Putting Brown/Mitchell in perspective
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Saturday, September 4th, 2010 at 8:33 pm in Oakland Raiders.
I doubt we’ll ever get the real story of what happened Saturday afternoon when Stevie Brown practiced with the Raiders, talked to the media about making the team, and then found out later he was sadly mistaken.
I’ve already posted the thoughts of Andy Slater, the Florida sport radio talk show host who was tracking the story all day, saying it was Mike Mitchell that the coaches wanted cut.
(Slater’s bio at his radio station says he worked for the Raiders doing film cut-ups. It doesn’t say when. One current longtime Raiders employee and another employee who dated back to the 2000 season said they’d never heard of him).
You can count on Tom Cable saying Sunday that everyone was in agreement, that tough choices had to be made, etc.
Surely it was a big deal to Brown, who could still surface on the practice squad, and Mitchell, who expressed confidence Saturday night he had made the team.
But when it comes down to it, the much bigger story was the ascension of Jared Veldheer, a third-round draft pick out of Division II Hillsdale, to starting center. He’ll have a direct impact on how the Raiders fare in their opening game Sept. 12 against the Tennessee Titans.
Even if Brown had made the roster, there is no guarantee he would be active on game day. He’s played most of the preseason as a single deep safety, while Mitchell, except for a practice or two, has been a strong safety playing closer to the line of scrimmage.
The fact that the Raiders kept Hiram Eugene, who does play the free safety position, means he must have still been listed ahead of Brown.
I’ve already had plenty of correspondence with readers about whatever problems the coaching staff with Mitchell, and my honest answer is I don’t know. He’s a little high strung and high maintenance. He’s usually of a mind, when playing defense, to be overly aggressive and overpursue while looking for the big play and the big hit. But he practices every day and has some real qualities as a physical safety.
Brown is a seventh-round draft pick, Mitchell a second-rounder and neither may ascend to the role of starter.
Nice fodder for cutdown day, though.
Note: Luke Lawton is on the suspended list, not the cut list. He is still property of the Raiders and the club can either activate him after Week 2 or release him.
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September 4th, 2010 at 8:39 pm
Raider NATION…
September 4th, 2010 at 8:40 pm
DON’T COUNT YOUR CHICKENS BEFORE THEY HATCH!!! HAHA
September 4th, 2010 at 8:41 pm
Thanks Jerry, let’s hope Mitchell pans out. As for Veldheer he is a stud. I have no worries when it comes to him.
September 4th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
The fact that the Raiders kept Hiram Eugene, who does play the free safety position, means he must have still been listed ahead of Brown.
***
WOW!
what a bummer for Stevie Brown and Oakland Raider fans …
September 4th, 2010 at 8:49 pm
The next time we have a real football player like Brown, our HC should have him run wind sprints every day until he gets his 40 time up, so Al will keep him. Some hurdling skills wouldn’t hurt, either. And, maybe a couple of appearances in major films.
September 4th, 2010 at 8:52 pm
Al’s still at it! No real GM gets rid of this guy. A team that loses 10 or more games 7 years straight doesn’t let any good player available on the cheap get away. Al sucks and is continuing to keep the Raiders down.
September 4th, 2010 at 8:53 pm
go get Louis Rankin. then dump Yamon Figurs
September 4th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
[...] Mac on "Messiah" Stevie Putting Brown/Mitchell in perspective – Inside the Oakland Raiders – A look inside the world of the … [...]
September 4th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
Why not get rid of Hiram Eugene instead? He sucks. Or get rid of an vastly underwhelming Chris Johnson? I liked Stevie Brown and I thought he was having a great preseason, the same cannot be said of Johnson and Eugene…..
September 4th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
Dump Yamon Figurs, not Stevie Brown.
September 4th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
Thanks, Al.
September 4th, 2010 at 8:57 pm
Thanx for the fix Jerry…
September 4th, 2010 at 8:57 pm
Who really cares… they are back up safeties…
what’s on my mind right now…
stopping the best running back in football.. we’ll see what 55 has week 1!!!!!!!!!!
