DB dilemma _ to launch or not to launch
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Saturday, August 7th, 2010 at 2:30 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Note: Updates from the afternoon session can be found on my Twitter page. The Raiders will have a single practice session Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
Johnnie Lee Higgins served as the illustration, but the first person who sprung to mind in the “launching’’ portion of the NFL video on rule changes and points of emphasis was Mike Mitchell.
“Launching,’’ defined as a defender leaving his feet to strike an offensive player anywhere near the head or neck, is now a 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness, as well as FedEx notice of a fine for the offender.
One of the first images of the video showed to players and media was that of Higgins getting decked by Pittsburgh’s Ryan Mundy last Dec. 6.
“You mean the one where he knocked my head off?,’’ Higgins said of his starring role. “That’s not the way you want to make a highlight film.’’
Players are now being coached to keep their feet and run through a hit, rather than leave their feet with a Jack Tatum-style kill shot.
That’s an issue for Mitchell, who became a bit of a Youtube sensation following his selection for the Raiders for exactly those kinds of hits.
“He’s going to have a lot of fines,’’ free safety Michael Huff said. “I feel bad for him. It’s going to hurt his wallet. I’m not going to help him, either.’’
Huff was talking in jest, but Mitchell, while promising to do his best to adhere to the rule, seemed resigned to being an offender at some point.
“You’ve got to adjust. It’s tough. Do they want us to play flag football or tackle football?,’’ Mitchell said. “They’re trying to protect the players and I understand that. We’re not trying to hurt anybody, but some guys are explosive, and how we tackle is to leave our feet. We’ll have to change and bide by the rules.’’
The Raiders coaching staff is selling the idea that by running through plays instead of leaving their feet, it will actually improve the tackling skills.
“Don’t leave your feet going for the big (hit), just get ‘em on the ground,’’ Mitchell said.
“Launching’’ remains legal so long as players stray from the head and neck area, but the game often happens too fast to make a distinction.
“I mean, if a guy’s going up for the ball and you’re going to try and split him, you can’t stop and think, `Oh, I can’t hit him in the head or neck,’ ‘’ Mitchell said. “If I get fined, I get fined. That’s just the way it’s going to have to be.’’
Mitchell had one other thought.
“Maybe the Raider fans can get a fine fund set up for me to help pay that thing,’’ Mitchell said.
More news and notes from Saturday’s morning practice:
—A morning session that began in silence ended with a spirited goal line session that included brief but wild scuffle between linebacker Quinton Groves and defensive end-turned-occasoinal fullback Alex Daniels.
It included Groves going UFC on Daniels with a leg kick. Daniels also got under the skin of Trevor Scott during a full contact period the previous day.
“He chopped me a few times. It’s cool. It doesn’t matter. I’m a big boy,’’ Daniels said. “It was a scuffle and that was it and then that was it,’’ Daniels said. “We shook hands, hugged, talked in the locker room.’’
Said Groves: “I’m not going be a pushover. He’s an undrafted free agent trying to make the team, I’m a traded guy trying to make the roster. Either I’m going to eat or you’re going to eat. One of us has to win.’’
Cable wasn’t happy with Groves’ kicking, citing it as an example of behavior which would be cause for ejection in a game.
“Growing up in the streets of Mississippi, that’s what you do,’’ Groves said. “By any means necessary, you get the job done.’’
– If the Raiders proceed as Groves thinks they will, it will be the most multiple defense since the team returned to Oakland.
“If you look at our backers and our corps, we have three guys over 265, the rest are like 245, 250, that’s kind of big for a linebacker in the NFL,’’ Groves said. “So, one moment you might see us in a 3-4, the next you could see us in a 4-3, the next one you could see us in the 5-2, maybe even the 4-6. We just have to tune in the game plan and that keeps teams on edge.’’
– Marcel Reece returned to practice after being out with a sore foot and on one play with the offense backed up near the goal line caught a swing pass to the left, got around Groves and sprinted down the sideline against a slow-to-pursue defense.
