End of an Era: Kawika Mitchell
10/01/2010 | Posted by
Devin
In the 2010 NFL season, better known to Bills fans as Operation Bottom Out, the Bills released another veteran player who never really amounted to much in Buffalo. Just days after releasing Captain Checkdown, the Bills also reached an injury settlement with Kawika Mitchell, who at the time was on injured reserve.
I think Mitchell’s signing in Buffalo can be traced back to December 23, 2007. On this day, the New York Giants made a trip to Ralph Wilson Stadium to face the Bills. I remember that game and thought it was just another meaningless game (it was). I also never thought the Giants had a shot at going anywhere in the playoffs that season, let alone winning the Super Bowl. The Bills were ahead in the fourth quarter until in typical Trent Edwards fashion, he threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown. The man who made the play? Kawika Mitchell.
Fast forward to the next season when Mitchell is on the Bills. The Bills started out 5-1 that season and were
led by Mitchell, who made a couple of big plays including a game ending interception against the Chargers. From that point on....nothing.
Mitchell literally did nothing. He would play in 15 more games for the Bills, amassing two sacks and one interception. Like usual for the Bills, it wasn’t money well spent.
Mitchell went on IR last season and was poised for a return this year. Then he got injured right before the season started and the Bills put him on injured reserve again. At first glance, this reeked of a typical Bills move and I felt bad for Mitchell. But then I read, via his Twitter, that it was a 12 week injury. At that point, I figured the Bills were well within their rights to put him on injured reserve. It’s not like he was going to come back and make an impact in the final five games of the season.
For whatever reason, Mitchell asked for his release today and the Bills promptly obliged with an injury settlement that set him free. Be careful what you wish for. He’s still hurt and I don’t think there will be teams knocking down his door for his services. Or at least I wouldn’t be if I were a GM.
Another thing to consider if you’re a GM. This is a player who twice ripped the organization he worked for on his Twitter site. Last year he ripped the Bills to shreds for picking up Richie Incognito off waivers. You know, never mind the fact that the Bills were decimated at offensive line and he could help the team (something Mitchell wasn’t doing). Then this year he did it again when the Bills released Trent Edwards.
Overall I like the move for the Bills. They need to get rid of the higher priced veterans and make way for the younger players. You don’t effectively rebuild and start over by treading water and signing guys like Mitchell. His signing essentially represents everything that was wrong with the Dick Jauron era.
It also gets rid of a tough talker on Twitter that never backed it up on the field. If only they would release Donte Whitner, we would be set.
I think Mitchell’s signing in Buffalo can be traced back to December 23, 2007. On this day, the New York Giants made a trip to Ralph Wilson Stadium to face the Bills. I remember that game and thought it was just another meaningless game (it was). I also never thought the Giants had a shot at going anywhere in the playoffs that season, let alone winning the Super Bowl. The Bills were ahead in the fourth quarter until in typical Trent Edwards fashion, he threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown. The man who made the play? Kawika Mitchell.
Fast forward to the next season when Mitchell is on the Bills. The Bills started out 5-1 that season and were
led by Mitchell, who made a couple of big plays including a game ending interception against the Chargers. From that point on....nothing. Mitchell literally did nothing. He would play in 15 more games for the Bills, amassing two sacks and one interception. Like usual for the Bills, it wasn’t money well spent.
Mitchell went on IR last season and was poised for a return this year. Then he got injured right before the season started and the Bills put him on injured reserve again. At first glance, this reeked of a typical Bills move and I felt bad for Mitchell. But then I read, via his Twitter, that it was a 12 week injury. At that point, I figured the Bills were well within their rights to put him on injured reserve. It’s not like he was going to come back and make an impact in the final five games of the season.
For whatever reason, Mitchell asked for his release today and the Bills promptly obliged with an injury settlement that set him free. Be careful what you wish for. He’s still hurt and I don’t think there will be teams knocking down his door for his services. Or at least I wouldn’t be if I were a GM.
Another thing to consider if you’re a GM. This is a player who twice ripped the organization he worked for on his Twitter site. Last year he ripped the Bills to shreds for picking up Richie Incognito off waivers. You know, never mind the fact that the Bills were decimated at offensive line and he could help the team (something Mitchell wasn’t doing). Then this year he did it again when the Bills released Trent Edwards.
Overall I like the move for the Bills. They need to get rid of the higher priced veterans and make way for the younger players. You don’t effectively rebuild and start over by treading water and signing guys like Mitchell. His signing essentially represents everything that was wrong with the Dick Jauron era.
It also gets rid of a tough talker on Twitter that never backed it up on the field. If only they would release Donte Whitner, we would be set.
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