D.Mitchell situation

[TecnoGenius]

Wheatfall was just better then Mitchell and White Jr. in TC. Wheatfall came into camp in shape and a good understanding of our system.

But Mitchell was paid lower-top-tier money to come in and be the main guy after Dalton.  He wasn't paid to come and lose out in TC competition.

It shouldn't have mattered how good Wheatie showed -- Wheatie should be the one headed for the PR as depth.

I'm not saying what Mafia is doing is wrong, I'm just saying that's not how it was supposed to be.  If things didn't go according to plan, then that's a fail.

They scouted Mitchell's talent: but did they scout his attitude?

[TecnoGenius]

Mitchell signed for 148,000 and got a 63,000 signing bonus, which in retrospect looks like a big mistake.

Ouch... Pretty sure that's more than we ever paid Darvin Adams, even when he was one of our top RECs.

That $63k may be down the toilet with nothing to show for it.

He did his damage in Edmonton in 2023 with Kenny Walker and Derel Walker, who probably got alot of the attention. His numbers in 2024 were pretty mediocre. Not sure why they opened up the bank for him. I agree his days are numbered unless we suffer receiver injuries or he starts stepping up his play.

That's a great point I never thought of.  A lot of the Mitchell magic (and it did look like magic early on) may have been a mirage.  He was a superb fantasy pick for most of that season, but in '24 was useless.

Well, we can all still hope Pokey comes back around labor day!

[Jesse]

But Mitchell was paid lower-top-tier money to come in and be the main guy after Dalton.  He wasn't paid to come and lose out in TC competition.

It shouldn't have mattered how good Wheatie showed -- Wheatie should be the one headed for the PR as depth.

I'm not saying what Mafia is doing is wrong, I'm just saying that's not how it was supposed to be.  If things didn't go according to plan, then that's a fail.

They scouted Mitchell's talent: but did they scout his attitude?

Team's lose games all the time because they're putting in the guy that "should be" better rather than who is better.

If Wheatfall came in and was straight better than Mitchell and we're putting him on the field rather than the guy who got a bonus, that's the best case scenario.

Now, we seem to know that Mitchell didn't come in as the version we thought we were getting. Which is disappointing, but I love that they're making him earn his way onto the roster rather than wedging him in over guys who deserve it more. It's likely we need everyone over the course of the season, so let him run some sprints and get in shape while Wheatfall takes a year 2 leap.

[BomberFan73]

With Mitchell I wonder if it is his head more than his ability right now. That last article on him, judging by the way he was talking, he seems to be having a hard time fitting in. On a team that is known for FIFO that doesn't bode well.
We'll have to see if he handles this like a pro.

[Blue In BC]

I believe a player on the 6 game can not practice with the team, if healthy who is going to agree to that arrangement?

We know that but someone suggested we put Mitchell on the 6 game IR. It didn't appear that those being placed on IR this week are actually injured except Lofton. Just the way to park extra players at the moment.

I don't know what the problem with Mitchell is but the team needs to resolve it quickly. Either he is getting up to speed or we'll have to eat the bonus I suppose. Not really a point to sit him on IR for an extended period.

Hopefully he gets his act together. All things suggest it's a " between the ears " issue which he can work his way back. OTOH how much time can we give him?

[Waffler]

As far as I am concerned the bonus is gone and let's move on. If he is not going to play he should have been cut after camp. All I've heard from MOS is they like him because of what he showed on film, not what what he has shown here. We have enough talent here that we don't really need him anyway so not sure why they reward him with extra chances. At the end of the day you have to just play him until he does something, either way. Sitting him just feels like procrastination.

As far as playing with Kenny Walker and Derel Walker, we've got Schoen and Demski. Does that not roughly equal out?

[Blue In BC]

As far as I am concerned the bonus is gone and let's move on. If he is not going to play he should have been cut after camp. All I've heard from MOS is they like him because of what he showed on film, not what what he has shown here. We have enough talent here that we don't really need him anyway so not sure why they reward him with extra chances. At the end of the day you have to just play him until he does something, either way. Sitting him just feels like procrastination.

