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Freeman talks, plays big game
By By
PETER JACKEL
Journal Times
GREEN BAY -- As a rookie wide receiver with the New York Jets a couple of years ago, Keyshawn Johnson authored a book arrogantly entitled, ``Just Give Me The Damn Ball!"
That was the sentiment of Packers wide receiver Antonio Freeman Sunday, only his motivation was courage, not arrogance. Two weeks after his jaw was fractured on a vicious hit by Philadelphia Eagles safety Michael Zordich, Freeman bolstered an injury-depleted contingent of wide receivers by getting back out on the field and making plays.
It was his 13-yard touchdown reception on a slant pass from Brett Favre early in the fourth quarter that gave the Packers a 23-13 lead against the resilient Bears. And when it was over, the Packers had a 26-20 victory and Freeman had his fifth 100-yard day of the season and the 12th of his career,
``It was a courageous effort and now I think he knows he can play," Packers coach Mike Holmgren said.
``I'll tell you what, I would think most people wouldn't have played," Favre said. ``He took some hits and made some big catches and that's all we can ask. As I said about `Chuey' (tight end Mark Chmura), he's like a security blanket. He makes plays. He's a guy at crunch time you know is going to make plays."
Freeman stayed as prepared as possible in the two weeks since his injury, losing just three pounds with the help of his mother's home cooking. By Sunday's game, the only obstacles for Freeman was surviving that first hit and then regaining his timing after sitting out last Monday night's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Freeman succeeded on both counts.
``I felt real rusty out there today and before the game, I felt like it was my first NFL game," he said. ``I was real nervous. Once I got that first hit, I think that was when I really was able to get back my confidence."
And once he did, Freeman was determined to accept nothing less than being his old self.
``That's one thing I told the coaching staff," he said. ``I said, `If I'm going to play, I'm going to play all the way.' I wasn't going to be a decoy and I wasn't going to run special routes. If I was going to be in, we were going to run the regular game plan.
``I didn't know what to expect. As usual, I said my prayer before the game, just went out and what happened, happened."
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