For anyone who is paying attention to the Super Bowls coming up on Sunday, I am sure that you have heard the news that the Indianapolis Colst’s star defensive pass rusher Dwight Freeney is out (or at bests way less than 100 percent) for the big game. Some of you care already know, but for those of you who don’t, let me measure for you how big of difference this makes in the game.
The National Football League has now become a passing league for those of you who have not been watching for the last decade. Passes account for around 60 percent of the plays run in an average NFL season. And for some teams, like the Colts and Saints, it can be much more. That means that a pass rush is essential to defending against teams like these. So how much impact can a one guy, like Freeney, have on a team’s defense? Tremendous!
Example: Take a look at the Kansas City Chiefs. In 2007 Jared Allen was still a Chief. There defense, although not stellar, was ranked between 10th and 15th in the league (depending on what stats you include). Every other player on defense consistent, they fell to last or second to last (depending).
Not probative enough, then take a look at this year’s Pro Bowl which did not allow defensive pass rushing. The score was 34 to 41 and the net passing yards were 417 and 418 respectively. Those are pretty ridiculous numbers. And keep in mind that they were able to do this with players they are not use to playing with (no chemistry), out of a limited playbook (few plays and formations), and against the best defensive players in the league.
That is the kind of difference a player and a pass rush can have. So how big is the loss of Freeney to the Colts chances at a Super Bowl? Monumental!
By: Matthew Walden
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