Posts tagged Dwight Freeney
Looking Forward at the 2011 Colts Defensive Ends
Feb 2nd
Robert Mathis looks on against the New York Jets during the 2011 AFC wild card playoff game. (Jonathan Daniel | Getty Images)
Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis continued to be the NFL’s most dominant defensive end tandem in 2010. Their propensity for pressuring, hitting, sacking, and stripping the quarterback of the football will go down in league history as one of the most intimidating pass rushing units out of the 4-3 defense.
Many hoped that 2010 first round pick Jerry Hughes would immediately step in to bolster Indy’s pass rush, including Colts President Bill Polian, but Hughes did not become a meaningful part of the defense as a rookie. What his future holds is uncertain. While some might believe that Polian’s admission that he should have selected offensive tackle Rodger Saffold in the draft is an indictment of Hughes, coaches and members of the front office have all suggested that slow learning curves are not uncommon for defensive ends transitioning to the NFL. More >
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Forecasting the Colts 2011 Defensive Tackles
Feb 1st
Antonio "Mookie" Johnson tackles Titans running back Chris Johnson. (Andy Lyons | Getty Images)
The Indianapolis Colts have historically had difficulty putting together a group of defensive tackles that are capable of fulfilling their responsibilities in the Tampa-2 defensive scheme. In this scheme, the nose tackle — 1-technique tackle — is asked to be a space-filling, line holding run stuffer. The under tackle — 3-technique tackle — is asked to penetrate the offensive line to disrupt running lanes on the way to the quarterback. For many years the biggest weakness amongst Indy’s interior defensive linemen has been a lack of size. This resulted in opponents running the ball relentlessly off of their centers and guards, right through the middle of the Colts defensive line.
A lot has changed. Now Antonio Johnson, Daniel Muir, and Fili Moala all surpass the 300-pound mark. Only Johnson is well-suited to play nose tackle, while Muir and Moala are reasonably sized 3-technique tackles in a 4-3 defensive front — Muir had great success in 2009 and Moala showed marked improvement in 2010. Ricardo Mathews and Eric Foster are used situationally on passing downs and are better suited for the under tackle role. Foster moves outside to defensive end in run packages — Mathews may do the same in 2011. More >
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Wednesday Injury Report: Jets v. Colts
Jan 5th
Today’s injury report is a bit discouraging – although Coach Caldwell denied reports that Clint Session suffered any setbacks, the fact that he was full two days last week, then went limited last Friday and a no-show today indicates that he is unlikely to play on Saturday. Kelvin Hayden’s non-participation is also a bad sign. It is good, however, to get Al Afalava back – if nothing more than for depth.
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
OT Ryan Diem (Back)
DE Dwight Freeney (Rest)
CB Kelvin Hayden (Neck)
DE Robert Mathis (Rest)
S Mike Newton (Hamstring)
RB Dominic Rhodes (Hip)
OG Jamey Richard (Concussion)
LB Clint Session (Elbow)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
DT Antonio Johnson (Chest)
FULL PARTICIPATION
DB Al Afalava (Ankle)
DT Dan Muir (Chest)
OG Jaimie Thomas (Ankle)
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...
A Fan Salute to the 2010 Indianapolis Colts
Jan 5th
A true Colts fan salute. (Andy Lyons | Getty Images)
With a win against the Titans, the Colts managed to overcome unprecedented team injuries and their worst five game series since 2002 for a NFL record (tie) ninth consecutive playoff berth, and their seventh AFC South Championship in the last eight years. Peyton Manning was able to get through his toughest stretch of games since his rookie year and somehow Indy has managed to enter January with the three seed in the AFC.
It is extremely important for Colts fans to step back and think about the gravity of this accomplishment. Frankly, this team had no business overcoming all of the adversity it has faced in a sixteen game season. More >
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Thursday Injury Report: Titans v. Colts
Dec 30th
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Today’s injury report is encouraging for Mike Hart and Clint Session, but not for Kelvin Hayden. Despite Irsay’s tweet yesterday to not read too much into the injury report, the fact that Hayden hasn’t even practiced in a limited capacity this week speaks to his likely status (of OUT) for Sunday’s game.