September 4th, 2010 at 8:58 pm
I’m fine with CJ37. Looks like Routt might be starting anyways
Eugene over Brown? crazy
coaching staff wanted Mitchell axed.
I told you guys that Huff wasn’t going anywhere!
gotta have safeties that can cover …
Hiram Eugene + Sam Williams = scholarships
September 4th, 2010 at 9:03 pm
Ha ha. Here come the shills. I knew I could bring them out.
Who cares? They’re only backup safeties?
Our whole team is comprised of guys who would be backups anywhere else in the league. We need all the good players we can get, and Stevie was on the cheap. No reason to get rid of him, other than Al showing someone up.
September 4th, 2010 at 9:13 pm
post 15, please go back to sleep,Hater! Im sure you will join us at Rickys for the Tenn game, right?Would look forward to it.
September 4th, 2010 at 9:14 pm
You really want me to go there and laugh at you freaks?
September 4th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
# The Real MaddenRaider Says:
September 4th, 2010 at 9:03 pm
Our whole team is comprised of guys who would be backups anywhere else in the league.
________________________________________________________
I’m gonna assume that you meant this statement in the form of a hyperbole.
Zach Miller
Michael Bush
Robert Gallery
Richard Seymour
Nnamdi Asomugha
Shane Lechler
Sebastian Janikowski
These players would all start on any team in this league and all of them have pro bowl potential or have been there already.
As usual you are blowing hot wind out of your gluteus maximus and pretending that it’s a sensible comment.
September 4th, 2010 at 9:16 pm
Hey, I’m kidding. I didn’t mean that. Look man, I’ve had a bad day. I’m not going to bring my bad vibes in here. And I think the Raiders would win a lot of games th is year if Cable takes control of the team. He’s got nothing to lose. Anyhow, see you guys later.
September 4th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
The only thing i don’t like is that they did SB dirty by gassing him up…but the truth is he’s a project… look what happened with Marcel Reece… practice squad and now he’ a starter
HOW DO WE STOP BAD A$$ CJ28… that’s what Raider fans should be worried about!!!!!!
September 4th, 2010 at 9:18 pm
Thanks for the OT, Jerry.
Can I just add: 10-6 this year. Drink it.
September 4th, 2010 at 9:19 pm
He will however draw our ire for bonehead moves. DeAngelo Hall knows what I’m talking about. I think we in Raider Nation understand that a great owner deserves leeway when he (or she) makes mistakes.
After all, Mr. Davis built a great team that was not supposed to exist to eventually win three Super Bowls and appear in five all together. Mr. Davis was also able to rack-up the highest winning percentage in the NFL for over 40 years, and was a trailblazer in equal opportunity hiring. And , he lead the former American Football League before it merged with the NFL.
Like I said, you are the one that’s crazy. Crazy with envy.
September 4th, 2010 at 9:33 pm
Demon Raider Says:
September 4th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
Why not get rid of Hiram Eugene instead? He sucks. Or get rid of an vastly underwhelming Chris Johnson? I liked Stevie Brown and I thought he was having a great preseason, the same cannot be said of Johnson and Eugene…..
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
i thought we were making a commitment to the best 53 players out there!! i am very disapointed to see that we fired a very promising player in s. brown in favor of h. eugene… wow it may not be a big deal to some of you guys but this was the one guy i was really pulling for.. a 7th rd steal is what i saw..a guy that has a knack for being around the ball and the ability to make some positive plays out there… i dont think he will be coming back — he will get picked up by another team within hrs
September 4th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
Eugene over Brown? Fakota may be right about Davis….
September 4th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
post 17,yea,would love to see you at Rickys,lets all have a great time,right? Promise not to yell out Mrs is in the house,er,Mr.Whatever, Bri-n can pick you up, drop you off,at Bart. Raiders!!!! Put the 12th on youre schedule. Will be Fun
September 4th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
i think we’re all just tense. we (you all) dont really meAN to hate on Al. Its rough having losing seasons 7 years in a row, it takes a toll on all of us, we’ve obviously been rebuilding. we’re all here cuz we’re TRUE Raider fans. but midway through the season, when we’re 6-2 leading the division, we’re all gonna b talkin bout how much we love Al. THIS IS OUR YEAR NATION! RAIDERS ALLLLLLLLL DAY!!!!!!!!
