PHILADELPHIA – It was time for Freddie Mitchell to show his gratitude.
“I just want to thank my hands,” he said, sounding dead serious, “for being so great.”
As the Eagles yesterday whipped up on the Vikings 27-14 in an NFC divisional playoff game, Mitchell offered some fairly compelling evidence that there might be life in the Philly offense after Terrell Owens. He also displayed a flair that, if not exactly Owens-like, at least was more than mere talk.
Known as an underachiever and a flamboyant personality without the gaudy results, Mitchell moved into the starting lineup when Owens went down with torn ligaments and a fractured right leg in the 14th game of the season. Instantly, the receiving duo of Mitchell and Todd Pinkston was criticized for its limitations. Without Owens, there’s no star power. Mitchell, though, was a busy and productive player as he did a little of everything to foil the Vikings.
He caught five passes for 65 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown grab in the first quarter. He scored a second touchdown on a strange play when he picked out of the air in the end zone a fumble by tight end L.J. Smith. Mitchell should have had a third touchdown but he lost the ball while attempting to stretch his arm across the goal line.
“I’m not sure I’d be able to put up with him if he scored that third touchdown,” Eagles coach Andy Reid said.
No kidding. Mitchell entered his postgame press conference wearing an Indiana Jones hat and a wide bowtie, sharing the podium with running back Brian Westbrook.
“I’m trying to take a humble approach,” Mitchell said, scanning the jam-packed room. “I definitely want to say ‘hi’ to all my new friends out there. The people that doubted me and the receivers.”
After his first touchdown, Mitchell mocked Randy Moss by pretending to pull his pants up, a maneuver he said “just came up during the week, something to make somebody smile.”
He caught only 22 passes all season but said “I’ve been in a rhythm, just waiting to get opportunities. They really haven’t needed me so I’ve just been chilling, being patient. I knew my time was going to come. I’m a special player. Players like myself take advantage of every opportunity.”