“That’s going for six,’’ Reece said. “We’re dancing in the end zone on that one, everybody’s jumping in the black hole, the whole nine (yards).’’
– Stevie Brown, the second of two seventh-round picks, made his second interception in two days and has shown a knack for being around the ball as a safety.
Brown made his Saturday interception with a diving grab of a pass deflected by Walter McFadden while defending Yamon Figurs.
“I looked at (Kyle) Boller, he was looking at the one receiver side and I just turned and ran and as I was running I knew I wouldn’t be able to make an actual play on the ball,so I was just hoping that Walt would make a tip and break it up,’’ Brown said.
– Quarterback Bruce Gradkowski was out with a groin strain and Charlie Frye missed his second straight practice with a right wrist injury, leaving all the snaps to Jason Campbell and Boller.
Cable said he didn’t think either of the injuries was serious. If either looks to be more longterm, he said the Raiders would look in to adding another quarterback.
– Aside from the quarterbacks, those who didn’t practice Saturday included DT Richard Seymour (back spasms), LG Robert Gallery (ankle), WR Jacoby Ford (quad), WR Jonathan Holland (ankle) and FB Luke Lawton (concussion). Darren McFadden didn’t complete practice because of a tight hamstring. Hiram Eugene missed practice because of a dental emergency.
Cable said he expected Gallery back at the afternoon session.
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August 7th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Tatum very rarely left his feet and still ran through the player. Watching Mitchells YTube Video he does not leave his feet much either.
This rule was put in place to stop a player from launching and driving into the head and neck area. Has nothing to do with staying on your feet and driving your shoulder into a man chest.
August 7th, 2010 at 2:54 pm
“I mean, if a guy’s going up for the ball and you’re going to try and split him, you can’t stop and think, `Oh, I can’t hit him in the head or neck,’ ‘’ Mitchell said. “If I get fined, I get fined. That’s just the way it’s going to have to be.’’
Mitchell had one other thought.
“Maybe the Raider fans can get a fine fund set up for me to help pay that thing,’’ Mitchell said.
MM is the MAN!!!
August 7th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
Go Raiders!!!
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-raiders-groves
August 7th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
‘Sup everybody?
Snnyjcbs,
I agree. I’ve watched MM34’s Video numerous times. I don’t see him doing any headhunting. He just has a knack for hard hits and driving through ballcarriers. It’s a skill and Mitchell just has it.
In that NFL Crunch Course video I’ve mentioned before, and should be must-see for any football fan, former coach Dan Reeves says in an annoying drawl: “You can coach a player to be a good tackler, but you can’t teach em to be a big hitter. That’s just something they’re born with”. Bill Parcells chimes in with:”The old saying is, if they don’t bite when they’re puppies, they’re usually not gonna bite”.
Mike Mitchell was born with the ability and the will to be a big hitter. But not nesc. a headhunter.
August 7th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
The Steeler defenders are the dirtiest in football. They lead with their helmets. They should have been suspended numerous times last season.
August 7th, 2010 at 3:17 pm
Also heard on ESPN that a new rule will call the play dead if ANY player loses his helmet during a play.
So those plays when an O-lineman has his helmet knocked off while blocking, they will just call the play dead.
Sounds retarded to me.
August 7th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
Jerry, you’re the f’in best. Even bloggers from other teams grudgingly give props.
August 7th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
Not that I wouldn’t mind seeing him sending a few helmets flying ala the Late, Great Assassin.
Somebody asked Jerry in his last chat how Mitchell was looking in camp so far. Jerry’s response…like he wants to unload on somebody…gotta love it.
August 7th, 2010 at 3:19 pm
Tatum only left his feet when he had to, most of his kill shots were him lowering his shoulder. Then he had full power.
August 7th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Vegas,
I know they have player safety in mind, but still I think they are going overboard. Pretty soon it will be flag football.
