ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) -Kawika Mitchell sat at his locker, the picture of intimidation.
Fixing visitors with what’s become a familiar wary stare, the Bills linebacker was ripping strips of tape from his muscular forearms while attempting to explain why he’s sometimes victimized by making a wrong first impression.
“Yeah, man, it’s always been like that,” Mitchell said in his low resonating baritone voice, his body so tense from answering questions he was even clenching his barefoot toes. “Just the way I look on my face. Sometimes people think I’m real serious or angry all the time.”
Playfully stunned by the perception he’s quickly earning a reputation as the team’s resident brooder, Mitchell turned to a nearby Bills staff member to issue a mild complaint.
“They don’t think I smile,” Mitchell said.
With a wink, the staffer replied: “Well, I was scared of you, too.”
And there it was: a smile that grew wide as Mitchell shook his head and laughed.
Mitchell certainly does have plenty to be happy about.
on after helping the New York Giants win the Super Bowl, the six-year NFL veteran is playing a big role in helping the Bills (5-1) get off to their best start in 13 years after signing with the team on the first day of free agency in March.
Identified by Buffalo as someone who could bring a physical and veteran presence to its linebacking corps, Mitchell hasn’t taken long to prove his worth. He’s tied for fourth on the team with 31 tackles this season, and coming off a dominating fourth-quarter performance that almost single-handedly secured a 23-14 win over San Diego last weekend.
After Marshawn Lynch scored on a 9-yard run to put the Bills ahead 20-14 late in the third quarter, Mitchell made decisive plays to end each of the Chargers’ final three possessions.
It began early in the fourth quarter with San Diego facing third-and-2 at the Bills 41. Mitchell chased down Darren Sproles, limiting the speedy running back to a 1-yard gain and forcing a punt.
The Chargers’ next possession ended when, facing first-and-goal from the 9, Mitchell jumped in front to intercept Philip Rivers’ pass intended for Antonio Gates 1 yard inside the end zone.
Following a Bills field goal, the coup de grace came with 3 minutes left when Mitchell sacked Rivers and forced a fumble, allowing Buffalo to run out the clock.
on said, summing up Mitchell’s trifecta. “It’s amazing. The guy has a lot of talent and just has the will to make big plays.”
And that’s type of player the Bills were after to bolster a young linebacking corps and a defense that was particularly ineffective stopping the run last season.
“That’s the game-changing performer that we haven’t had in the past at that position,” defensive coordinator Perry Fewell said. “He’s really kind of the glue.”
The Bills have had their eyes on Mitchell since he first became a free agent in 2007 after a solid four-year stint with Kansas City. The trouble was, Buffalo was already planning to draft a middle linebacker – it turned out to be Paul Posluszny in the second round – to replace London Fletcher, and the team wasn’t sure Mitchell could play on the outside.
Mitchell capably made the switch with the Giants last season. And he particularly made a big impression on the Bills when he had six tackles, two sacks and an interception in the Giants’ 38-21 playoff-clinching win at Buffalo on Dec. 23.
No surprise that the Bills made Mitchell their first priority when free agency opened.
Fewell chuckled at the memory of his first time meeting Mitchell.
“I was scared to talk to him. Heck, I was intimidated,” Fewell recalled.
ster and very good at keeping players loose on the bench.
In the midst of a 41-17 loss at Arizona on Oct. 5, Mitchell was on the bench when he turned to Ellison and Posluszny and, out of the blue, said: “You know, I love you guys.”
Ellison and Posluszny looked at each other not knowing what to make of it before cracking up.
“During a game, I’ll say anything,” Mitchell said laughing, letting down what was left of his steely guard.
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