Kawika Mitchell News...

[Jim Johnson]

For those interested in our former stud LB:

Here is some recent news:

A recap of a day at training camp...

A BATTLE WITH GUN

In a bizarre practice-field occurrence, defensive coordinator Cunningham and middle linebacker Kawika Mitchell engaged in a loud, obscenity filled, in-your-face shouting match early in the afternoon practice.

Cunningham was mad Mitchell didn't make a play, and Mitchell gave as good as he got in the exchange. The episode ended when Cunningham told Mitchell to get out of the huddle. He returned one snap later.

Cunningham relishes such exchanges. While Vermeil's coaching style is much different, he said he appreciates what Cunningham is trying to accomplish.

‘‘He's challenging him,'' Vermeil said. “It will bring the best out of him.''

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/12404860.htm

A recap of the preseason game against Minnesota

There were some individual bright spots. Like linebacker Kawika Mitchell, who stuffed running back Michael Bennett on consecutive plays. Mitchell was one of the most maligned players on the 2004 defense.

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/12376643.htm

For more recent news articles:

http://news.search.yahoo.com/news/search?p=%22Kawika+Mitchell%22&sp=1&ei=UTF-8&fl=0&fr=slv5-&SpellState=n-813442244_q-qXlAilrmsYEevJXydONdCgABAA@@

[mutt]

        :-X      KA - WEEEEEE - KA !!      :-X

[Papa_Bull]

Mitchell In Middle Of Chiefs' Overhaul

By IRA KAUFMANikaufman@tampatrib.com

Published: Aug 19, 2005

RIVER FALLS, Wis. - Like the Bulls he once played for with distinction, Kawika Mitchell faces heightened scrutiny this fall.

The highest draft pick in University of South Florida history finds himself in the spotlight entering his third pro season with the Chiefs. The 6-foot-1, 253-pound middle linebacker figures to start the Sept. 11 opener against the Jets, but fiery defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham is demanding significant improvement.

Mitchell started 12 games last season and finished second on the club with 85 tackles, but he failed to force a turnover on a defense that ranked 31st and consistently undermined one of the NFL's premier offensive units.

"Kawika has missed some tackles, and what happens then is you're worried about missing another one, rather than just playing," Chiefs coach **** Vermeil said. "This morning, he flashed into a couple of plays and I said to myself, 'That's a middle linebacker.' He has to keep seeing what a middle linebacker has to see, and Kawika then has to react properly."

The Chiefs overhauled their defense in the offseason, adding outside linebacker Kendrell Bell and veteran defensive backs Patrick Surtain and Sammy Knight.

Flanked by Bell and heralded rookie linebacker Derrick Johnson, Mitchell is expected to provide some thump, along with substantially better tackling technique.

"I think I've got the mind part of the game down pretty well," Mitchell said. "I've got to make more hits, force more turnovers and spark this defense. Being physical is the key because our expectations are to be a top-five defense."

Mitchell, 25, ranks as USF's single-season and career leader in tackles. He started 39 games for the Bulls after transferring from Georgia following his redshirt freshman season.

"I still talk to Coach Jim Leavitt all the time," Mitchell said. "He's a piece of work. Gunther and him are real similar in a lot of ways. Leavitt's definitely an interesting guy. I call him every week during the season. I leave a message for Coach, talk some trash, tell him to pick it up, you're soft, stuff like that. It's going to be rough for USF, but we'll be a contender eventually."

When Mitchell was a USF senior, Leavitt told NFL scouts that Mitchell would become one of the league's best linebackers.

"There is no ceiling for him," Leavitt said. "I always thought he was very similar to Pro Bowl linebacker Junior Seau when he was with San Diego. He's very determined and focused. Our program wouldn't be where it's at without Kawika. I've coached some great linebackers, and no one is better than Kawika."

With a wife and two young children, Mitchell has settled down off the field. On fall Sundays, he is determined to settle for nothing less than sudden impact.

"This scheme fits my personality and my style of ball," he said. "We're trying to be more aggressive and I think you'll see the difference this year. The game slowed down for me late last season and I'm looking for a big year."

So is Vermeil, who still believes in Kansas City's second-round pick in 2003.

"Kawika has all the physical skills to play middle linebacker," Vermeil said. "In fact, I don't think I've ever had anybody with the same grace and balance at the position. Now it's a matter of seeing, reacting and striking. We've got a lot riding on this young man."

http://bulls.tbo.com/bulls/MGBS79YXJCE.html

[Ricky the Bull]

Snip

"I still talk to Coach Jim Leavitt all the time," Mitchell said. "He's a piece of work. Gunther and him are real similar in a lot of ways. Leavitt's definitely an interesting guy. I call him every week during the season. I leave a message for Coach, talk some trash, tell him to pick it up, you're soft, stuff like that. It's going to be rough for USF, but we'll be a contender eventually."

Snip

I love the "we'll".  Once a Bull, always a Bull!

Best of luck, Kawika!

[E.T.]

Hope he has a monster season ... and MNF for him ?

Go BULLS !!!

[bulls96go]

a transfer that excelled

hope denson and amp hill do as well