Jayme Mitchell is No Longer a Starting Defensive End

by Chris Pokorny on Nov 21, 2011 3:47 PM EST

Two weeks ago, backup defensive end Emmanuel Stephens somewhat surprisingly replaced starter Jayme Mitchell at defensive end. At the time, reports indicated that Mitchell was nursing an injury. Last week, Pat Shurmur indidcated that Mitchell's health was better and that he may be back in the lineup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

On gameday, Stephens was still in the lineup. When asked about the position Monday morning, Shurmur stated that Stephens would remain the starter moving forward, even though Mitchell is healthy.

"Coaches' choice," Shurmur said. "We felt like (Stephens) played well the week before, and we felt like he warranted being the starter." When asked if there was an issue with Mitchell's performance against the run, Shurmur said, "Nope. No issue. Coaches' choice."

Stephens finished the game with 4 tackles and 1 quarterback hit. Mitchell finished the game with 1 tackle, but also had a quarterback hit of his own. While I think Mitchell had quieted down in recent games, he did have 7 tackles for a loss, 4 quarterback hits, and 1.5 sacks on the season. He was noted as being the team's best pass rusher by general manager Tom Heckert in 2010, despite not seeing the field. He swapped sides with rookie defensive end Jabaal Sheard back in Week 1. My guess is that Stephens "promotion" must have something to do with how he is defending against the run.

Interestingly enough, the Browns originally had two players on the depth chart who might have been ahead of Stephens. One of those guys was Marcus Benard, who is out for the year after a motorcycle accident. The other guy is Austin English, Benard's replacement, who has been inactive for several weeks now after sustaining an injury shortly after his promotion.

What are your thoughts on Stephens replacing Mitchell in the starting rotation?

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these are my thoughts on Stephens replacing Mitchell…

by The Licensed Pessimist on Nov 21, 2011 4:16 PM EST reply actions

What is that thing on his arm?

by Roger Dorn on Nov 21, 2011 5:33 PM EST up reply actions

That would be a fraternity brand (as in cattle brand)

by HenryDawg on Nov 21, 2011 5:41 PM EST up reply actions

Holy crap are you saying you approve of someone on this team?

by HenryDawg on Nov 21, 2011 5:42 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs

Is this Robert Quinn? How’s he been this year?

"That’s the reality of it and I live in that reality." Shurmur

by LocalMan on Nov 21, 2011 6:01 PM EST up reply actions

It’s Quintin Couples. As in the Browns are going to draft Quinton Couples because we have no talent at right end. I think that’s what he’s saying.

by C.b.I on Nov 21, 2011 6:07 PM EST up reply actions

Yes agree. And I would not be upset if that happened 1 bit. Coples (not Couples) , a RT and a WR would be a great first 3 picks for us.

by -bobby- on Nov 21, 2011 8:59 PM EST up reply actions

RT RT RT RT RT RT RT

Although I do like the kid from south carolina Melvin Ingram

F150 paid for

by Suppa Bob on Nov 22, 2011 12:15 AM EST up reply actions

depth! are we actually starting to gather some depth?

by athensdawg on Nov 21, 2011 4:52 PM EST reply actions

Unfortunately I don’t think so.

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by rufio on Nov 22, 2011 2:25 AM EST up reply actions

bummer

by athensdawg on Nov 22, 2011 9:04 AM EST up reply actions

Early in the year – Mitchell really looked good. But heck, if this guy worked his tail off and passed him up – congrats and keep up the good work. My hunch is that Mitchell is not 100% healthy,.

Change isn't good or bad it just "is". Don Draper of Madmen

by realmccoy on Nov 21, 2011 5:07 PM EST reply actions

Mitchell had one good game, in my opinion and has been forgettable otherwise.

by Roger Dorn on Nov 21, 2011 5:34 PM EST up reply actions

Agree. He has most certainly been a weak link in a rather young DL. Sheard and Taylor have played like rooks a few times, but they consistently make more plays then Mitchell.

by -bobby- on Nov 21, 2011 9:00 PM EST up reply actions

Mitchell, forgettable? No way, he’s the greatest pass rusher to never play ever ever?

Mangini apologist by default.

I’m speaking about his innate accuracy, not how well that innate accuracy is translating on the field.

by Villeslgr on Nov 22, 2011 1:18 AM EST up reply actions

Surely something is wrong here. Don’t they know he is the best talent on this team?!

Dawgs By Nature - Where winning, apparently, did some bad things.

by Simmsinns on Nov 21, 2011 5:26 PM EST reply actions 3 recs

Does that mean we have TWO pro bowlers competing for the same starting position?

Even Doug Dieken admits Joe Thomas is the real #73

by Doc's Kid on Nov 21, 2011 5:34 PM EST up reply actions

I didn’t see Mitchell that much but he seemed awfully slow. I’ve seen both Rubin and Taylor run faster then he could or would to make a down-field tackle.

by HenryDawg on Nov 21, 2011 5:44 PM EST reply actions

I agree. All three of our other starting D-linemen move faster than Mitchell, or at least seem to. I’m still impressed by how quickly Taylor moves for such a big guy. He stayed up in Gabbert’s face on a crucial third down last game.

by Off-the-Chain on Nov 21, 2011 7:42 PM EST up reply actions

FIRE SHURMUR!!!!!

In all honesty, as the resident Mitchell fan, I’m okay with this move. Mitchell was really good against the run earlier this season but hasn’t been very good as of late. Still a good rotational defensive end.

And a hall of famer.

by Bernie19Kosar on Nov 21, 2011 8:29 PM EST reply actions

I dont mind Mitchell as a back-up, but I dont think he starts on a quality D.

by -bobby- on Nov 21, 2011 9:01 PM EST up reply actions

Rotation is good.

Still can’t believe we now have 5 plausible DL (and Schaefering?)

....just need a guy called Byner to play RT...

by LondonBrown on Nov 21, 2011 9:56 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah. Schaefering has shown up on a few plays when he has rotated in as well.

"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened."
— Winston S. Churchill
I have the best wife - ever.

by JustBob on Nov 22, 2011 12:45 AM EST up reply actions

if you ask me, i think english should have gotten the job from the word go. in pre-season he seemed to be one guy who just went out and gave his all on every play. i didnt see much out of mitchell that peaked my interest. too bad english got hurt, i think our defense would be helped out a lot with him.

Lifes A Dance, You Learn As You Go!

by findlaybrownslover on Nov 22, 2011 12:57 AM EST up reply actions

I think English was great at rushing the pass against third stringers. I’m not sure how he would have been in a game situation and he never seemed to play the run all that well.

Also, I hate to be that guy, but it’s “piqued.”

"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway

by notthatnoise on Nov 22, 2011 9:44 AM EST up reply actions