They’re Making the Plays

So what do players do in the hours of inactivity during Super Bowl week, between the practices and media sessions?

The Philadelphia Eagles play games, everything from dominos to video games.

Receivers Terrell Owens and Freddie Mitchell play football video games, each preferring to have the Eagles in the make-believe contests on screen.

“He throws to himself too much,” Mitchell said of Owens’ play-calling.

And how about Mitchell?

“I throw to myself,” Mitchell said, “on every down.”

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Owens, trying to play only six weeks after seriously injuring his leg and ankle, on Friday ran patterns from a variety of formations, caught passes from every conceivable angle, and emerged with “little if any limp,” according to a pool reporter who watched the workout.

There will be no further stress tests for Owens, because today’s final practice will consist of a walk-through at Alltel Stadium.

Will Owens start Sunday?

“That’s irrelevant,” Coach Andy Reid said. “We’ve got it broken down by different plays. If [one of his plays] happens to be the first play, it’s the first play. If not, then Freddie will be in there.”

Considering the importance of a strong start for Philadelphia and the emotional spark that Owens could give his team in that regard, look for Reid to make sure the first passing plays just happen to be those involving Owens.

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Also practicing Friday was linebacker Mark Simoneau, who has sat out both of Philadelphia’s playoff games because of an injured foot tendon.

Defensive end Jevon Kearse sat out Friday’s practice because of flu, but is expected to play Sunday.