Cary Edmondson-US PRESSWIRE

For whatever its worth, Vic Tafur points out that Mike Mitchell has been on the field for the start of seven games in his brief career in Silver and Black. Of course the only reason he was on the field to start those seven contests was because the Raiders opened those games in nickel packages meaning Mitchell was the extra defensive called into action.

So if Tyvon Branch is unable to go Sunday then Mitchell will record his first official start as he’ll be on field no matter the package. He’ll also see the most extensive action in his now fourth season in Oakland.

Mitchell he isn’t shy about saying that this opportunity is long overdue. Plenty of members of Raider Nation would agree.

Mitchell arrived in Oakland with the reputation of being a hard hitter that was expected to help resurrect the Raider ways of old. Injuries, inconsistent play and a lack of opportunities have held Mitchell back but come Sunday he could be unleashed for the best chance he’s had to shine as a pro.

But that will have to wait until Sunday to be determined. Branch and his sore neck were able to practice Friday meaning nothing will be decided on his status until game day. Either way Mitchell is preparing for extended action.

“I’m just so ready to … show what I can do. I’m tired. I feel like I’ve been held back, held back, held back, so if I get the opportunity, I just want to go play good football and show the abilities God has blessed me with.”

Plenty of us have also been waiting for a long time to see if Mitchell can become the playmaking safety Al Davis envisioned when he took him in the second round of the ’09 draft to the shock of most everyone. Mitchell has had some memorable moments but has never firmly established himself as a reliable player in the pros. Sunday he could get the chance and even if his time with Oakland is over after this season all he needs to do is look to former teammate and current New York Giant Stevie Brown to know that every Sunday provides the chance to audition for a job in this league.

When Al Davis topped his Darrius Heyward-Beyjaw dropper with the Mitchell stunner it was widely accepted that the iconic owner had finally gone completely off the deep end. Last season saw DHB show real signs of life as his breakout year displayed #1 receiver potential.

Dec 24, 2011; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oakland Raiders safety Mike Mitchell (34) reacts during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The Raiders defeated the Chiefs 16-13 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

Mitchell is still waiting to have that type of an impact.

Caught between positions, coaches and a completely undefined role the hard-hitting Mitchell has never settled in during his time in the NFL. He’s also had to deal with injury issues that have plagued him from his first OTA with the franchise.

There’s no doubt Mitchell has proven he can play. All those draft day jokes have fallen by the wayside considering the number of safeties in the ’09 draft that have flamed out of the league. Still, there has got to be real concern as the East Bay scholarship program has been abolished by Reggie McKenzie.

The real irony is that every year we seem to have this same discussion.

Oakland enters the offseason with more questions than answers in the secondary. Mitchell is pegged as a player that must breakout and inevitably an injury of some sort prevents him from fully participating in camp which then carries over into the regular season. So far that trend is holding true once again with Mitchell on the mend from offseason knee surgery.

Of course despite all his injuries and inconsistent reps, Mitchell has made plays when given the opportunity. It’s not uncommon to see #34 closing in on an open receiver managing to lay a lick that prevents a completion. He’s got a real nose for the ball and plays with a massive chip on his shoulder.

So will this finally be the year Mitchell puts it all together and announces himself as the fierce hitter roaming the last line of defense we’ve all been waiting for? Or will it be another vanishing act with occasional guest appearances?

Whatever Mitchell does in 2012 it had better be memorable. McKenzie might have already turned the page but that doesn’t mean other teams aren’t watching. In the NFL every Sunday is an audition.

Cary Edmondson-US PRESSWIRE

So far the most news Mike Mitchell has made in his three years as a Raider occurred the day he was drafted. When Al Davis sent in the off-the-radar pick that brought draft coverage to a halt you figured this story would end one of two ways. Either Mitchell would prove all the doubters wrong and become a stud safety or he’d fade into oblivion, lost in the shuffle that is pro football.

Nobody really thought of the third option – absolute mediocrity.

Mitchell has started just 7 games in three years four of which occurred in 2011. For all we know last year could have been the big breakout we’ve been waiting for from Mitchell. Nagging injuries put a real damper on his season however as he again struggled to find a role.

We’ve seen some good from Mitchell. He’s versatile enough to play both safety positions and cover slot receivers as a nickel corner. His hard hitting style of play has also been effective as he’s almost always around the ball.

We’ve also seen the bad of Mitchell. At times he sells out for the big hit instead of playing it simple by making a form tackle. There’s also nothing definitive about his game that makes Mitchell much more than a role player.

2012 is the make or break season for the former Ohio Bobcat. Reggie McKenzie’s eye is looking over every inch of the franchise and another subpar year from Mitchell will likely end his silver and black career. There were rumors that the Raiders were ready to part with him before last season began.

Each season Mitchell has been a Raider only one name has been written in ink as far as safeties go. That would be Tyvon Branch. So it’s not like Mitchell hasn’t had his opportunities. He’s either not been healthy enough or not played well enough on a consistent basis to find full-time work. Maybe Dennis Allen will finally get the most of Mitchell but it’s time for this fan favorite to be more than a cult hero.