I saw on NFLN they’ve expanded the rule on hitting a “defenseless” player. It used to be just receivers, now it’s everybody. What does that mean? Does that include those open field blinside blocks, where dudes don’t see it coming and get their clocks cleaned? I wanna see more on that and see what it entails.
August 7th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
Start a fund for Mitchell’s fines!!!
August 7th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
Count me in O.
August 7th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
Yeah….those great blind-side blocks are awesome to watch, and other than the one time Sapp did it, most of the guys are fine, after the phone stops ringing.
August 7th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
Roger Goodell’s pussifacation of the NFL continues..
Hey Mike, if Goodell dings you after you knock someone the F out, I’ll chip in…
August 7th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
Maybe they’re trying to eliminate the type of play that sent Kurt Warner into retirement. But, Hell that’s just good hard-nosed football.
Keep your head on a swivel, they say.
August 7th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
The players don’t like it, the fans don’t like it.
Pretty soon my daughter’s roller derby team is going to be able to hit harder than NFL players.
Goodell just needs to go away, or maybe take over the Lingerie Football League or something.
August 7th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
Dumb rule, almost as dumb as the tuck rule…
August 7th, 2010 at 5:12 pm
Raiders sign Colt Brennan
August 7th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Colt Brennan will make someone really happy on here. I remember some of you was vouching for him. I wonder if he’ll make it past camp.
August 7th, 2010 at 5:21 pm
Camp arm, unless both Bruce and Frye can’t go, or Boller and Frye stink up the joint.
August 7th, 2010 at 5:24 pm
I was thinking the same thing. Campbell must have vouched for him.
August 7th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
At least Brennan still has potential. I’d rather see him in the mix instead of Boller.
August 7th, 2010 at 5:35 pm
Tim Tebow, Victim of Rookie Hazing, Gets Fantastic Haircut 8:00 PM ET By Ryan Wilson
LenDale White has been in Denver a few days and he’s already making his presence felt. Nobody’s still quite sure what to expect from him on the field, but when it comes to working a camera phone and rookie hazing, well, LenDale’s a Pro Bowler.
His latest masterwork: Tim Tebow’s new haircut courtesy of his veteran Broncos teammates. It’s as if Friar Tuck got a fade and was suddenly fond of the chinstrap beard. Except that Friar Tuck wasn’t nearly as close to God as Tebow. Or as ESPN’s Adam Schefter astutely noted via Twitter: “Think about it this way, @THEREAL_LENDALE: Most people thought T2 wore a halo anyway, and now it’s just official.”
August 7th, 2010 at 5:54 pm
Cmon People!!
Let’s start a fund for Mitchell!!!
We have:
Buckeyeraider
Raider O
August 7th, 2010 at 5:58 pm
I’m on board, in the name of Jack Tatum. This year is to be in honor of the great Jack Tatum.
August 7th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
Young Am,
Yes I agree. Boller played on a very good team and afforded every opps to make it happen. Didnt.
I’d rather we try with Brennan than Boller. Although I am cautioned that if Ratface can’t use you as a QB, then something must be not right.
August 7th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
priesttj Says:
August 7th, 2010 at 5:58 pm
I’m on board, in the name of Jack Tatum. This year is to be in honor of the great Jack Tatum.
++++++++
Agreed…That said we will win the West…
August 7th, 2010 at 6:13 pm
btw, I was referrign to Ravens and not Rams for Boller.
August 7th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
raider o, count me in…
August 7th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
BHP,
We need to do something to honor Tatum. Retire his #!!!!
August 7th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
We have:
Buckeyeraider
BHP
R8
Raider O
Cmon guys!! I will pay good money to see Mitchell hit people!!
Mitchell (hit like Tatum) Fund!!
August 7th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
# Just Fire Baby Says:
August 7th, 2010 at 3:17 pm
Also heard on ESPN that a new rule will call the play dead if ANY player loses his helmet during a play.
