Freeney’s 2006 could be best year yet

By Connor Byrne  |   Wednesday, July 12, 2006  |  Comments( 1 )

Indianapolis Colts
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Despite struggling for much of the last four seasons, the constant of the Indianapolis Colts' defense has always been defensive end Dwight Freeney. Led by the former first-round pick, the unit finally rose out of the depths of the National Football League in 2005, finishing second in points allowed and 11th in yards surrendered en route to a 13-3 season.

The former Syracuse star was criticized by scouts and analysts upon entering the league for being too small, but the 6-1, 268-pounder has done more than enough to prove his detractors wrong. More importantly, though, he's proven the Colts' sensational president, Bill Polian, right.

During his four-year career, the freakishly athletic pass rusher hasn't finished a season under the 11-sack plateau, when he did so in '03 and '05. While that number is Freeney's career-worst, plenty of pro defensive ends dream of tallying that many quarterback takedowns in a season. Freeney has done it despite having to deal with double and triple-teams on a regular basis.

In 2002 and 2004, Freeney amassed a combined total of 29 sacks, with 13 coming in '02 (his rookie season). The wunderkind also set a record for first-year defenders, forcing a whopping nine fumbles. In '04, the Hartford, CT native compiled a league-leading 16 sacks and four more forced fumbles, becoming arguably the most feared end in the game.

With the Colts' candle of high expectations continuing to burn brightly entering the upcoming season, so too should Freeney's. It may as well be a foregone conclusion that the 26-year-old will eclipse the double-digit sack line, as long as he maintains full health. That's never been a problem in his career, so don't expect it to become one now. In fact, Freeney has missed just one regular season game out of a possible 64 - not bad for a defensive lineman, right?

The fact that 2006 is his contract season should motivate Freeney more. Even the most marginal of professional athletes have breakout years when their contracts are about to expire. Expectedly, the stars truly come out to shine during their contract seasons.

Freeney's shined to the tune of 51 sacks and 23 forced fumbles in his career, and could reach the coveted 15-sack mark this season for the second time in his career.

For Indianapolis Colts fans, the possibility of yet another huge campaign from Freeney is excellent to ponder, but it will come at a heavy cost for the team's front office.

However, don't think Polian won't try to lock up his prodigious young rusher. From the executive's days with all-time sack leader Bruce Smith and the Buffalo Bills in the late 1980s and early 1990s, he knows the importance of having a feared, game-changing presence on the defensive line.

--Connor J. Byrne can be reached at cbyrne@realfootball365.com

Get more on Dwight Freeney at Realfootball365.com
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