Impact of Freeney

With Dwight Freeney questionable for Sunday’s big game against the New Orleans Saints, Colts fans are starting to get a little nervous about stopping one of the premier offenses in the league. After reportedly suffering a torn ligament in his ankle in the victory over the New York Jets, Freeney will be hindered, at best, pending a miraculous recovery. Although Freeney’s availability is still uncertain against the Saints, it is doubtful that Freeney will be at 100 percent regardless, and his health could be the difference in this game. 

The Saints have made it well-known that they intend to hit Peyton Manning, and hit him often. They will do so be sending constant pressure from a variety of different locations, and similarly the Colts will try to do the same only differently (if that makes sense). Over the years the Colts have made their living getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks from their front four, rarely sending blitzes and relying heavily on Freeney and Robert Mathis. This pressure will be especially important against Drew Brees, who like Manning, makes his living picking defenses apart at the highest level. The loss of Freeney would require the Colts to call upon Raheem Brock, a serviceable end who has stepped up in the past when called upon. Brock, though effective at times, is not Freeney, and if the Colts cannot get pressure on Brees then it could be a long day for the Colts secondary.

Over the past few seasons, the Colts have overcome several key losses on the defensive side of the ball. Bob Sanders and Dwight Freeney, two of the “stars” on this team, have had trouble staying healthy, and their backups have been trained to be ready at any moment. So while this is certainly a big blow for the Colts, they have been in this position before. With or without Freeney the Colts will not let one injury detour their mindset coming into this game.