The Steelers didn’t have Troy Polamalu at safety on Sunday, but one of their other safeties earned the ire of the Jets for trying one of Polamalu’s moves when the Jets were in the victory formation at the end of the game.

 

Steelers safety Mike Mitchell tried to leap over Jets center Nick Mangold as Michael Vick took the snap before kneeling down, which earned him a body slam from Mangold when he didn’t quite get enough air to clear the Jets center. There were plenty of other Jets expressing their displeasure with Mitchell on the field and Mangold issued a verbal slam at Mitchell after the game.

 

“It’s a dirty play,” Mangold said, via Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com.

 

Mitchell may also been the target of some anger from Jets coach Rex Ryan, who was caught on video, via NJ.com, using the same four letter word that former starting quarterback Geno Smith used toward a fan to earn a fine earlier this season. Ryan also got an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty during the game for yelling at the officials for what he perceived to be a lack of protection for Vick.

 

Nick Mangold: Mike Mitchell trying to jump line on kneeldown was a dirty play | ProFootballTalk

Also on Football Night in America they threw Mitchell under the bus on a different play in their highlight package.

 

Tough sledding for Mike against the Jets.

Here's a Vine of the play...

 

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Link doesn't work for me.

Here's a Vine of the play...

 

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Link doesn't work for me.

 

Weird...it worked a few minutes ago but now it won't work for me either. Try this one: Jets' Nick Mangold Body-Slams Mike Mitchell, Sparks Mini Brawl (Video) | New York Jets | NESN.com

Mitchell stinks. He's an underweight LB playing safety. Seriously, I can't think of a single pass he's defended all season. And I've watched them all.

Mitchell stinks. He's an underweight LB playing safety. Seriously, I can't think of a single pass he's defended all season. And I've watched them all.

 

Do you think the Steelers will cut Mitchell when the season is over?

That particular play was weak.

Do you think the Steelers will cut Mitchell when the season is over?

 

Nope. They'll ride him another year, guaranteed. And they'll be mediocre on the back end because of it.

It's a dirty play under the circumstances. The QB was obviously going to be taken a knee to run the clock out.

Just for reference on Mitchell's ability to defend the pass, look no further than the second touchdown by Vick yesterday to the TE in the back of the endzone. Mitchell is the only defender, the TE is the only one near him and the only one uncovered. And that has happened in the redzone time and again. On the season, by my count, he has dislodged the ball from the receiver 3 times, been penalized for it 2 of the 3. So, technically, he's made a positive play on 1 ball this season. He hasn't knocked any down that I recall, hasn't provided help over the top to even contest one. It's basically a free run zone in the middle 1/3 of the field at all times. I'm not sure if they only want him up in run support, but just in comparison to Ryan Clark, he's been a letdown. At the minumum, Clark would be there to help on the top end and he contested passes beyond 30 yds often.

In a couple of weeks, Graham will have 12 catches and 300yds against the Steelers.

Bush league play by Mitchell.

 

Mangold should have finished him off with this....

 

[video=youtube_share;8ypgpoP02JM]

I loved it. I hate conceding anything. It'd have been even funnier if Vick would have fumbled and the Steelers ran the fumble in for a touchdown.