Giants are still waiting for return on investment

Friday, Nov. 14, 2003 | 10:20 a.m.

SUN WIRE REPORTS

The New York Giants aren't getting much of a return out of Brian Mitchell.

The NFL's all-time leading return man, signed by the Giants as a free agent in the offseason, is having his worst season by far.

Mitchell is averaging a career-low 4.2 yards returning punts through the first nine games, and his kickoff return average of 20.5 yards is among the lowest in his stellar 14-year career.

The Giants are ranked last in the league in punt returns and 26th in kickoff returns -- not the kind of numbers they expected after giving Mitchell a little more than $1 million for this season, including signing bonus.

"It's not a one-person thing, so I don't see why all the focus and blame is being pointed to me," Mitchell said. "I guess it just goes with the territory because I was brought in, and with what I had done, everybody just expected good things to happen. That ain't right. That ain't the way things go down."

In the Past two games, Mitchell has fielded six punts and gained 9 return yards. A 6-foot player catching the ball and falling forward would gain more.

The performance had many wondering whether Giants coach Jim Fassel might make a switch and make backup running back Delvin Joyce his returner.

"Nobody has said anything to me," Mitchell said. "Until I am told something, I am the No. 1 guy.

"I'm just hoping and praying it's 100 percent mentally and going about in that way," Vick said. "I think if I think about it in that way, then I won't worry about it. I think it will be 100 percent, really."

Vick, who said his right ankle and Achilles' tendon won't heal fully for several more months, worked with the scout team for the second consecutive day as the Falcons prepared to visit New Orleans (4-5) this weekend, a game Vick will not play.

Green, the former Boston College star who led the Browns in rushing as a rookie last season, was arrested Oct. 27 on charges of drunken driving and marijuana possession.