Q&As with Dick Vermeil and WR Freddie Mitchell

[keg in kc]

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.”

[Lbedrock1]

Originally Posted by BSPimpDude

LOL!!!!! "FredEx" said he definately has Super Bowl expirience. That shit really makes me laugh........hard. That one catch for 5 yards is a shit load of expirience if you ask me. LOL

1 Catch for 5 yards is more experience that sitting at home watching the superbowl so don't be so hard on the guy. He is a Chief now give him a chance.

[Kylo Ren]

I'm hoping the Chiefs signed Mitchell so that the young WR's have to work even harder to surpass him and beat him for the position. Maybe he creates a higher level of competition. I hope he gets beat out and cut and the end of training camp. Here's my WR corps:

Kennison
Parker
Boerigter
Smith
Thorpe
Hall - KR/PR

PS:
McIntyre
Curry or Booth

[Wallcrawler]

Originally Posted by BSPimpDude

I dont like this one bit.

- He says that he brings Super Bowl expirience to the team, well we all watched the game last season and we all know how that went right?

He played in the entire game, so he does have superbowl experience. I dont really focus on that though, you need to focus on his performances in the playoffs leading up to that superbowl. In the playoffs, last year, and previous years, when the ball came to him in big situations, he made the play.

Remember 4th and 26? He made that play.

How about this? Colts V Chiefs, Johnnie Morton cant convert 3rd and 10 with no defender within 15 yards of him, and drops the ball. I guess you'd rather have that kind of performance in a big game?

- So tell me this, how in the hell do you not get along with Donovan McNabb?!?! He's a winner and an NFL All-Pro QB.

Do you know Donovan McNabb? He could be a first class asshole for all you know. I would think that if Freddie Mitchell were such a bad guy, the entire team would be hating the guy, not just one guy being unable to get along with him.

Freddie Mitchell did not like the style of offense that Andy Reid runs. The west coast style of offense that goes with the more conservative approach and goes to the backs and tight ends quite a bit. He wanted the ball more, and unfortunately made the mistake of saying it publicly.


- And finally Freddie, no you could not play CB you cocky arrogant piece of shit. You say that you could walk back in Philly and play if you wanted to, but you have failed to mention that Philly doesn't want you back because you suck.

And how do you know this? Have you seen him play any defense? I thought not.

And in regard to his being able to go back to philly and play, way to miss the point. He was elaborating on how he only didnt get along with McNabb, but the rest of the team was cool with him.

I would much rather have Koren Robinson.

This is funny. You dont want Mitchell, a guy who has potential to be a solid contributor in an offense like KC runs and has shown playmaking ability in big games, but you DO want a receiver that is looking at a full year suspension and more off field problems than Freddie Mitchell?

WTF is the logic behind that I wonder?

Mitchell just has a big mouth sometimes. Robinson is a nutbar who is headed for the state penitentiary if he doesnt get his shit together.

[tk13]

He played in the entire game, so he does have superbowl experience. I dont really focus on that though, you need to focus on his performances in the playoffs leading up to that superbowl. In the playoffs, last year, and previous years, when the ball came to him in big situations, he made the play.

Remember 4th and 26? He made that play.

How about this? Colts V Chiefs, Johnnie Morton cant convert 3rd and 10 with no defender within 15 yards of him, and drops the ball. I guess you'd rather have that kind of performance in a big game?

The dude also talked trash the entire week of the Super Bowl saying how terrible the Pats were, then went out and only had 1 reception. THEN turned around and said that the Pats still weren't really that good. That's not clutch. Clutch is breaking your leg, saying you're coming back, you're going to get the job done, and coming back on a bum leg in the Super Bowl like TO did and having an outstanding game. That's performance in a big game. Not 1 catch for 11 yards. Not one catch in a playoff game against a weak prevent defense. That's garbage.

I wasn't a huge fan of Morton but Mitchell has a long, long, LONG way to go to have a career half as good as Johnnie Morton's....

[Wallcrawler]

Originally Posted by tk13

The dude also talked trash the entire week of the Super Bowl saying how terrible the Pats were, then went out and only had 1 reception.

The only thing I saw was that he said he didnt know the names of anyone in the Patriot secondary, and said it kinda jokingly at that. It comes off a lot worse on paper than it does hearing him say it.


THEN turned around and said that the Pats still weren't really that good.

He made a simple statement. The Eagles turned the ball over 4 times and the Pats still only won by 3 points. He said that the Pats overreact to every little thing that might be said about them, "like little girls".

Which is true. How many times have you heard patriot players crying and whining about "wanting their respect?". A lot. They act like since they won the SB that the rest of the league should just bow down and worship them or something. F that. Teams arent going to do that.

That's not clutch. Clutch is breaking your leg, saying you're coming back, you're going to get the job done, and coming back on a bum leg in the Super Bowl like TO did and having an outstanding game. That's performance in a big game. Not 1 catch for 11 yards. Not one catch in a playoff game against a weak prevent defense. That's garbage.


Way to skip over my point before, and exclude it from your response. I said that the Superbowl was not a good example for Mitchell. He didnt do well at all in the Superbowl. Oh God, lets totally condemn him for having a bad game, because all good receivers in the league NEVER have a bad game...... With TO getting so many passes, Mitchell wasnt getting many looks. Call that an excuse or whatever, but TO caught 9 passes in that game and clearly is the go to guy for the Eagles over ANYONE else on that team.

I simply said to look at his performances in playoff games prior to the superbowl last year, and in previous years. When the Eagles needed a big play and threw the ball his way, he made the play, period. Mitchell has the capabilty to make big plays in big games.

