Colts Freeny put on Injured Reserve

[SirFozzie]

Ouch. yes, I know the Colts signed Simeon Rice to replace him, but considering that Rice couldn't play for the Bucs and Broncos D this year alone, this has to be a step down for a defense that was really good so far this year.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Colts star defensive end Dwight Freeney will miss the rest of the season after being place on injured reserve Wednesday with a foot injury.

Freeney, the three-time Pro Bowler, is the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL. He injured his left foot in Sunday's loss to San Diego and was diagnosed with a Lis Franc injury that may require surgery.

Simeon Rice, who the Colts claimed off waivers Monday from Denver, was expected to practice Wednesday with the team.

Indianapolis also placed backup linebacker Victor Worsley on injured reserve.

Tony Dungy was scheduled to talk about the injuries later Wednesday

[wade moore]

Well crap. I didn't see the whole game Sunday so I didn't even know he was hurt. This is definitely a big blow to a team already really suffering from injury issues.

[Kodos]

This could be a fatal blow for their repeat hopes. I certainly hope I'm wrong, but this one is going to leave a mark.

[Fidatelo]

I think Freeney is over-rated. I'm not saying Rice is better, I'm just saying I don't think this will hurt as much as it might seem at first.

[Greyroofoo]

Ugh, ya see? This is why the Colts don't throw money at defensive players!

[M GO BLUE!!!]

No big deal. After he was hurt, Peyton Manning had two sacks, three picks and a forced fumble to make up for the loss...

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by Fidatelo

I think Freeney is over-rated. I'm not saying Rice is better, I'm just saying I don't think this will hurt as much as it might seem at first.

Read the Pro Football Prospectus.

He was the league leader in hurries last year. He forces most teams to at the very least chip him with a back and most of the times causes double teams with other lineman waiting for his spin.

He isn't overrated at all and this is going to hurt the Colts badly. Their defense will take a major hit with this.

[SirFozzie]

Personally, I think it is bad for the Colts, especially when it comes to a possible rematch with the Pats in the AFC Championship game.. for over a half they got to Brady consistently and that limited the Pats.. the end of the game where it was better, they had great pass protection.

Missing Freeny will hamstring their pass rush on the end.

[jeff061]

As a Pats fan I'd argue that he was not overrated. Hate that guy.

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by Ronnie Dobbs2

If he's not 100% by week 17, they move from my Super Bowl favorite in the AFC to out in the divisional round. I think he's that good.

He's on IR, he can't play again this year.

[Big Fo]

Damn, now the NFL officially changes from a two team league to a one team league. Congrats New England.

[Buccaneer]

Originally Posted by Ronnie Dobbs2

Yeah, I know. Just trying to have some fun with Troy.

http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/...5&postcount=29

oh snap

[PilotMan]

Originally Posted by jeff061

As a Pats fan I'd argue that he was not overrated. Hate that guy.

You and Brian (Pats) ought to switch teams in the eNFL. Both of you are controlling teams you hate in real life. Funny how that works out.

[st.cronin]

I don't know anything about PilotMan, but his signature is awesome.

[jeff061]

Originally Posted by PilotMan

You and Brian (Pats) ought to switch teams in the eNFL. Both of you are controlling teams you hate in real life. Funny how that works out.

Yeah, but I did dump Manning after a year. A trade which single handily set up a decade+ long run . And of course replaced him with Brady as my franchise QB during that run.

Course now I'm in the dumper.

[gottimd]

How ironic that Dwight Freeney goes on the IR and someone else named Freeny goes on the IR the same day.

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by Ronnie Dobbs2

Yeah, I know. Just trying to have some fun with Troy.

http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/...5&postcount=29

I still think an unhealthy Seymour could cost the Patriots. The offense is nice. But a couple of key injuries or an "off" day can blow that up. The defense wll likely be required to win a game in the playoffs. Seymour is still huge in that regard. If he's not healthy, I think it could pose problems for the front line.

It's funny, in that thread I heard so much about how good Warren and Worfolk were and how teams were as concerned with them as they were with Seymour. Then I watch that Colts game and the Colts double teamed Seymour on about 65% of all plays.

