ChiefsPlanet - Q&As with Dick Vermeil and WR Freddie Mitchell

Q&A with DICK VERMEIL

Jun 18, 2005, 3:10:29 PM

Q: Is Freddie Mitchell signed, sealed and delivered?

DICK VERMEIL: “Yes he is. Freddie has signed with us and we’re very happy to have him here with us. He’s happy to be here. He’s an experienced receiver, a first round pick and one that we also rated a first round pick when he came out. He’s a good friend of mine; his attitude’s real good and Andy Reid gave him an outstanding recommendation.

“So we’ll give him a shot. It’ll be tough; it’ll be very competitive.”

Q: Is he going to be in the same position as Az Hakim, that he has to compete for a job? Nothing is guaranteed.

VERMEIL: “Nothing is guaranteed. He knows that. All he wants is an opportunity. We’ll give him an opportunity, but it’ll be very intense competition.”

Q: Will this be a good thing for him because of what he went through in Philadelphia last year?

VERMEIL: “I think anytime you get a fresh start it’s good and he’ll start fresh. I’m sure as a young receiver he made some mistakes in Philadelphia like they all do, like we all do. I think he’s matured and will do a good job in competing.”

Q: Will he fit in with the other guys in terms in terms of personality?

VERMEIL: “He really only had problems in Philadelphia with one guy, not the team. That happens from time to time. Andy Reid assured me he’s a good guy and he thought he was a good guy when he came out and he’ll fit in nicely.”

Q: Has he signed?

VERMEIL: “Yes, he has signed.”

Q: What happened to Julian Battle?

VERMEIL: “He hopefully strained his Achilles. We won’t know until we take an MRI to see how serious it is.”

Q: Are you amazed at all the people who came out today?

VERMEIL: “15,700 came through the turnstiles to watch practice. Sometimes practice is very boring and drudgery for players. But it just shows you how wonderful our fans are. They’re good people and they support us. This should be the kind of football team they enjoy watching play.”

Q: What does that do to your defense if Julian Battle is out?

VERMEIL: “Julian hopefully is not injured seriously but if he is it’s a blow because he was in the starting position and he was maturing into a good football player. He was doing everything right and his focus was outstanding. He was becoming what we thought he was going to become even a year ago. He was on his way. Right now, I’ve got a pit in my stomach. I get upset. I’m concerned.”

Q: You say this should be your best team. You don’t worry about sticking your chin out like that?

VERMEIL: “Hey, I say things wrong all the time. I don’t read what you say after I said it wrong anyway. I believe this should be the best football team we’ve had since I’ve been here. I believe it should be. Whether it will be or not will be dependent upon how we as coaches coach and how players respond to training camp and the period between now and training camp. It should be the best football team we’ve had, especially on defense. There is no comparison.” Q: Will you put Freddie Mitchell on the field tomorrow?

VERMEIL: “We’ll put him through some work. Will start him real slow and (wide receiver coach) Charlie (Joiner) will try to spend some extra time with him. He’ll stay here next week with the rookies and go through things and learn how we do things and the system and nomenclature. We know that he’s tough; we know that he can catch the ball in a crowd; we know that he’s smart and we know he’ll knock your helmet off blocking. He’s got all those attributes that we like.”

Q&A WR FREDDIE MITCHELL

Jun 18, 2005, 3:03:39 PM

Q: Could you talk about signing here and do you feel like second fiddle after Az Hakim ended up going in another direction?

MITCHELL: “Az Hakim is a great receiver. He knows the offense. I would have chose Az Hakim because he can come right in. He has been with Coach Vermeil before so it’s not really second fiddle. If you have football experience and you know about the game of football it’s two different offenses so it’s really not second fiddle.”

Q: The Chiefs are a team who have led the league in yards or second in scoring, how exciting is that to you?

MITCHELL: “It’s very exciting and in this offense it opens you up. With a West Coast offense you have to open yourself up. The plays are going to be there for me to make a play. I just want to help the team win and hopefully be utilized catching the ball. I am happy to be here. Unfortunately Az Hakim couldn’t come for reasons but I am happy and will make the best out of this.”

Q: Do you see a starting opportunity here?

MITCHELL: “It’s really the embryonic stage right now. There is a lot of learning to do. I have to meet Coach Joiner and study the playbook. There is definitely a lot of good competition out here. There are a lot of good young guys out here that are fighting for starting positions. This position is not giving to me I will have to earn it.”

Q: Did they give you any insurance on the issue about playing or starting?

MITCHELL: “This is the NFL. No job is guaranteed. Every year there is a young guy coming at you wanting to take your spot.”

Q: What do you bring to the Kansas City Chiefs?

MITCHELL: “I definitely have Super Bowl experience. If you look at the Eagles they are one of the big teams. They win and know how to win. I know how to do things professionally and I am a class work. I am a mean guy on the field.”

Q: They threw to the tight ends around here quite a bit is that good for a wide receiver ?

MITCHELL: “Tony Gonzalez opens up the offense. Any time you have a player like that you have to respect him on the field. That gives the receivers a lot of chances to be open. All these weapons are good things. I’ve been in an offense with a lot of weapons. I understand how to play a role.”

Q: Do you feel like you have something to prove?

MITCHELL: “Not at all. I am coming in here and learning the offense and I think the rest will take care of itself.”

Q: What happened in Philadelphia?

MITCHELL: “The quarterback and I didn’t get along really well like everyone thought we did. There was a lot of stuff that happened under the table that unfortunately we couldn’t make to a better situation. I love the team and I love the organization and I could walk back in there and play. The quarterback and I just didn’t get along.”

Q: Because you and the quarterback didn’t get along do you feel like you have a bad reputation?

MITCHELL: “Not at all. The media will say what they will say about you. You can ask any of my teammates on the Philadelphia Eagles and they will tell their thoughts as me as a team player. I wanted to feel more part of the win and wanted more catches so I can say I helped you win.”

Q: Do you see a lot of similarities between RBs Brian Westbrook and Priest Holmes?

MITCHELL: “No it’s too different. I think they have two different games. They both have their great qualities and both are great running backs in the league.”

Q: Do you have any Troy Brown in you at defensive back?

MITCHELL: “You know what I definitely could do it but you know what I just want to learn this offense. This offense is not that hard to learn but a west coast offense is very hard. I am just looking forward to being with a great coach like Coach Joiner to teach me.”