Brian Spurlock-USA Today
On Friday the Indianapolis Colts announced that they have parted ways with defensive end, Dwight Freeney. After 10 seasons with the Colts, Freeney who has played in 163 career games, racked up 107.5 sacks, and 258 tackles. In 2012, Freeney played in 14 games and collected 5 sacks, and 10 tackles.
Now that Freeney is a free agent, you can bet there will be a number of teams after his services, and you can also bet that Freeney will want to play for a contender, considering he’s coming to an end in his career. An ideal location for Freeney could very well be with his old pal, Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. The Broncos could use more help on the defensive line to accommodate the presence of fellow defensive end, Elvis Dumervil, and linebacker Von Miller, who together racked up 29.5 sacks in 2012.
The Broncos defense, which was exposed in the AFC Divisional playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens , can use a pass rusher to help carry the Broncos to their ultimate goal, which is a Super Bowl championship, and Denver is the best destination for Freeney to give him 1 more ring before closing out his career.
The Broncos defense finished the 2012 regular season with the #2 overall defense, they ranked #3 in pass defense, and rushing defense, and also finished with a league high, 52 sacks. The only weak spot the Broncos defense showed was in their secondary, which after the game against the Ravens, everyone knows needs help. With the addition of Freeney, it can do nothing but help the Broncos defensive line, and strengthen their chances for a championship run.
The idea of Freeney, Dumervil, and Miller would frighten any quarterback and put pressure on any offense. The addition of Freeney would also help take pressure off the secondary and perhaps make a lot of offenses try to run the ball more, which would play perfectly into Denver’s hands. For Freeney to win, there is a great chance to do so with Denver, and Broncos Country would welcome Freeney with open arms, and so would his potential fellow teammates with the Broncos. It wouldn’t take much for the Broncos to convince Freeney to play with them, considering he would be back with Manning, and also going to an already superb defense.
Has Freeney lost his luster that he once had as one of the most feared pass rushers in the leauge? Perhaps, but this maybe just what he needs to resurrect him as a feared pass rusher again and help him finish his career as a first ballot Hall of Fame player. There has been talk of Charles Woodson coming to Denver as well, but Freeney would be the best addition of the two. Denver already has an aged cornerback with Champ Bailey, and Woodson has shown wear, and tear on him as well, but the Broncos best chances of boosting their secondary would be in the draft.
As if teams already don’t fear the Broncos defense, they will fear them even more with Freeney, and the Broncos will replace the Patriots in talks of being the AFC’s best team. Nobody can deny the talent the Broncos have on both sides of the ball, and nobody can deny they would be better with Freeney.
I feel the Patriots will make a push to obtain Freeney, and perhaps even Woodson, but if you were to ask Freeney himself, I’m sure he would say he’d rather be back playing with Manning, and may even say the Broncos have the better chance of the two. Besides, I know I’m not the only one that is tired of the Patriots being at the top, am I? It’s time to knock them off of their perch and talk about a new top dog in the AFC.
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