A guy coming off a serious injury gets the vast majority of the double teams. I think THEY think he's a big key to the defense.

It's moot now. He did come back and he looked as good as ever in the Indy game.

[Daimyo]

It sucks that this Colts team has been so decimated by injury because it really was the best Colt's team ever. Healthy I think the Colts this year were every bit as good as New England and it would have been a pretty awesome playoff matchup.

[jeff061]

Originally Posted by TroyF

It's funny, in that thread I heard so much about how good Warren and Worfolk were and how teams were as concerned with them as they were with Seymour. Then I watch that Colts game and the Colts double teamed Seymour on about 65% of all plays.

Warren isn't having the year he did last year. But Wilfork is still one of the top two nose tackles in the league.

[Castlerock]

Originally Posted by jeff061

As a Pats fan I'd argue that he was not overrated. Hate that guy.

No kidding. The guy is great. Sorry to see him go down. But the Colts are still a very good football team. I would not be so quick to count them out.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Originally Posted by Ronnie Dobbs2

If he's not 100% by week 17, they move from my Super Bowl favorite in the AFC to out in the divisional round. I think he's that good.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Originally Posted by TroyF

I still think an unhealthy Seymour could cost the Patriots. The offense is nice. But a couple of key injuries or an "off" day can blow that up. The defense wll likely be required to win a game in the playoffs. Seymour is still huge in that regard. If he's not healthy, I think it could pose problems for the front line.

It's funny, in that thread I heard so much about how good Warren and Worfolk were and how teams were as concerned with them as they were with Seymour. Then I watch that Colts game and the Colts double teamed Seymour on about 65% of all plays.

A guy coming off a serious injury gets the vast majority of the double teams. I think THEY think he's a big key to the defense.

It's moot now. He did come back and he looked as good as ever in the Indy game.

Well, technically, he wasn't back after 6 games, which is what you were driving at.

But regardless, frankly, Seymour could be out the entire season and the Pats would still big favorites to win the SB.

[k0ruptr]

I still think its the colts and pats in the afc championship game.

[flere-imsaho]

At least as surprising as hearing the news about Freeney on IR was learning exactly how far Simeon Rice has fallen. I guess I don't follow the Bucs at all, but before I read this I imagined him still in TB, rushing QBs.

Originally Posted by TroyF

I still think an unhealthy Seymour could cost the Patriots. The offense is nice. But a couple of key injuries or an "off" day can blow that up.

That's true for almost any team, though.

The defense wll likely be required to win a game in the playoffs. Seymour is still huge in that regard. If he's not healthy, I think it could pose problems for the front line.

I don't deny Seymour's contribution to the defense, but I'm not certain the Pats defense will be "required" to win a game. If we assume the most likely significant AFC threats in the playoffs are the Colts, Pittsburgh and San Diego then I'd say yes, the defense will be important, especially against the Colts and the Chargers (assuming Norv starts running LT more) (as an aside, I think the defense can shut down Big Ben), but Brady & Co can easily hang 30+ on the Steelers or Chargers, and have just shown how they can beat the Colts. And they'll be at home.

A guy coming off a serious injury gets the vast majority of the double teams. I think THEY think he's a big key to the defense.

I think they thought he was a big key to the pass rush, which is a subtle, but important, distinction. Look, Seymour's obviously a great player and a great pass-rusher, and his ability to put pressure on the QB helps the rest of the Pats D in a lot of ways. But I think it's clear that this defense has, for years, hinged on the versatility and intelligent play by the LBs, which is partly why Thomas was such a big pickup this year. Their ability to disguise the defense and then read and react to the opposing offense is what makes this D succeed or fail.

Originally Posted by k0ruptr

I still think its the colts and pats in the afc championship game.

Yep. I think SD's going to continue to limp through the year, and although the Steelers are looking better and better, I think the Colts can still get by them. We'll see, though, it's still basically only midseason and a lot could happen.

[st.cronin]

Originally Posted by flere-imsaho

But I think it's clear that this defense has, for years, hinged on the versatility and intelligent play by the LBs, which is partly why Thomas was such a big pickup this year. Their ability to disguise the defense and then read and react to the opposing offense is what makes this D succeed or fail.

flere gets it.