Mitchell fires up Patriots

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The New England Patriots are too well-versed in this Super Bowl stuff and far too classy to get involved in a war of words a full week before the big game.

Well, maybe not.

The Patriots are angry about comments last week from Philadelphia receiver Freddie Mitchell. The defending champions made it clear Sunday when they arrived in Jacksonville that they aren't about to ignore Mitchell dissing their secondary, particularly star safety Rodney Harrison.

"When he says something like that," linebacker-lineman Willie McGinest said of Mitchell, "he's disrespecting our whole defense. Not only Rodney, but me and Tedy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel and all the rest of us."

That Mitchell has been an underachieving backup for Terrell Owens hasn't escaped New England's notice. Owens, sidelined since Game 14 with torn ankle ligaments, still hasn't practiced but has been running and no longer has a limp.

Considering how the Patriots might be gunning for Mitchell next Sunday, maybe the Eagles need Owens more than ever.

But even if the All-Pro receiver returns — coach Andy Reid said he will be evaluated daily — he isn't likely to be a focal point of Philadelphia's offense. And he probably won't get nearly the attention from the Patriots during their media sessions as Mitchell will receive.

Or already has received.

"Maybe he was drinking before he started talking," Harrison said, "because that was clearly a mistake. No one in this league would attack somebody a week before the Super Bowl.

"I'm not really surprised because you're always going to find one jerk out of the bunch, just like (Mike) Vanderjagt," added Harrison, who also verbally feuded with the Indianapolis kicker during the playoffs. "You're always going to find one guy like that who wants some attention and wants to do something to try and stir up the emotions of the game.

"I don't need any extra motivation; I need something to calm me down."

Asked if he would speak directly to Mitchell, Harrison responded sarcastically: "What would I say? I don't have much to say. It's Freddie Mitchell."

It's also very early in Super Bowl week to running at the mouth. For the veteran Patriots to dive headfirst into such a fray is almost astonishing.