His Return Won’t Be Special

Going with addition by subtraction, UCLA coaches plan to reduce Freddie Mitchell’s role on kickoff and punt returns in hopes that a concentrated effort at flanker will finally lead to a breakthrough season.

Mitchell has been one of the Bruins’ top threats, largely because of the versatility that included work as the deep man on return teams and stretched all the way to throwing for two touchdowns in 1998. But he has also been contained, if at times by circumstances, missing most of that season because of a broken leg and then a year ago going without a touchdown even while leading the Bruins in receptions.

So one of Coach Bob Toledo’s first decisions of fall was that Mitchell wouldn’t even challenge for the special teams’ first unit. Ricky Manning opened as the likely candidate for punt returns, while Akil Harris and Tab Perry got early chances to be paired on kickoff returns.

“I’m going to try to keep him as a backup and see if he can have more production [at flanker],” Toledo said of Mitchell. “He’s only scored one [receiving] touchdown in the last two seasons, so it’s not like he’s ready for the Biletnikoff Award. He thinks he is.”

Confidence has never been one of Mitchell’s weak points.

“I think it’s good to have me for kickoff returns when we need some momentum change,” he said. “When the team needs to get up, he’ll put me in. It’s a good coaching move.

“But I’ll miss it. I want to show the next level [the NFL] that I can do everything. But right now, it’s about team. The team needs a great wide receiver, so I’m doing it for the team.”

The chance is there because the Bruins have put Mitchell at flanker, the featured spot for their receivers and the position that formerly belonged to Danny Farmer, while Brian Poli-Dixon replaces Brad Melsby. Uncertainty about how Mitchell and Poli-Dixon would arrive at camp, after being criticized in the fall of ’99 for a poor summer regiment, have been replaced by the delight of coaches at their off-season commitment this time.

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The quarterback decision will come down to sophomores Cory Paus and Ryan McCann, but junior Scott McEwan, with the most seniority among the candidates, has capitalized on his extensive knowledge of the offense to remain at least on the fringe of the picture.

It has not become a three-man race, but “I’m saying McEwan is showing us he’s capable of playing at this level,” Toledo said. “I’m really pleased with what he’s showing out here.”

Most of all, McEwan has shown increased confidence to go with his strong arm. That has been the biggest factor in his improvement, after throwing only 15 passes last season.