Earl Mitchell – May 31, 2016
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Defensive Tackle Earl Mitchell
(On if Head Coach Adam Gase knows that he plays fullback) – “I’m pretty sure the word has gotten around. That would be cool. But who knows?”
(On if he knows how Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph wants to use the defensive tackles in terms of rest and rotation) – “It’s difficult to say right now. We’re all getting the feel for everything and seeing how everything is going to turn out. But right now, (we are) just trying to figure out an established rotation. I guess (that’s) what is key. From a practice standpoint, we’re all just trying to get reps in right now. We have a lot of defensive tackles, a lot of defensive linemen in right now (and we’re) just trying to get as many reps (and) just trying to see where everybody’s at.”
(On his thoughts about the new additions to the defensive line) – “We have some older guys here. It makes the competition that much better all around. We have older guys teaching younger guys and we have younger guys pushing the older guys so it’s a really good atmosphere, especially in our room.”
(On what kind of leadership role he has taken this year) – “(I’m) definitely just trying to push the younger guys here. (DT Ndamukong) Suh (and I), we have some younger guys here and we’re doing whatever we can to try to put some knowledge on them and show them how it’s done. And just overall, (we’re) just trying to do it the right way and just lead by example.”
(On DT Jordan Phillips) – “Jordan’s definitely working hard. He wants to step up and do his part. All I can do is just commend him on his work. He’s doing what he can to make this team better and obviously that makes us better. I’m all for it.”
(On if the unit is still upset about last year) – “We’re not focused on that. We’re moving forward. I think all of the guys here (are) really excited about what we can be. Obviously we have the talent there, but you just have to figure it out and just make sure everybody’s on the same page.”
(On if he has communicated with DE Dion Jordan recently) – “I haven’t had too many words with him. I just hope he’s doing well. That’s my message to get to him. Hopefully everything works out with him in a positive aspect. That’s pretty much all I have to say about him.”
(On if it would be alright if DE Dion Jordan returned to the locker room) – “Definitely. There’s no hard feelings. All you can do is just wish positive for another man.”
(On if being a starter makes a difference to him at this point in his career) – “Obviously, it’s a competition. Whenever there’s a competition, you feel like you want to win. You never want to just look at it like that. That’s the worst thing you can do. Whatever I can do to push him, whatever he can do to push me, we’re both welcoming that atmosphere. I really think it’s a positive thing, at the end of the day, just pushing one another. We’re getting better, we’re communicating, we’re talking and when you’re on the field, you’re going to be on the field with each other. It’s not like there’s not a chance that me and him aren’t going to be on the field together at one point. But it makes it better – the competition.”
(On DE Mario Williams) – “Obviously he brings another veteran presence. He’s a great pass rusher, a great player and he has a lot of knowledge of the game. It’s really good for the locker room too. They get to see him being a veteran. He’s coming (in and) working hard every day and all (of) the young guys get to see what it’s like to play at a high level and practice and come in and do the stuff that’s necessary to be productive.”
(On DE Cameron Wake) – “I see a guy that’s doing everything he can to just make this team better. He’s still working (on rehab), but he’s working with the guys. He’s coming in during the workouts. You really wouldn’t be able to tell (that he is coming off a serious injury). I think he’s doing okay.”
(On the depth at defensive tackle) – “We have some guys that you have film on them, you can see their body of work and I think we have a good nucleus of guys, especially inside. I’m excited about the guys we have.”
(On departures in free agency such as RB Lamar Miller, DE Olivier Vernon and CB Brent Grimes and if he wonders how the team will replace those guys) – “This league is all about competition and you have to trust those guys upstairs that they can replace those guys. Obviously those are great players and you’re going to miss their contribution. But at the same time you can trust the guys upstairs that they’re going to be able to replace those guys with quality guys. I’m excited about the additions that we have. You never know what the additions (and) their impact can make on this team.”
(On Head Coach Adam Gase talking trash to the team and if he picks sides and talks more to the defense) – “He definitely picks a side. (laughter) It’s all good though. It’s different to have a head coach … it’s like if he gets the best of you one day, he swears he had that planned out. But I can tell (he picks sides), and it’s good. It just makes the atmosphere better. It’s fun.”
(On if he knew it was Head Coach Adam Gase talking trash the first time he heard it) – “It’s actually a couple of them. You have the wide receivers coach, he’s talking trash. He’s taking trash to us and it’s like ‘Who is that?’ You think (they are) players at first. But it’s making us better. I like it. I’m all for it.”
(On if he talks trash back) – “No, that’s not my style. I just play.”
(On what makes him confident that the defensive line will be better than last year) – “It’s hard to tell right now. But what I can say is that we have (Defensive Line Coach Terrell) Williams, we have (Assistant Defensive Line Coach/Pass Rush Specialist Jim) Washburn, who’s helping us out a tremendous amount in comparison to last year. We’re learning a whole lot more early on. And (Defensive Coordinator) Vance (Joseph), he’s pretty adamant about us having this attack-style defense. I just want to commend Coach Washburn. He’s helping us out and teaching us so much. I think that’s going to be big. It’s going to be key for us, just having that communication and just learning everything early on, what they want us to do.”
(On the biggest difference between a Wide 9 defense and what he has been playing his whole life) – “It gives us the opportunity to attack upfield. It turns everything back (inside), especially in the run game. It takes that read away from the inside guys too. You don’t have to read down the line of scrimmage. You can just attack and not necessarily worry about losing your contain on the outside because when you have guys on the outside, it turns everything back inside. It makes it easier for you to attack and not worry about if anything’s going to get on the outside.”
(On the absences of DT Ndamukong Suh and S Reshad Jones during voluntary workouts) – “We’re focused on the guys that are here. They’re doing their thing and everybody knows what they’re capable of. Everybody trusts them around here. I’m not concerned about them. When they are here, it is great because they have so much knowledge they can bestow on all the young guys. It’s always good when they’re around.”
