Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
By James Varney, The Times-Picayune

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. - Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney's ankle injury could force him to miss Sunday's Super Bowl encounter with the New Orleans Saints, multiple media outlets reported Sunday.



Freeney hurt his ankle in the fourth quarter of the AFC championship game. He ran past New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez and then his foot appeared to catch on the turf of Lucas Oil Stadium. Freeney hopped a bit but jogged off the field on his own.
His agent, Gary Wichard, said that Freeney has been getting "nonstop" treatment on his sprained ankle in the hopes of being able to play in Super Bowl XLIV.
NFL.com reported that Freeney had considerable ligament damage in his right ankle. ESPN reported that Freeney had a torn ligament in his right ankle and was unlikely to play.
An unnamed source told the Indianapolis Star that Freeney, the Colts' speed-rushing right end who had 13.5 sacks this season, will "give it a go."
"If Dwight were not to be able to go that would be tough but someone else will step up," Colts quarterback Peyton Manning predicted before the start of Sunday's Pro Bowl.
Freeney also had problems beyond his ankle injury as his camp spent the day tamping down reports he took advantage of his early arrival to party in Miami.
Wichard told Pro Football Talk it was categorically false that his client hosted and attended a party Saturday night.
Time warp? When the Colts players arrive Monday it would be understandable if some felt they were in a time warp. That's exactly the way the organization wants it.
The Colts are trying to follow the precise footsteps they did when they played, and won, Super Bowl XLI in Miami to claim the franchise's second Super Bowl title and first since it moved from Baltimore to Indianapolis.
On that championship run the Colts landed on a Monday, stayed at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale. Furthermore, the Colts will practice at the same facility and, Coach Jim Caldwell said, follow as near as possible the same schedule right up to kickoff.
Last week, however, there was some slight difference of opinion on how to prepare. Manning, saying he was "mentally exhausted" from his preparation for the AFC championship game, lauded the extra week the NFL schedules before the Super Bowl. It would be nearly impossible, Manning said, to prepare thoroughly without it.
On the other hand, Caldwell wanted last week to unfold as if the Colts were playing another game on Sunday and he strove to make it, "as much like a normal game week as possible," according to the Colts official Web site.
To that end, after the Colts held an informational meeting Tuesday, players said Wednesday's practice was the same as if they were playing four days later. The installation of the game plan and three days of practice followed, and the team stuck to its normal schedule of meeting with the media.
In that respect, offensive tackle Charlie Johnson said, "it is going to feel weird not having to play."
One other wrinkle was thrown into the Colts plan by the NFL holding the Pro Bowl in Miami on Sunday night instead of in Hawaii after the Super Bowl. That meant the Colts players who had been named to the Pro Bowl - Manning, tight end Dallas Clark, receiver Reggie Wayne, center Jeff Saturday, defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, and safety Antoine Bethea - were supposed to be in Miami, With the exception of Freeney, who had been excused from the game for treatment of his ankle injury, the Colts, like their Saints counterparts who would have represented the NFC, arrived in town ahead of the teams.
On the sideline before the game, Manning told ESPN he always enjoyed the Pro Bowl and had developed friendships with a number of AFC players. But he wasn't under any illusions about its place in the football universe.
"This is a fun evening," he said. "Obviously I'm excited, but we'll have a real game next week."
Manning also stuck by his earlier assessment that the Super Bowl requires additional preparation, and he characterized the Saints as "a tough team to get to know.
"I feel good about our start, but I think you have to use the entire time to get prepared," he said. "It's important not to peak too early."

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

gee that would be terrible..lol

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

They're always trying to trick us into "NOT" preparing for these guys. Yeah, rite!

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

Even if he plays I think he will be limited. I am telling you this is huge. They are already banged up defensively- it would be like us losing WS right before this game. Huge- IMHO

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

I wholeheartedly agree. This is HUGE. With Freeney hampered, and his spin move, pretty much a no go, we double team the other side, and Brees has major protection the entire game.

Not to mention, their run defense is already suspect. This will open up alot of holes to run through, help us with clock control, and keeping Manning and that offense off the field.

This could be a complete game changer. IMO.

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

2nd best player on the Colts...... his play is also predicated on speed and agility, so this is a HUGE injury for him.

Good for the Saints, but bad to see a team potentially lose an impact player like that even if it is the competition. :doh:

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

We'll see as the week progresses and the start of the game what the real story is. If he's out we can probably play more 4 and 5 wide receiver sets don't have to always max-protect Brees' blind side like we did vs Vikings Jared Allen.

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

Freeney's health becomes an issue | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star

Thought this was interesting, if true

Treatment,'' Miller wrote, "usually involves immobilizing the ankle in a cast or walking brace for up to six weeks. This degree of sprain requires eight-12 months to allow the ligament to properly heal.''

Read more guys if you desire

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

Great!!! More excuses for when we beat them!!!!:brood:

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

Good, none of it matters after the fact. I only want to win, and I'll take any advantage

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

1.) Our run defense is not suspect. You are stuck in previous years. We just held the two best running offenses to 87 YPG in our playoff games, and we contained Maurice Jones Drew and Chris Johnson 4 times in the regular season.

2.) Freeney is a liability to the Colts run defense. Having him out will hurt the Colts, but it will help us against the run. Dwight has improved, but we're used to seeing 3 or 4 plays a game where dwight is in the backfield and a run play to his side gets 6-7 yards.

Also, Reggie Wayne said he'll play, and the ligiment is NOT torn.