So those plays when an O-lineman has his helmet knocked off while blocking, they will just call the play dead.
Sounds retarded to me.
================================
any player?
You sure?
I read that it was just the ball carrier, RB, WR, or whoever..if you’re carrying the ball, and the carriers helmet comes off the ball is spotted where the helmet came off.
If you’re a lineman, and helmet comes off, it’s up to you if you want to put yourself at risk..but when you’re carrying the ball, helmet off, and not down? You’re a target, and in the play, like it or not.
August 7th, 2010 at 6:39 pm
vegas, you miss putting wagers on sports?
August 7th, 2010 at 6:41 pm
I heard Mr Davis put Mr Tatum away in Grand Silver & Black style with a feast and tribute for former players after the service Thursday.
August 7th, 2010 at 6:45 pm
Raider O,how are ya? Could be a 9-7or better year, if healthy.As far as a MM fund for hits,who will over see the money, which bank,etc? And how many game ejections would the NFL allow? Whatever,looking forward to Dallas,see how the kids look! ps gilbert says Raiders!!!!!!!!!!
August 7th, 2010 at 6:47 pm
I’m hitting up the Raiders-Bears preseason game in Chicago on the 21st. Hopefully I get to see McClain and Houston dismantle Cutler, if only for a quarter or two.
August 7th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
There are a few Raiders that have a special place in my heart:
1- Tatum ( you will always be #1) RIP.
2- Atkinson ( I love that guy) he still calls LS Soft!!
3- The Snake
4- Lester Hayes
5- Fred B
August 7th, 2010 at 6:50 pm
Colt Brennan signed by the Raiders. My dream has come true.
Straight from my mouth to Al’s ears!
August 7th, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Hendu,
I’m great, and how are you?
As for the fund, I want to see if we have enough support for such a fund 1st, and then will continue working on it. I hope someone can take charge of the idea and the account details.
I like the talent we have, most of the coaches, so I too have high expectations.
RAIDERS!!!!!!!!!
August 7th, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Raider O,Tatum,George,Kenny,Lester,Clem Daniels,Dixon,and ALL the rest!!! Raiders!!!!!
August 7th, 2010 at 6:55 pm
We have a good mix of talent on the team. I would add a FB, C, and a vet WR!!
Great year!! Top 12 Defense!!
August 7th, 2010 at 6:56 pm
Raider O Says:
August 7th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
We have:
Buckeyeraider
BHP
R8
Raider O
Cmon guys!! I will pay good money to see Mitchell hit people!!
Mitchell (hit like Tatum) Fund!!
************************************
I’m down with the MM fund!
August 7th, 2010 at 6:57 pm
I don’t know why Luke Lawton is still on the roster.
August 7th, 2010 at 6:58 pm
Evenin O, Thec, KK, Aig, Richochet, BHP, NATION!
August 7th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Hendu,
Tatum & Atkinson are in a diff class!! Nasty head hunters who played great together!! Tatum was/ is a Buckeye!!!!! That’s why he is #1!!!!
RIP Tatum!!!!
Raiders!!!!!!
August 7th, 2010 at 7:02 pm
What’s up Raccoon?
The fund is starting to look better by the min.
The Mitchell (Hit Like Tatum Fund):
Buckeyeraider
BHP
R8
Raccoon
Should I add you Hendu?
August 7th, 2010 at 7:03 pm
The Mitchell (Hit Like Tatum) Fund*
August 7th, 2010 at 7:10 pm
Raider O,as they say,Does a Bear Sh-t in the Woods? Im In,lets cover the kid! Raiders!!
August 7th, 2010 at 7:12 pm
Jerry,
Tell Mike Mitchell that The Nation will start a fund for him so that he can hit player without the NFL hitting his pockets. Tell him the Nation appreciates Big & Nasty hits, and it will be a great remider of the Great Tatum and our tradition.
