As the Indianapolis Colts' top defensive playmaker, opponents have dared him to beat the double-teams and chip blocks. Now, stopping the Colts' defensive line isn't that easy.
Freeney's season has been more about fitting in than standing out, thanks to teammate Robert Mathis.
"I think I'm getting a little more single blocking due to Robert on the other side,'' Freeney said Tuesday. "It's harder to decide who to double.''
Freeney likes it this way because opponents now face a tricky proposition.
Block Freeney one-on-one, and he can blow past offensive linemen before a quarterback can set up. Double-team Freeney, and Mathis can get there just as fast.
The combination has helped the Colts take the AFC lead in sacks (41). Only the Philadelphia Eagles have more with 42.
"I think having Robert has helped Dwight, but Dwight helps all the guys,'' coach Tony Dungy said. "Dwight's gotten a lot more single blocking than he's had in a long while.''
Freeney expected the extra blockers.
After producing a franchise-record 13 sacks in eight starts as a rookie, Freeney returned last year prepared to face more double teams. He still finished with 11 sacks and became the Colts' first Pro Bowler on defense since linebacker Duane Bickett in 1987.
This year, Freeney continued refining his techniques by adding more power to complement his speed and spin moves.
But Mathis' emergence and the extra pressure inside from Raheem Brock and Montae Reagor have forced opponents to alter their strategy.
The result has been a blockbuster year for the entire line.
Freeney, who leads the NFL with 13 sacks, has three more games to break his franchise mark and already has become the first Colts player with three straight seasons of double-digit sacks.
Mathis, Brock and Reagor have all topped their previous career totals.
Mathis, a second-year player from Alabama A&M, ranks third in the NFL with 10{ sacks _ tripling last year's output. Brock (5{ sacks) has nearly doubled his combined total from 2001 and 2002, and Reagor, a six-year veteran, has five. He had 4{ sacks in the previous five seasons.
"I don't think anybody realizes we have that many sacks, and that's OK,'' Freeney said. "We'll fly low under the radar screen and just continue to make plays.''
The Associated Press
Freeney's season has been more about fitting in than standing out, thanks to teammate Robert Mathis.
"I think I'm getting a little more single blocking due to Robert on the other side,'' Freeney said Tuesday. "It's harder to decide who to double.''
Freeney likes it this way because opponents now face a tricky proposition.
Block Freeney one-on-one, and he can blow past offensive linemen before a quarterback can set up. Double-team Freeney, and Mathis can get there just as fast.
The combination has helped the Colts take the AFC lead in sacks (41). Only the Philadelphia Eagles have more with 42.
"I think having Robert has helped Dwight, but Dwight helps all the guys,'' coach Tony Dungy said. "Dwight's gotten a lot more single blocking than he's had in a long while.''
Freeney expected the extra blockers.
After producing a franchise-record 13 sacks in eight starts as a rookie, Freeney returned last year prepared to face more double teams. He still finished with 11 sacks and became the Colts' first Pro Bowler on defense since linebacker Duane Bickett in 1987.
This year, Freeney continued refining his techniques by adding more power to complement his speed and spin moves.
But Mathis' emergence and the extra pressure inside from Raheem Brock and Montae Reagor have forced opponents to alter their strategy.
The result has been a blockbuster year for the entire line.
Freeney, who leads the NFL with 13 sacks, has three more games to break his franchise mark and already has become the first Colts player with three straight seasons of double-digit sacks.
Mathis, Brock and Reagor have all topped their previous career totals.
Mathis, a second-year player from Alabama A&M, ranks third in the NFL with 10{ sacks _ tripling last year's output. Brock (5{ sacks) has nearly doubled his combined total from 2001 and 2002, and Reagor, a six-year veteran, has five. He had 4{ sacks in the previous five seasons.
"I don't think anybody realizes we have that many sacks, and that's OK,'' Freeney said. "We'll fly low under the radar screen and just continue to make plays.''
The Associated Press