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
DB Al Alfalava (Ankle)
CB Kelvin Hayden (Neck)
DE Robert Mathis (Rest)
DT Dan Muir (Chest)
OG Jamie Thomas (Ankle)
FULL PARTICIPATION
DT Eric Foster (Upper Arm)
DE Dwight Freeney (Rest)
RB Mike Hart (Ankle)
LT Charlie Johnson (Groin)
LB Clint Session (Forearm)
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...
Wednesday Injury Report: Titans v. Colts
Dec 29th
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Today’s injury report is not nearly as long as other weeks’ reports… in part due to the fact that most guys who aren’t available are already on IR. The other factor, of course, is that the Colts are now at the point of win-or-go-home. Players are going to be practicing if they can.
The best news on this report is that Clint Session is back full today. In an earlier press conference, he indicated that he had made a big jump in terms of his health.
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
DB Al Alfalava (Ankle)
DE Dwight Freeney (Rest)
CB Kelvin Hayden (Neck)
LT Charlie Johnson (Groin)
DT Dan Muir (Chest)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
DT Eric Foster (Upper Arm)
FULL PARTICIPATION
RB Mike Hart (Ankle)
LB Clint Session (Forearm)
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...
Wednesday Injury Report: Colts v. Raiders
Dec 22nd
By now it’s been widely reported that WR Austin Collie has been placed on IR, and while we will miss him sorely, it is a move that is being applauded around the league, not the least of whom by the Colts fans, who know how much more difficult a playoff run will be without him.
Get well, Austin!
There is some encouraging injury news today, though, as Joseph Addai returned FULL to practice! Mike Hart and Clint Session also saw some practice time. Their status for the game is uncertain, but it’s nice to see that there may be a chance for them to return.
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
Al Alfalava (Ankle)
DE Dwight Freeney (Rest)
LB Tyjuan Hagler (Illness)
CB Kelvin Hayden (Neck)
LT Charlie Johnson (Groin)
DT Dan Muir (Chest)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
TE Brody Eldridge (Rib)
RB Mike Hart (Ankle)
LB Clint Session (Forearm)
FULL PARTICIPATION
RB Joseph Addai (Shoulder)
DE Dwight Freeney (Rest)
DB Mike Newton (Neck)
LG Jamey Richard (Hip)
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...
Thursday Injury Report: Jaguars v. Colts
Dec 16th
The injury report is getting cleaner, and not a moment too soon. It appears that Austin Collie is headed for a return, as is Kelvin Hayden. The Colts will need as much fire power as they can get with what amounts to their 2nd playoff game of the 2010 season coming up (I counted last week’s game as the 1st because it was at that point).
Phil B. Wilson of Indy Star that we will see Joseph Addai, Mike Hart, Charlie Johnson or Clint Session on Sunday in anything other than track suits.
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
RB Mike Hart (Ankle)
LT Charlie Johnson (Chest)
DE Robert Mathis (Rest)
LG Jamey Richard (Hip)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
RB Joseph Addai (Shoulder)
DT Fili Moala (Knee)
LB Clint Session (Forearm)
FULL PARTICIPATION
WR Austin Collie (Concussion)
TE Brody Eldridge (Rib)
DE Dwight Freeney (Rest)
CB Kelvin Hayden (Neck)
TE Jacob Tamme (Knee)
OG Jaimie Thomas (Illness)
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...
Wednesday Injury Report: Colts vs. Jaguars
Dec 15th
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
LG Jamey Richard (Hip)
LT Charlie Johnson (Chest)
TE Brody Eldridge (Rib)
RB Mike Hart (Ankle)
DT Fili Moala (Knee)
OG Jaimie Thomas (Illness)
DE Dwight Freeney (Rest)
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...
Quick Posts: Colts Inactives – IND @ TEN
Dec 9th
The following players have had a determination made concerning their availability for today’s matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
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