posluszny(notes) for the spot to play alongside Andra Davis(notes), anoffseason free-agent addition, who’s taken over the play-calling duties. Also inthe mix are Torbor, returning players Keith Ellison(notes), Nic Harris(notes) and rookiesixth-round draft pick Arthur Moats(notes).
“Right now, we’ve got six guys in our room” said Mitchell, who’s spend hisentire career primarily playing in a 4-3 defense. “I don’t know if they’ll keepthree or four, but I know there’s going to be some people going.”
Selected by the Chiefs in the second round of the 2003 draft out of SouthFlorida, Mitchell is coming off the first significant injury of his NFL career.He was hurt while being bowled over by two Browns blockers during a 6-3 loss toCleveland in Week 5 last season.
The initial prognosis was for Mitchell to begin practicing during the team’smandatory minicamp in the final week of June, and be ready for the start oftraining camp, which opens July 28. Holding his thumb and forefinger about ahalf-inch apart, Mitchell said he’s very close to being 100 percent, but isstill experiencing some stiffness in his knee.
That didn’t stop him from testing it out this weekend.
“This is my comfort zone, man. This is where I live,” said theever-competitive and intense Mitchell, who sheared off his long hair after beinghurt in order to mark his fresh start. “Just hitting the bags and stuff, itfeels good putting my hands on something.”
NOTES: Torbor was absent from practice and has not yet signed his contract.… Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy was on hand at the end ofpractice, where he was greeted by players and coaches. … The Bills open athree-day voluntary minicamp on Tuesday. … Sunday’s practice was closed to allmedia except for representatives of the team’s website, who were allowed toreport and film most of the 90-minute session.
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