Enjoyable though it is to watch Pittsburgh Steelers’ safety Troy Polamalu fly over the center having perfectly timed the snap count, the fact of the matter is that the veteran was in need of some help on the back end of that defense as the off-season took shape.
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The Steelers added that help in the form of safety Mike Mitchell, previously of the Carolina Panthers. Before he signed with the Steelers he was a popular target, with the Denver Broncos, New York Jets, and Philadelphia Eagles all expressing interest in his services.
Ultimately it was Pittsburgh that landed him, only to have to place him on the PUP list at the end of last month with a groin injury. On Monday they activated Mitchell and he participated in his first practice, giving the team their full first real look at their new safety in action.
Alan Robinson and Mark Kaboly of TribLive.com pass along the latest update on Mitchell:
"Steelers safety Mike Mitchell (groin) practiced Monday for the first time since camp began July 25, and he acknowledged it was difficult being patient as his teammates worked daily without him. “They’re all banged up, and I see how sore they are and I want to feel that way, too,” he said."
My favorite thing about the quote is that Mitchell kind of sounds like me when I go jogging after taking a few weeks off from exercise.
According to Pro Football Focus, Mitchell was among the worst safeties in the entire NFL last season, with an overall rank that put him 154th out of 158 qualifying players (subscription required).
Still, Mitchell is coming from a defense that played well last season, so the Steelers will hope that their system presents a good fit for him to succeed.