In a move that was no surprise, the Eagles released Mitchell on Friday, cutting ties with the wide receiver after four seasons where he never lived up to his promise as a first-round pick.
"We appreciate everything Freddie has contributed to the Eagles organization over the last four years," coach Andy Reid said. "By releasing him now, it gives him the opportunity for a new start with another team in the NFL."
Mitchell, picked in the first round out of UCLA in 2001, made more news off the field than on it, labeling himself with a seemingly endless list of self-promoting nicknames like "The People's Champ," "FredEx," and "First-Down Freddie." Before the Super Bowl, Mitchell offended some Patriots when he dissed their secondary in a television interview.
Mitchell said he just knew the numbers -- not the names -- of New England's cornerbacks. He singled out Rodney Harrison, saying he "has something" for the veteran strong safety. Mitchell also called out New England coach Bill Belichick.
Unhappy over his role as the slot receiver and overshadowed by Terrell Owens, Mitchell criticized his teammates for not backing him up when he trashed talked the Patriots and blasted Donovan McNabb for lacking confidence in him as a go-to receiver.
Mitchell was told not to come to Philadelphia's first mandatory mini-camp last week.
"I told him I did not want him here," Reid said.
Mitchell played in 63 career games and had 90 catches for 1,263 yards and five touchdowns, but never posted more than 35 catches in a season. His best season came in 2003, when he had 35 catches, and became a very good third-down receiver out of the slot.
On the field, he was best known for his catch on a fourth-and-26 play that kept Philadelphia's season alive in the NFC divisional playoff game against Green Bay in January 2004.
Mitchell, 26, had two seasons remaining on the original six-year contract he signed as a first-round pick in the 2001 draft, and was scheduled for base salaries of $540,000 in 2005 and of $600,000 for 2006.
It will be interesting to see, now that Mitchell is free, how many teams demonstrate interest. There had been some rumblings that Tampa Bay might be inclined to consider Mitchell, but the Bucs on Friday officially signed veteran free agent wide receiver Ike Hilliard to the one-year contract accord reported by ESPN.com earlier in the week.
*****************************
I guess they're going to have to give TO what he wants now.
Joined: Wed Mar 02, 2005 3:43 am Posts: 18418 Location: Anytown, USA Gender: Male
later douchebag!
_________________
stip wrote:
In five years, when you get laid and grow up, you should go back and read some of these posts and if you've turned into a decent person you'll realize how much of an asshole you sound like right now
Joined: Wed Mar 02, 2005 3:43 am Posts: 18418 Location: Anytown, USA Gender: Male
lunkin wrote:
i wish the niners pick him up they need help at the wide receiver position
as long as tampa doesn't get him, i don't care.
here in philly they said on the radio, maybe oakland?
_________________
stip wrote:
In five years, when you get laid and grow up, you should go back and read some of these posts and if you've turned into a decent person you'll realize how much of an asshole you sound like right now
Joined: Wed Mar 02, 2005 3:43 am Posts: 18418 Location: Anytown, USA Gender: Male
parchy wrote:
Rumor has it that Daniel Snyder has expressed interest in FredEx
how convenient for the team that plays at FedEx field...
_________________
stip wrote:
In five years, when you get laid and grow up, you should go back and read some of these posts and if you've turned into a decent person you'll realize how much of an asshole you sound like right now
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 12 guests
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot post attachments in this forum
