2 for the loss of 1

With the Super Bowl approaching, the Colts may be without one of their most valuable weapons. Usually that intro would have you worried about Peyton Manning, but if you have watched any sports t.v. you probably know that it is Dwight Freeney. If you haven't watched any sports t.v., don't worry it's not Peyton. But after this question was posed to me today, "Nathan why is everyone making a big deal about Freeney, the Colts still have Peyton", I felt that I needed to point out why Freeney is so important to the success of the Colts this Sunday.

While Peyton is running for his life on the offensive side of the ball, this is very likely seeing as how the Saints are vicious in the pass rush, the Colts defense will be looking to contain the high-powered Saints offense. To slow down that quick-hitting passing game and the off-tackle running game the Colts defensive will have to get pressure from the corners. This is something that hasn't been a problem for the Indy this year. With Freeney and Robert Mathis as the bookends to this very talented and undersized defensive ends the Colts have pressured quarterbacks and contained runners. Ah, but there is the rub. Depending on what report you believe Freeney has either torn tendons in his ankle, or a grade three basketball sprain. Either way he is doubtful for the Super Bowl. Big problem. Without Freeney, the Saints will have a variety of options to maximize their offense's huge potential. The first potential option is that without the threat of Freeney coming from the right side, the Saints will not have to move a running back, or tight end over to help giving Drew Brees another route in the passing game. Another possibility, if the Colts choose to move Mathis to the right side, in order to rush Brees' blindside, you can put the back over there to pick up Mathis rendering him practically useless. Now you have neutralized the Colts' pass rush, and give Drew Brees enough time to figure out the economy and throw touchdown passes. (This option is the one I see as the most valuable to the Saints, thus the name of tonight's column.) But there is another unexplored option here. And that is the effect that this will have on the screen and running game of the Saints. Without Freeney, the Saints can exploit the corner in the running game. With the Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas both capable of turning the corner and turning screens into big gains this will be a valuable asset in New Orleans offense. Freeney's speed on the outside could stretch a run out enough for a linebacker or safety to get to the edge and make a play. But if the Saints run and throw screen passes away from Mathis they will be able to trap the linebackers by not having to double the end.

There is a very big wrench that can be thrown into this whole Saints-a-palooza. That is the fact that Dwight Freeney is hell bent on playing. He has shown already once this season that he has the ability to come back quickly from injury. If he does play, who knows how explosive he will be. His game is based on speed rushes and spin moves. I am not sure how serious the injury is, but there is no argument that it is bad. We will have to see just how ready he is. Live like no one is watching and explore all of the options!