Contrary to popular opinion this season (popular opinion consisting of the media, fans, coaches, etc.; including Sean Salisbury, who seems to be the president of the fan clubs of both the Colts and Mr. Freeney), Dwight Freeney is not the best defensive player in the NFL, let alone the AFC.  He isn’t even the best defensive lineman in the AFC, or arguably, on his own team.  I can’t comprehend why he’s considered better than teammate Robert Mathis, who has more sacks, tackles, forced turnovers, and has flat out impressed me more than Dwight this season.  Yes, maybe Freeney is making Mathis a better player because he is drawing so much attention from the opposing offense, but Mathis has to keep up his end of the bargain as well, and I think he’s doing so at a higher level than Mr. Freeney. 

I believe the following players are better defensive lineman than Freeney and they have proven it with their level of play:  AFC: Richard Seymour (NE), Marcus Stroud & John Henderson (Jax), Jared Allen (KC), Jason Taylor (Mia), Terrell Suggs (Bal), Derrick Burgess (Oak); NFC: Adewale Ogunleye & Alex Brown (Chi), Michael Strahan & Osi Umenyiora (NYG), Simeon Rice (TB), Patrick Kerney (Atl), and Julius Peppers (Car). 

Dwight is a glorified pass rush specialist and I cannot understand for the life of me why he gets as much credit as he does (it must be the association with Peyton Manning and the media love fest that is the Indianapolis Colts).  I would actually appreciate it if somebody could give some solid reasons why I should consider him a better player than (just to pick one random defensive lineman who I consider a similar player to Dwight) Jared Allen of the Chiefs.  After watching both Freeney and Allen play this season, I think that they are very similar players in a myriad of ways.  They both have great motors and great moves to get pass their opponents’ blocking schemes.  They both have the potential to make game changing plays.  However, Jared Allen has more sacks than the vaunted Dwight Freeney (Allen has 10 to Freeney’s 9.5), he has 7 forced fumbles to Dwight Freeney’s 5, and he has 47 tackles to Freeney’s 29.  If somebody can give me a legitimate argument for Dwight here, I’m all ears. 

Some other problems I have with Dwight Freeney being labeled the best defensive player (or defensive lineman) in the AFC include the fact that he is taken out of the game for certain downs.  If a player was truly the best player at his position or on his side of the ball altogether wouldn’t it make sense to best utilize him by having him in there on every down?  Also, he has had a few games this year in which he hasn’t shown up at all.  In week 5, against the San Francisco 49ers and their depleted offensive line (minus Jonas Jennings and others), he tallied one whole tackle (it was a sack).  In weeks 9, 11, and 14 (against the Patriots, Bengals, and Jaguars respectively – probably the best opponents the Colts have faced this season) Dwight put up a donut in every single defensive category possible.  His performances were so forgettable in fact, that on a certain web site, his game log for those weeks says “did not play”. 

As I stated before, the fact that Freeney is widely thought of as the best defensive player on his team really boggles my mind.  I understand that Freeney has had a great impact on the improvement of the Colts defense, however it is a team effort, and 3 players (in addition to a 4^th who I have already mentioned, Robert Mathis) have impressed me more this season.  Gary Brackett is playing middle linebacker for the Colts at an extremely high level this season and he is 11^th in the NFL (8^th in the AFC) in tackles.  He also has two interceptions and is playing like he is the true leader of the defense.  Bob Sanders has taken on the role of leader on the Colts and has stepped his game up to a higher level this season.  He has 80 tackles with a forced fumble and a pick, but more importantly, he has been a strong influence in the improvement of what was the weakest area of the Colts’ D, the secondary.  Opposing wide receivers now fear going over the middle against the Colts and Bob is a big reason why.  Last but certainly not least, is one of my finalists for AFC defensive player of the year.  Cato June has been one of the biggest playmakers on either side of the ball in the entire league this season.  He brings a whole different element to the Colts defense with his speed and instinct for the ball.  June has 92 tackles (27^th in the NFL) as well as 5 interceptions (good for a tie for 7^th in the NFL) and 2 touchdowns (which has him in a tie for 1^st in the NFL). 

I think the award for defensive player of the year should reward the player who has the most impact on their respective team’s games on every down, week in/week out, not only with their statistics, but also with their leadership and smarts.  That being said, my three finalists for AFC defensive player of the year are as follows: Cato June (Ind), Troy Polamalu (Pitt), and Odell Thurman (Cincy).  These guys are true leaders and playmakers with classic gamebreaking ability.  I have already stated my case for Cato June.  Polamalu doesn’t have stats that will blow you away (72 tackles, 2 picks), but if you watch this guy play, you will see the light.  I think I’m most impressed with Thurman’s level of play this season given the fact that he came in as a rookie to man the position of inside linebacker for one of the best teams in the league, and helped to improve their defense 2-fold.  He has put up some impressive statistics as well with 89 tackles (good for 30^th in the NFL), 5 forced fumbles (4^th - NFL), and 5 interceptions (7^th) with 1 TD (t-5^th).  I am still open to reasons why I should consider Dwight Freeney the best defensive player/best defensive lineman in the NFL, AFC, or even on the Colts, so if you feel so inclined, please enlighten me. 

 

 
Coming soon… other thoughts and evaluations of the NATIONAL Football League as playoff time draws nearer.