By Rob Maaddi
The Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA - After thriving in Steve Spurrier's "Fun-n-Gun" offense, Derrius Thompson could be switching to the West Coast offense.

The free-agent wide receiver met with the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday - his third visit to a team this week. The 25-year Thompson had a breakout a year with the Washington Redskins last season, catching 53 passes for 773 yards and four touchdowns.

"To be a part of a team like this, it's a great opportunity to have a chance to win a championship," Thompson said. "That outweighs everything. That's the most important thing."

The Eagles have reached the NFC championship game the last two years, losing to St. Louis in 2001 and Tampa Bay last season.

Thompson met with the Minnesota Vikings and the Miami Dolphins earlier this week, and said the Redskins told him they were still interested in keeping him.

The four-year veteran was the first free agent to visit the Eagles this offseason. Philadelphia has lost linebacker Shawn Barber to Kansas City and return specialist Brian Mitchell to the New York Giants.

Also, three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Hugh Douglas visited the Giants, Seattle and Kansas City this week, and could be next to leave.

Thompson signed with the Redskins as a free agent out of Baylor in 1999. He spent most of his first three seasons on special teams, and caught two passes, one for a TD, in 2001.

In his first season as a full-time player, Thompson emerged in the last five games, catching 28 passes for 427 yards and three TDs. He had seven catches for 70 yards and one TD in a loss to the Eagles on Dec. 15.

"It felt really rewarding for the hard work to pay off," Thompson said. "I feel like I can play a lot better than I did last year once I get my feet wet and continue to get experience."

Though he doesn't possess breakaway speed, the 6-foot-2, 216-pound Thompson has good size. He'd get a chance to play the slot receiver spot in Philadelphia.

The Eagles have four receivers on their roster: starters James Thrash and Todd Pinkston, former first-round pick Freddie Mitchell and third-year pro Freddie Milons. Antonio Freeman, the No. 3 receiver last year, is an unrestricted free agent.

The Eagles hoped Mitchell, the 25th pick in the 2001 draft, would be ready to compete for a starting spot, or at least be the third receiver this season. But their interest in Thompson indicates Mitchell could have trouble earning playing time.

Pinkston led the Eagles with 60 catches for 798 yards and seven TDs. Thrash, who came to the Eagles after four seasons with Washington, had 52 receptions for 635 yards and six TDs.

Freeman caught 46 passes for 600 yards and three TDs. Thompson's average of 14.6 yards per catch was better than any of Philadelphia's receivers.

Mitchell, a standout at UCLA, caught just 21 passes for 283 yards and one TD as a rookie. He had 12 receptions for 105 yards last season.

"My goal is to go in and work hard and strive for the top," Thompson said. "I would go in and try to compete and try my best to be a starter."

The Eagles released four-time Pro Bowl safety Blaine Bishop on Thursday, clearing the way for second-year pro Michael Lewis to be the starter. Bishop signed a three-year contract last March after nine seasons with the Tennessee Titans/Houston Oilers.

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