We are going to call it The Mitchell (Hit Like Tatum) Fund.
August 7th, 2010 at 7:14 pm
LMAO Hendu!!! Raiders!!!!!!
The Mitchell (Hit Like Tatum) Fund:
Buckeyeraider
BHP
R8
Raccoon
Hendu
Raider O
August 7th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
Jerry,
We also calling it (Hit Like Tatum) to honor Tatum, his famly, and our tradition.
RIP Tatum!
August 7th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
Raiders roster move for Brennan ‘in progress’ . . . they’ll announce tomorrow. Not sure exactly how Brennan was in uniform if not completed.
about 1 hour ago
**********************************
Curious how this goes down.
Unless Bruce’s groin is really jacked up, I think that they will cut Frye, and if he gets no offers bring him back as some type of quality control coach.
August 7th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
Raider O,great idea, but MAYBE the Raiders would help out?
August 7th, 2010 at 7:23 pm
#1 Snnyjcbs Says:
August 7th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Tatum very rarely left his feet and still ran through the player. Watching Mitchells YTube Video he does not leave his feet much either.
This rule was put in place to stop a player from launching and driving into the head and neck area. Has nothing to do with staying on your feet and driving your shoulder into a man chest.
__________________________________________________
i agree
i think they are referring more to a type of tackle like that of the JAX Jags Donavon Darius hit on the GB Packers WR R. Ferguson back in 04-05 where he completely beheaded him by launching himself and clotheslined his neck.. he took off the ground like a torpedo!
August 7th, 2010 at 7:25 pm
Not to mention he knocked out Ferguson for the rest of the year.. probably slightly ruining his career..
August 7th, 2010 at 7:44 pm
We should see if the Raiders would match what the fans donated to the fund!
YA – I’m trying to make it to the same game….. Going with a bunch of Bears fans though.
August 7th, 2010 at 8:16 pm
Richochet,
From the way I heard ESPN radio talking about it on Friday, any play will be called dead once a player’s helmet is removed. Even defenders.
Guess we will have to wait and see. They could have been giving out bad info.
August 7th, 2010 at 8:20 pm
Can’t imagine us keeping 5 QB’s for very long, maybe for another week to see how Brennan and company look in Dallas.
If they just needed a camp arm for practice, they could have just brought back Jeff Otis. Colt will get a look, maybe not a great one, but a look.
August 7th, 2010 at 8:24 pm
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
August 7th, 2010 at 8:32 pm
Hendu,
You never know!
Raiders!!!!!
August 7th, 2010 at 8:34 pm
On the QBs, I think Boller is cut.
That leaves one of Frye/Gradkowski/Brennan to be cut.
August 7th, 2010 at 8:39 pm
Good Luck to Tom Cable as he now has 4 preseason games to split snaps for Jason Campbell, Bruce Gradkowski, Charlie Frye, Kyle Boller & Colt Brennan.
August 7th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
Tommy Kelly at NT lol…..what a joke! People did we not see this horrible debacle in 2006? Guy is a 3 tech DT. It is sad the Raiders continue to put people in spots they dont belong. Kelly will not effectively take on the LG and C and plug shyt up. Wont happen and if Henderson isnt out there on 1st and 2nd down you people wont see the defense reach its max potential
August 8th, 2010 at 12:58 am
Shoot I am all for MM hitting, but not if it costs us 15 yards a pop. F that! We are not those Raider teams of the 70’s where are talent was so much better then other teams, those penalties will cost us games. Keep your head, would you rather win or have a few pops worthy of you tube? I’d rather win because that is all that counts.
August 8th, 2010 at 7:39 am
#6, #57, I am almost certain the rule reads that the play is stopped if the “ball carrier” loses his helmet, not anybody of the field.
August 9th, 2010 at 9:03 am
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August 10th, 2010 at 12:29 am
.I have many jerseys ,and all of them are got on jersey-boys They are really good !