Measuring the Loss of Freeney

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

Pro Bowl Proclaimed

Ok, like many of you, I can’t get enough football. I love free agency. I love the Combine. I love the draft. I love training camp. I love the regular season. I love the post season. I love playing Madden. I love fantasy football. (Please note that I did not say I love the pre season. An article to follow on the subject.) But as much as I love the game, as much as I love everything about it and can’t get enough, I can’t ever seem to bring myself to watch a Pro Bowl. I am sure most of you know what I am talking about. And I hate that! I want to like the Pro Bowl! However, the NFL has done its best to make it a meaningless game. And I’m not talking about the critics that say fan votes shouldn’t count because too many times deserving players get left out because of pure volume of Dallas and New York fans. Fans are what make this game great. I am talking about the venue and the rules.

First off, Hawaii? What about the rest of the fans that would love to see all of their favorite players in person. We might be able to afford a ticket, but a plane trip to Hawaii too? Don’t think so! So hats off to the Commissioner this year for bringing the game back to American soil (yes I know Hawaii is a State, but come on, it’s funny and we were all thinking it.

Next, the rules. Can’t hit quarterbacks. Can’t blitz. Can’t use trick plays. Can’t run any type of Defense or offense you want. ??? Make it a real game or make it a fund game. The NFL has taken both those away, and with it any reason for watching.

Then there is the problem of the game having no meaning. Look at what Baseball has done giving home field to in the World Series to the winning league. That is meaning. And who doesn’t like seeing Kobe and LaBron going at it in the NBA All Star Game. It’s just more fun this way.

But, once again, congrats to the commish for correcting the venue and getting it into a time slot when you average fan still cares about the game. Great job!

By: Matthew Walden