Captain Spaulding
Footballguy
I don't think I've seen a single highlight reel on this guy all season. Is he injured? Getting double teamed? The last 2-3 years this guy has been a beast on defense.
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
Dwight Freeney (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Captain Spaulding
- Start date
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Freeney is being double and triple teamed a little more often than in past years. Unfortunately, this year he's been just missing on those plays where he gets through rather than finishing the play much more often than not. Some believe the minor leg issues have robbed him of some of the explosive first step he relies on but that hasn't appeared to be a major issue of late.
There have also been suggestions that Freeney has backed off a bit in an effort to play the run better. I'm not buying that -- the Colts run defense has much deeper issues than Freeney not holding his edge and that's never been a major issue in the past. The Tampa-2 defensive scheme needs him pressuring the quarterback. The backers and safeties rarely blitz (particularly in Dungy's version of the scheme) and are instead used in zone coverage in passing situations.
There have also been suggestions that Freeney has backed off a bit in an effort to play the run better. I'm not buying that -- the Colts run defense has much deeper issues than Freeney not holding his edge and that's never been a major issue in the past. The Tampa-2 defensive scheme needs him pressuring the quarterback. The backers and safeties rarely blitz (particularly in Dungy's version of the scheme) and are instead used in zone coverage in passing situations.
diesel7982
Footballguy
Hes been an excellent pass-rusher, but a huge liability in the run game. He goes to probowls because he gets sacks, but hes been as much the problem as he has been the solution the last 3 years for their defense.
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
I agree that a DE needs to have some run support ability to be considered a complete player. But Freeney's not been nearly as big a deficiency in the run game as a lack of SLB and poor DT play. Not that Freeney would have been able to perform anyway, but a DE doesn't need to turn an RB who's already burst through a steam engine sized hole in the middle of the defensive line.Freeney is a very important part of this defense. Dungy's defensive scheme relies on the front four to pressure the quarterback. Simeon Rice certainly wasn't a big reason the Bucs had such a dominant run defense when they did.
Last edited by a moderator:
giantdogs92
Footballguy
You can't run around blocks and throw in a spin move occasionally and expect to get 15 sacks every year, the dude needs to start taking on blocks and maybe the colts won't get run all over any more.
