On the night of Dec. 20, 2004, Jonathan Ogden was a beaten man.
Time and time again, Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney flew by the Baltimore Ravens? 10-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman, registering two sacks and a slew of pass rushes in a 20-10 victory at the RCA Dome.
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When the two met in the 2005 season opener at M&T Bank Stadium, Ogden got his revenge, denying Freeney any sacks, although the Colts still won, 24-7.
The two All-Pros will go another round Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium in an AFC divisional playoff game with a berth in the conference championship at stake.
“It?s going to be a real tough matchup,” Freeney said Tuesday in a conference call with reporters. “Jonathan Ogden is an All-Pro Hall of Famer offensive tackle and one of the best in the game today. He?s going to come out with his ?A? game.”
It remains to be seen if Ogden can physically bring his top effort on the field. Head coach Brian Billick listed him as questionable for Saturday.
Freeney, meanwhile, has had what can best be described as a subdued year. Since his rookie season with the Colts in 2002, Freeney?s numbers have fluctuated. He had 13 sacks his first season and 11 in 2003. The following year, he had a star-making 16 sacks. He posted 11 last season and 5.5 during the 2006 regular season.
The three-time Pro Bowler is undersized at 6-foot-1, 268 pounds. Colts head coach Tony Dungy said he believes Freeney is a game-changer, despite his size.
“Dwight is an unusual guy in that he plays a unique position,” Dungy said. “He plays a position in which bigger guys, taller guys, have succeeded. He?s not the prototypical defensive end, but he?s got speed, strength and power. I don?t know if there?s anybody that has quite the same set of skills that he does playing that position.”