As far as playing with Kenny Walker and Derel Walker, we've got Schoen and Demski. Does that not roughly equal out?

I wouldn't be surprised if a decision is made by next week. That will be based on our game today and his performance / attitude next week in practice.

[The Zipp]

Yah - we haven't even played a game yet..,wheatfall gets a case of the dropsies or runs bad routes resulting in INT's, misses some blocks.. everything changes..

Then of course there are injuries.

[Blue In BC]

Yah - we haven't even played a game yet..,wheatfall gets a case of the dropsies or runs bad routes resulting in INT's, misses some blocks.. everything changes..

Then of course there are injuries.

We do have White on the PR. Other options include re-calling one of the receivers we cut. That said we saw Lawler drop a few he should have caught against the Stamps. Not everything will be written in stone after game one.

[The Zipp]

We do have White on the PR. Other options include re-calling one of the receivers we cut. That said we saw Lawler drop a few he should have caught against the Stamps. Not everything will be written in stone after game one.

not written in stone but at least there will be something beyond a pre-season game...week 1 byes stink.  Wonder what the stats are on week 2 success after having the week 1 bye.

[Pete]

Yah - we haven't even played a game yet..,wheatfall gets a case of the dropsies or runs bad routes resulting in INT's, misses some blocks.. everything changes..

Then of course there are injuries.

Or Wheatfall has a game, Schoen shows old form and Stern provides a good change of pace... Any given Sunday  err Thursday.

[Waffler]

Unfortunate we still don't have our real offense (no Zach). This is why I think that game 2 in BC is the one that matters for receiver decisions. Chemistry with Zach  will go a long way. This one we just have to grind and hope it's a W.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I wouldn't be surprised if a decision is made by next week. That will be based on our game today and his performance / attitude next week in practice.

Really no reason to rush the decision that quickly, Mitchell is not playing so he's not keeping anyone more deserving off the field and the money is spent either way. Injuries or losses could change the lineup or they could decide they're still in the audition phase and give every receiver another look to see how they perform in a real game, see what happens. As long as they sort it out within the first 6 games it's all good,they were quick and efficient getting rid of Adarius Bowman and Chris Matthews when they didn't work out, FIFO may be the deciding factor.

[Blue In BC]

Really no reason to rush the decision that quickly, Mitchell is not playing so he's not keeping anyone more deserving off the field and the money is spent either way. Injuries or losses could change the lineup or they could decide they're still in the audition phase and give every receiver another look to see how they perform in a real game, see what happens. As long as they sort it out within the first 6 games it's all good,they were quick and efficient getting rid of Adarius Bowman and Chris Matthews when they didn't work out, FIFO may be the deciding factor.

I disagree with the 6 game premise. I say 3 weeks tops but still wouldn't be surprised to see a change by game 2 or game 3.

[theaardvark]

But Mitchell was paid lower-top-tier money to come in and be the main guy after Dalton.  He wasn't paid to come and lose out in TC competition.

It shouldn't have mattered how good Wheatie showed -- Wheatie should be the one headed for the PR as depth.

I'm not saying what Mafia is doing is wrong, I'm just saying that's not how it was supposed to be.  If things didn't go according to plan, then that's a fail.

They scouted Mitchell's talent: but did they scout his attitude?

It may have been that the signing bonus went to his head.

AH33 famously came to camp out of shape, and BO20 eventually took his job.  Its not uncommon for players to coast in on thier laurels.

I agree, the team needed to make sure of a players attitude, and should have checked in before committing a large signing bonus.  There was no debating his talent, and the total cost was actually not a bad deal for us, I can see why they signed the bonus.

Keeping him isn't costing a lot, the bonus is sunk money.  The potential payoff for the cost now is worth him hanging around on the IR while he gets in shape, and learns the scheme.

If he's just an injury reserve, because REC's get injured, he may be the best one in the league right now.