We haven’t heard the last about Dwight Freeney’s ankle this week, but let’s kill the drama: It would be a shock if he didn’t play.
Signs continued to point upward Wednesday that Freeney will play, and possibly play well. Freeney told the media here that the pain in his ankle is subsiding and feels a little better each day.
Freeney has been walking barefoot and on the Florida sand to strengthen the ankle.
Meanwhile, his teammate Robert Mathis may have given away some Colts strategy Tuesday. Yahoo’s Charles Robinson writes that “Mathis talked about Freeney playing third downs, then abruptly clammed up.“
That plan would make a ton of sense. Freeney’s backup Raheem Brock can play the running downs capably, and Freeney can save his ankle for potential game-changing plays.
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He’ll be fine, it’s just an ankle sprain. He will be taped/braced/drugged. Sorry Saints fans, this injury is a non factor.
Freeny’s ankle is getting better care than any ankle in the world. If all else fails, there are needles. No way in hell he won’t play.
yea we’ll see how long that ankle holds up when tight ends and backs start chipping and cutting him.
lack of pain does not automatically translate into 100% effectiveness. or even 50%.
The only problem with that plan is that the Saints often come at you with a 3rd down package on any down and distance.
If they are planning to use him for what they consider 15 key play situations in the course of the game, that would make sense.
Yea, good thing the Saints only pass on 3rd down. No, wait…
Playing Freeney on 3rd downs only isn’t exactly a secret… the Colts have done it plenty before when he was injured, and would be an obvious logical leap to make. No leak here.
I hope he plays……..I want all the Colts to be healthy and play…….I want no excuses when the beat down ends!!!
Who Dat!
I have no doubt he will play, but just because the pain subsides does not mean he can play at anything near 100%. He has a torn ligament, it is physically impossible for that to actually heal by Sunday, and you can bet that he will be chipped the first play he is in there. Playing only on third downs could be better than not having him in at all, but as a previous person said, the Saints basically use those types of plays on any down, even in short yardage situations.
Is this going to turn into one of those Ben Roethliswhatever stories created to make it seem as if he couldnt possibly play….then he plays….plays as if he isnt hurt….and then pretends to be even better than he is for having a super human performance while on deaths door…….lol
It’s not JUST an ankle sprain. It’s a 3rd degree sprain, which means there is a tear in the ligament.
I don’t know how he can be as effective with that type of injury. Coming off the edge and planting that right ankle from the right end…that is going to be tough.
I just hope it’s a good game.
That’s great news. I want all the players on both teams to be able to play. Otherwise, talks of “we woulda won IF *blank* played” forever. Is anyone major from the Saints hurt?
enough of this “Who Dat!” crap, tuck it in and wait for your beat down!
“BigEasy says:
February 3, 2010 11:39 AM
I hope he plays……..I want all the Colts to be healthy and play…….I want no excuses when the beat down ends!!!
Who Dat!”
I totally agree…except I’m rooting for the Colts, no offense. But I’d be happy for New Orleans if the Saints won, no bad blood or anything.
No excuses either way! Don’t want anyone to win and get an asterisk, know what I mean?
If the Saints win cuz Freeny can’t play or isn’t 100%, y’all shouldn’t have to defend yourselves or whatever. A win is a win. May the best team win.
If the Saints win, I’ll be happy for Who Dat nation (or whatever y’all call yourselves)…that parade would be pretty crazy!
No hate here, buddy. Saints and Colts, no matter what, are great teams and should be favorites next year either way.
Adam – Jeremy Shockey.
As a Saints fan, I hope he plays. The best against best…..and may the best team win.
@bigsleazy
whats going to be funny is you on monday morning when the aints lose it.
The funny part is that you probably won’t show your bigsleazy mouth around here for a a couple of weeks, and it will be a better place as result.
It’s funny, the Colts’ fans and Saints’ fans show respect and class towards each other. The sore losing whiners come in with insults because they’re upset that their team(s) can’t win when it matters.
If it weren’t for them playing the Saints, most of us would be pulling for a native son named Peyton Manning. Kinda like his daddy said, it’s definitely going to sting less if the Colts do end up winning.
If anyone thinks that we’re going to see the same old Freeney you’re delusional. This isn’t like the DeMarcus Ware situation when the Saints played the Cowboys. Ware had a neck injury which was serious, but it didn’t affect his speed and agility. Freeney can tape it, drug it, stabilize it but it won’t change that the nature of the injury requires a much longer period to get back to being even close to normal. He won’t have the same effectiveness. Moreover, if they employ to use him just on 3rd downs which are more likely obvious passing situations, the Saints have a tendency to pass on any down, not just 3rd. Freeney may play but he likely will not have the same impact as if he was not dealing with this injury. Still, the Saints will have their hands full with Brock and Mathis, but the absence of their #1 pass rusher can only help the Saints chances in the passing game.
Keep in mind the Saints lost their starting defensive end Charles Grant during the regular season although you won’t hear any mentions about him weakening the Saints chances on defense.