Historical perspective
Pre-Super Bowl injuries by star players
Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney isn’t the first star to deal with a pre-Super Bowl injury:
1. Pittsburgh WR Lynn Swann » He spent two days in the hospital before Super Bowl XIV with a severe concussion. But he caught four passes for 161 yards and a touchdown, earning MVP honors.
Recommended Stories
2. Philadelphia WR Terrell Owens » He returned weeks early from an ankle injury, catching nine passes for 144 yards and a touchdown in the Eagles’ 24-21 loss to New England in Super Bowl XXXIX.
3. Miami WR Paul Warfield » A pulled hamstring made him a game-time decision. The limping Warfield caught two passes, one for 27 yards, in Miami’s 24-7 victory over Minnesota.
4. Dallas DE Randy White » He played Super Bowl XIII with a broken hand and fumbled after trying to run with a squibbed kick. Pittsburgh scored a touchdown on the next play in its 35-31 victory.
Expert’s take: Colts’ pass rush
“The thing about [Dwight] Freeney and [Robert] Mathis that’s so impressive is the power they play with. They’re not just speed guys who rush to the outside. They can run right over you. They’re willing to go inside in the stunt game unlike a lot of guys I’ve seen. They have tremendous power. And they have unbelievable stamina.”
– ESPN Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden
Position battle
Saints’ offensive line vs. Colts’ pass rush
If Indianapolis All-Pro defensive end Dwight Freeney can’t play Sunday, or is even limited, one of New Orleans’ biggest worries will evaporate.
If Freeney plays, New Orleans will be forced to give left tackle Jermon Bushrod a lot of help, as they did vs. Minnesota’s Jared Allen.
“Freeney is so much better it’s not even close,” CBS analyst Charley Casserly said. “They have to stop Freeney.”
But that will leave left end Robert Mathis (9 1/2 sacks) one-on-one. Freeney and Mathis’ pass-rushing ability enables the Colts to play seven in coverage, a luxury against a quarterback such as Drew Brees.
“If I’m playing the Colts with a banged-up Feeney, I take the back and chip on Mathis and I give Brees a lot of time,” said former NFL safety Matt Bowen, who writes for the National Football Post. “If he has time to throw against their Cover 2, there will be openings.”
Did you know?
Howard alum Antoine Bethea has quietly become one of the NFL’s top safeties, thanks in large part to his study habits that enable him to quickly diagnose plays. Because of him, the Colts have been able to persevere despite constantly losing star safety Bob Sanders to injuries. Bethea earned his second Pro Bowl berth this season. He intercepted four passes during the regular season and has one pick in the playoffs. Bethea is among a group of sure tacklers in the Colts’ secondary, which is one way this defense has overcome a size deficiency.
