Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE
It seems absurd to think about trading arguably the best defensive player in Indianapolis Colts franchise history just two weeks into the season, but the Colts need to start thinking about it. Dwight Freeney can’t help his high ankle sprain that will likely sideline him yet another week, but for a guy that’s the highest paid player on the team missing games isn’t sitting well with the front office.
GM Ryan Grigson could have dealt Freeney in the offseason, but decided to take a chance on him. Freeney, is entering his last season on his contract and moving to a new position. Many questioned why they didn’t move him when he’s making more than almost half the team combined. Afterall, if they can release Peyton Manning, then no one else would be spared.
Freeney, is coming off of one of his worst seasons last year when he wasn’t much of a factor on a bad 2-14 team. The entire coaching staff was let go and the Colts transitioned into a new hybrid 3-4 scheme. That meant Freeney was moved from his spot of a defensive lineman to a new role of an outside linebacker. Many people including myself wondered how Freeney would adapt to a new position that he’s never played in after excelling for 11 seasons as a defensive end. Why transition him to a new position and pay him $18 million dollars this season when you can move him?
Now, after two weeks and being .500, why not start thinking about moving him?
Freeney, is a free agent next season and we all know unless he takes a significant pay cut he’s not coming back to Indianapolis. The Colts might as well get some value for him now.
The 11-year vet still has some worth for a team that’s still playing the old 4-3 system. Plus, if he doesn’t work out, he’s a free agent and off the books next year anyways. If I’m a team’s GM I’d take a risk at brining a guy that has over 100 career sacks. Only 25 other guys in the history of the NFL have 100 career sacks, so he’s certainly an elite talent.
Freeney, is Indianapolis’ all-time sack leader and ranks third among active players in the NFL for sacks. He has a sack in 76 of his 151 games played with 25 of those games he had a multi-sack game. He’s sacked 50 different quarterbacks in his career and has recorded a sack against 26 of the other 31 NFL teams.
With the pleasant surprise of Jerrell Freeman and the addition of Pat Angerer from injury soon, why keep Freeney? The Colts already lost a second round draft pick next year in the Vontae Davis trade so they could use some more picks.
In my mind before Freeney gets anymore banged up, why not make some calls and see think about moving him? I think he’s got some value and might as well get something in return now before it’s too late.