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

WOW!!!! Didn't realize RW had his PHD!!!???:doh:

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

From a "Football" perspective (and of course I'm hoping he can't play or is limited for obvious Saints-related reasons), I read the injury happened because he pulled up early to keep from hitting "Sanchize" in the AFC Championship game.

I'd say the Colts would be happy to take that 15 yard penalty in retrospect. The NFL rules babying QB's have simply gone too far.

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

they can throw all the excuses they want as long as we bring home the trophy

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

Really? Have you asked Chris Johnson how suspect it is? have you asked Ray Rice or either of the Jets RB how "suspect it is"? The Saints don't have anyone close to the talent of a Chris Johnson, or a overall running game on the level of the Jets or Ravens, so keep thinking we are suspect as you finish with less then 75 total yards rushing for the night.

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

yes mr 4192 we may land up with 80 or 90 yards but the passing game will make up the lessor, if payton opens up the passing game which he kept unwraped much of the year, then watch for p.t. to tame your big pitbulls from the outsides on masterful hiden screens that will put the running backs into unheard of all purpose yards which could give a rats ass on the running yardage. all that said you may want to sit d. freeny

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

We shut down a very good Cardinal passing game on their own field. You guys will score, but I don't see you putting up more then 28 pts.

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

man i think we'll have to if were going to win this game. i said early last week we'll need the same points or more to win the superbowl.its going to be a shootout like c. berman wants. the #2 de in the nfl could not get to drew, they bother him but handled them enough to win the nfc championship

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

The colts have no chance, they are weak against the run, they haven't played anyone, manning is overrated, colts can't run, freeney is hurt and drew will have all day, no special teams, colts have a polian hand puppet for a coach, the refs give them all the calls, they are soft finesse bunch of wussies, and lastly, the saints are the best team of all time.

Saints 52

Colts 3 (maybe)

Feel better guys? That's what you want to hear, isn't it?

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

Hey.....Quit selling us short

Saints 63
Ponies 3

lol

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

I think the defenses of both teams might surprise people.

I think it's gonna turn out to be a fairly close game... and that it's not gonna be a huge offensive shootout.

I am wrong about SOMETHING every day... and this might be one of those... but I got a feeling... 35-28, 28-24, something like that.

I don't think the over/under is 90 this week.

I'll come back after the game and take my ridicule if I am wrong.

Just a guess.

Jabba

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

No the saints won because of 5, count them 5 Vikings turnovers. You remove the late viking penalty of to many men in the huddle which forces Brett to force the 5th TO, and I bet you the Vikings hit that FG and it Brett going to the SB, not the Saints. The Vikings shot themselves in the foot, the Saints didn't beat them.

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

word to your mutter, 3 points. manning must have been put out of the game early. i would believe it if the #2 q.b. had to play

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

yea saintfan i wish zooey were a cheerleader for the saints, just saw the happening

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

Wow. Clueless in indy? Did you even watch that game? We played the "if" game in another thread. If the Saints recover those fumbles, if we hold onto a few more passes to convert first downs, if Porter runs outside after the INT, if this if that etc, etc, etc for instance the Vikes never get a chance at the end of the game. Is this how you reason the Colts losses????

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

What colts losses? You mean the two games they laid down?

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

indy i'm going to tell you this 1 time the saints were the better team they won the damm game and were in the bowl dude, and there is'nt no guarantee that he makes a 50 plus yarder with the crowd effect ,no dude its no sure thing man, your just a hater like the rest, sorry. you play to win the game, turn overs are dealt in these games,they are stats of the game bro.

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

No I mean games such as:

NFL Playoffs - 2008 Wild Card - San Diego Chargers vs. Indianapolis Colts - ESPN

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

Haha...seriously? I wouldn't start bringing up previous seasons if I were you considering the Saints history. You can call the Colts whatever you want, playoff chokers, whatever but the fact would still be we have won more than the Saints even with the post season woes we've had...

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

Just like if New England gets two more yards on that 4th down.....none of that **** matters now...we made it and so did yall...now we get to see whos better..

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

sounds like indy got a problem with us being in miami, seems hes a little worried. that this team can spoil the show.

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

Just bring your safeties up into the box to try and stop the Saints run game. Drew Brees will be licking his chops on that one.

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

Exactly. Why do people continue to debate who's better before the game? No one is going to change anyone else's mind. It's like listening to a couple of kids bicker back and forth.

Will all this debating change what happens on the field? Perhaps we should all step away from the computer, go outside, have relations, play video games, or whatever. Sometimes this crap is ridiculous. (for both teams fans) Come back sunday night and either cry or celebrate.

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

Read the thread. That isn't even close to what was being discussed. Indy4192 was making excuses for Minny losing the game last week. Just curious if he/she saw it the same through his/her colored glasses.

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

They did, the call was bad

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

Normally, I'd wish for a speedy recovery on Freeney's part, but if he doesn't play Sunday, I won't be sad. Muahaha! ;)

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

No bro, but don't you understand football? If you are balanced each opens up the other. Each team you just named has issues throwing the ball. Good luck playing a balanced offense

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

:doh:...i know..lol

Re: Dwight Freeney, star defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, may miss Super Bowl XLIV with serious ankle injury
 

You might be right. Except for one things. The Vikes were a much better team than anyone you played in the playoffs. And besides, the Saints caused those turnovers by stripping the ball. Last time I checked, fumbles were a legitimate part of football.

Get a clue!