September 4th, 2010 at 9:44 pm
well t. howard will be getting back on the field playing man on the other teams TE… WHO knows maybe he can reform back to the cover LB THAT got what 5 or 6 picks back in 06 season??? he may have a nice season in his new role… just concentrating more on his pass def and not really having to worry about stoping the run…
September 4th, 2010 at 9:45 pm
Lane Kiffin on short leash at USC
September 1, 2010 by admin
Filed under Coaching Scoop, Featured
One year from today Lane Kiffin will not be the head coach at Southern California USC. Just call it a hunch. But with Pat Haden as the new sheriff at Heritage Hall, and with his old receiver J.K. McKay (among others) keeping an “eye” on the football program, you have to wonder how long the Boy Wonder is going to put up with the New World Order. Haden has already sent Reggie Bush’s Heisman back and will eventually have to send back the 2004 BCS championship trophy and the Football Writer’s Grantland Rice national championship trophy. Haden has made it clear there will be zero tolerance for shenanigans. Not sure Lane can do zero tolerance. – CBS Sports
September 4th, 2010 at 9:45 pm
eagles cut max jean-giles, and cornelius ingram.
both worth a look. an
and the jets also cut that fb james davis. also worth a look
September 4th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
Cut Nick Miller. Keep Stevie. I think he could have really challenged for a starting Safety position. No way he makes it through Waivers. He is talented and cheap.
September 4th, 2010 at 9:49 pm
the cowgirls will pick up s. brown
September 4th, 2010 at 9:51 pm
Cut Sam WIlliams or Hiram Eugene before Nick Miller
September 4th, 2010 at 9:56 pm
cut both williAMS and eugene!! the goal is to keep the best 53 on the roster and both of these guys are not better than brown or even slade norris for that matter
September 4th, 2010 at 10:14 pm
Does It Smell Anymore?” with Dhani Jones Dhani do the Raiders smell anymore? I Gaurentee 0 Stinkage
September 4th, 2010 at 10:17 pm
new post
September 4th, 2010 at 11:08 pm
#13 totally agree and will add that we should hope that our improved passing game continues into the reg. season.. Whether Brown made the team or not won’t change our record.
September 4th, 2010 at 11:15 pm
Let me get this straight the coaching staff was concerned about Mike Mitchell being overly aggressive?
September 4th, 2010 at 11:15 pm
The reason the staff wanted to cut Mitchell is because he wants to make a tackle and hit somebody with force?
September 4th, 2010 at 11:17 pm
Raiders better be on NFL’s front office line and put Stevie Brown on the practice squad the split moment they are able to on Sunday.
September 4th, 2010 at 11:19 pm
Fu**n STUPID cutting Stevie Brown and keeping freakin Hiram Eugene ahead of him??
UNREAL!!
Dumb old man Al stickin his nose where it shouldn’t be!
September 4th, 2010 at 11:22 pm
Brown always making plays around the ball compared to the other clowns who are always lost out there.
Old dumb man doesn’t know what playmakers are anymore does he?
September 5th, 2010 at 1:33 am
Im so happy another guy on here thought of what I hated last year and thought of louis rankin and stevie brown. Guys like that you have to keep. And to keep all these scrub linemen and a couple wide outs. Al geez theres players out there able to play better and block better than we do. How about the center form pittsburgh and then Veld can move to tackle . Let get that line straight and moving some people. This is a disappointment just as some good things Al brings some bad back. Admit you made a gamble taking mitchell and move on. We Raider fans wanna win and be a proud organization again were the likes of dallas and other teams fear playing the raiders like the gruden days. That s the last time we had team that was pounding and moving people.
September 5th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
Go die, trolls.
September 5th, 2010 at 9:55 pm
[...] wrote a great piece putting it all in perspective. My take? It’s Al’s team. If he wants a player on it, he [...]
September 7th, 2010 at 11:03 am
[...] He has yet to sign the deal. Brown had a strong preseason and he was a surprise cut. Meanwhile, there is a report that Oakland’s coaching staff wanted to cut second-year safety Mike Mitchell in favor of [...]