The biggest concern facing the Indianapolis Colts defense isn’t Drew Brees. It’s will Dwight Freeney be available Sunday and if so how effective can he be?
Freeney has been walking in the sand along the beach outside of the team’s hotel and says his injured left ankle is improving. It’s possible he’ll try to practice on Friday, but even if he doesn’t, don’t rule him out of Sunday’s Super Bowl. The bigger question is how effective can he be?
Freeney’s game relies on his speed and quickness. His ability to use his spin move against offensive lineman has to be significantly diminished no matter how much improvement there is between now and Sunday. You know he’ll go if he can and he’ll be taped tighter than Beyonce at the Grammy’s, but he won’t be at his best.
That means left end Robert Mathis will be faced with the challenge of carrying a bigger load as far as putting pressure on Brees is concerned. And even if Freeney plays Raheem Brock will see a lot of playing time spelling Freeney.
The Colts also have rookie cornerback Jerraud Powers battling a left foot injury, but he says he’ll be ready to go. Don’t be surprised to see Brees take his shots at Powers on the opening couple of series of the game. A rookie with an foot injury in a big game is just too inviting of a target.
What does the Indy defense need most to help their team beat New Orleans? How about an early 10 pt. lead from Peyton Manning and the offense. If they can play with a lead, they get to play with a more aggressive style and the absence or diminished capabilities of Freeney will mean less.
Make no mistake, with a healthy Freeney the Colts are a much bigger favorite to take home their second Super Bowl title. The pressure now falls on the offense to come up big and the defense to hold it’s own against the Saints.
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