In Philly, TO garnered a lot of the looks, because McNabb isnt a great pocket QB and doesnt distribute the ball around very well.

In KC, the Chiefs spread the ball out. Everyone gets passes because the offense and Trent Green are more suited to do that.



I wasn't a huge fan of Morton but Mitchell has a long, long, LONG way to go to have a career half as good as Johnnie Morton's....

Well, he's still young and it does happen that receivers fail with one team and excel with another. Im sure youre not so shortsighted as to immediately rule out any chance of Mitchell being a better fit in the KC offense than he was in the Philadelphia offense without ever seeing him play a single down for the Chiefs.

[tk13]

You're really going a long way to be overdramatic for a guy that doesn't even average 1.5 catches a game. The guy has 17 catches in 7 playoff games and you're proclaiming him a clutch WR. Really, it's not like he's Jerry Rice. I think he'll have the opportunity to do well in this system just because of how prolific we are. I'm not convinced he's really much better than Parker or Boerigter though.

[NewChief]

The weirdest part about this interview in my opinion:

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.

FredEx and DV are "good friends"?

[Spicy McHaggis]

Originally Posted by BSPimpDude

We might as well be the laughing stock of the NFL after this FA signing.

Cheer up man. Remember how Denver signed the 32 ranked Browns D-Line? Thats still pretty funny.

[Mr. Flopnuts]

This whole situation is a crapshoot. I was much happier with Az than I am with Freddie. That being said, I am optimistic that FredEx will excel in this system, will gel better with Trent, and Dick for that matter, and will have an 8 TD 1000 yd season. If that makes me a homer, then
GO CHIEFS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mr. Flopnuts]

Originally Posted by Spicy McHaggis

Cheer up man. Remember how Denver signed the 32 ranked Browns D-Line? Thats still pretty funny.

That is still pretty funny. Rep.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by chiefman420

This whole situation is a crapshoot. I was much happier with Az than I am with Freddie. That being said, I am optimistic that FredEx will excel in this system, will gel better with Trent, and Dick for that matter, and will have an 8 TD 1000 yd season. If that makes me a homer, then
GO CHIEFS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm confident that CrapEx will be no better than the #4 receiver, if he makes the roster at all, put up less than 10 catches, for less than 100 yards, with less than 1 TD.

If that makes me a cynical anti-homer, then so be it, and Go Chiefs!

[Baby Lee]

How is it people seem aware of the fact that Fred and McNabb didn't get along, then cite his catch per game average?
We've lived with a 'leashed' QB. And for better or worse, we've lived with a QB who views Gonzalez [and Priest out of the backfield] as his personal bankys.
Further, McNabb is a glance, glance, scramble back who gives the passing game a short window before winging it.
Is it so impossible to imagine that, on many many plays, there MIGHT be an open FredX that McNabb, consciously or not, doesn't see.

[unlurking]

heh, if I weren't disappointed in this signings as well, I'd have to make Mitchell my adopt-a-chief just to piss people off.

[Wallcrawler]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

How is it people seem aware of the fact that Fred and McNabb didn't get along, then cite his catch per game average?
We've lived with a 'leashed' QB. And for better or worse, we've lived with a QB who views Gonzalez [and Priest out of the backfield] as his personal bankys.
Further, McNabb is a glance, glance, scramble back who gives the passing game a short window before winging it.
Is it so impossible to imagine that, on many many plays, there MIGHT be an open FredX that McNabb, consciously or not, doesn't see.

Exactly.

McNabb relies on his running ability to make the play, rather than buying time in the pocket and actually looking for his receivers and committing himself to making the play with his arm. He's a happy feet QB who looks at his primary then secondary, and if that isnt there he is off and running.

I think that with Trent Green, Mitchell will be in a no excuses situation when he gets to KC. If Mitchell gets open, Green can get the football to him.

[Wallcrawler]

Originally Posted by tk13

You're really going a long way to be overdramatic for a guy that doesn't even average 1.5 catches a game.


Nope. Im simply countering the haters that say that Mitchell has zero talent.

The guy has 17 catches in 7 playoff games and you're proclaiming him a clutch WR.

I saw him make some big plays in the playoffs. He had a huge game in this years NFC title game, and he has had previous big catches in prior playoff games. I never said he was clutch, I simply said that he has shown the CAPABILITY to make big plays in big games. We just cut a guy who dropped a HUGE pass on 3rd and 10 with absolutely noone within 15 yards of him in the playoffs. Me personally, Id rather have the guy that has shown the capability to come up big in the really big games in the past. But whatever, youre free to hate on Freddie Mitchell all you like. Im not saying he's the greatest receiver in the league, but he isnt a zero talent scab that has no shot to help the team like some people would have everyone believe.

Really, it's not like he's Jerry Rice.

Show me where I said anything even REMOTELY close to comparing Mitchell to Jerry Rice.

I think he'll have the opportunity to do well in this system just because of how prolific we are. I'm not convinced he's really much better than Parker or Boerigter though.


Now youre getting it. He has the potential to do well because we throw the ball a lot and spread it around, and have an excellent QB running the offense. Mitchell came from a west coast style of offense with a QB who could really use some work on his pocket presence skills in regard to passing.

I wonder what will be said if in fact Freddie Mitchell turns out to be a good contributor to this offense by the people who are calling him a zero talent piece of crap.

But, people were saying similar things about Eddie Kennison too and look how that turned out.

Im simply saying that he has shown the capability of being an asset to this team, not a waste of time and cash, and that we shouldnt write off Freddie Mitchell before seeing him play in only his second offensive scheme in his NFL career. Some guys arent cut out for certain schemes and fail with their initial team, but then move on to become much better players with another team.