Bruce Smith (2009 Hall of Fame inductee) believes Dwight Freeney will one day be in the hall

by BigBlueShoe on Jul 20, 2009 5:09 PM EDT in Colts News Comment 13 comments

Bruce Smith was a great player in his day. He played in four Super Bowls. He amassed 200 sacks in 19 NFL seasons and helped turn the Buffalo Bills into an NFL powerhouse. He's had some recent problems with the law, but that does not take away from Smith's impressive and (soon-to-be) Hall of Fame career.

Recently, in an NFL.com chat, Bruce was asked if any modern day defensive ends could earn a Hall of Fame nod. He only named two. One of them is someone we root for every Sunday:

Jemond Smith, New Orleans

11:44 AM ET

Bruce, Other than yourself, name 4 of the next best DE's that played during your era you strongly believe will make it to the HOF.

Bruce Smith

I'll come up with two. Michael Strahan will obviously be there. I think Dwight Freeney from the Colts also has a great shot.

Wow. Guess Bruce doesn't think much of Julius Peppers, Richard Seymour, or the HIGHLY over-rated Kevin Carter. Not listing Peppers is the biggest omission, but I kind of agree with Bruce there. I've always considered Peppers a bit over-rated. He's known for taking plays off, and any schmuck who doesn't give 100% is not Hall of Fame material, in my humble opinion. Patriots fans will simply claim Bruce was drinking again when he forgot to list Seymour.

FYI: Dwight Freeney has 70.5 career sacks and forced 34 fumbles in seven seasons.

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I hope Freeney makes it.

If he does this is how his speech will start: “I mean, at the end of the day, it is what it is”.

"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino

by Indy Lori on Jul 20, 2009 6:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Freeney

I like him as much as the next guy, but it seems like he will have to stay healthy and play about 6-7 more years to have the kind of numbers to stack up with those already in the Hall.

And I would also think he needs to play more consistently against the run unless he is going in as a pass rush specialist only, in which case I would think he needs at least a few more big years to help out his cause.

"I'm looking for Ray Finkle....and a clean pair of shorts."

by AceOfSpades on Jul 20, 2009 6:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

They don’t run the ball toward his end because it’s a bad idea. They force him outside with a double team and run it up the middle, but they don’t go to his side with it. He’s off the ball so quickly you’re lucky to get the handoff completed before he’s grabbing jersey. He would love to meet the running back holding the football instead of being there to chip him on a triple team.

I think Jason Taylor is the active sack leader and he wasn’t mentioned. It’s not statistics, it’s that Freeney is one of the few guys that you have to plan for. You just can’t take the field and run the playbook unless you have a vendetta against your own quarterback. He’s always going to have a hand on the quarterback 3 seconds after the ball is snapped—if you are doing it right. If you are doing it wrong it’ll be 2 seconds. Quarter backs that hold the ball get sacked by Jared Allen and Jason Taylor. Nobody holds the ball against the Colts, and they run heavily, and Freeney is right up there in the stats.

That’s why Bruce Smith thinks he’ll make it.

by wcwills on Jul 20, 2009 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yup

Freeney is good against the run, despite what people think. Im not sure, but I think Shake dug up a stat that stated that backs average less then a yard running at his side

by metal_militia on Jul 20, 2009 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

FO's D line stats

In 2006 the Colts were best in the league against runs to left end. They struggled against tackles and in, but Freeney’s side was the highest ranked of the LT, Inside, RT runs. http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/dl2006

In 2007 the Colts were 3rd in the league against runs at Freeney (behind Left Tackle), and a bit above average wide to his side, (and average up the middle, probably thanks to Ed Johnson) They struggled with teams running right at Mathis. http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/dl2007

Last year had a real clear pattern. They were better the further outside the runs were and were better at defending runs left (defensive right). http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/dl

That's big talk for a little guy,
but I'm walkin' without reply.
-Lil Wayne "Mr. Postman"

by shake n bake on Jul 20, 2009 11:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Freeney needs at least two more prime years

10+ sacks at least. At that point he’s close enough to 100 to make a HoF argument. But if he drops off, or gets hurt again, not sure he has a shot. Not saying he doesn’t deserve it or anything, but HoF is a big deal, and to give it to a guy with less than 100 sacks is probably unlikely. Freeney actually mentioned that, “100 is the magic number”, and I’m sure that he’s got his sights set on it.

by slash196 on Jul 21, 2009 3:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Point of reference

Michael Strahan didn’t have a 10-sack season until he was 26. By that age, Freeney had already had 4. Strahan broke the sack record at 30. Freeney turns 29 this season.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StraMi02.htm

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FreeDw00.htm

by slash196 on Jul 21, 2009 3:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Based on the first 7 seasons of both Freeney and Strahan's career

Dwight has 18 sacks than Strahan did at this point in his career. Hopefully the new, young DTs the Colts now have will allow Freeney to go wild out there…I can’t wait to see the defense!!!

"Peyton Manning flow, I just go no huddle."
- Lil' Wayne, Put Some Keys on That

by KMR24 on Jul 21, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not until Dent gets in

"I saw a commercial on late night TV, it said,'Forget everything you know about slipcovers.' So I did. And it was a load off my mind. Then the commercial tried to sell me slipcovers, and I didn't know what the hell they were."
-Mitch Hedberg

by Colts Homer on Jul 21, 2009 3:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

+1 on Dent.

by tim55 on Jul 21, 2009 1:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Peppers and Freeney have almost identical stats. Both have legit arguments for the Hall though Freeney gets more press IMO than Peppers.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Jul 21, 2009 3:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Their stats are nearly the same

but I think Dwight’s intangibles are what set him apart from Julius Peppers. I think most opposing players fear Freeney more than Peppers, maybe because they know Dwight always gives his all while Peppers is known for taking plays off. I remembered watching ESPN’s Sunday Countdown (that’s the name of the show, right?) and Boomer asked the offensive players on the panel which defensive player he feared, and Keyshawn Johnson said Julius Peppers and the Cris Carter looked at him and bursted into laugher. Even my dad couldn’t believe he would say Peppers. I guess that’s why Bruce Smith didn’t mention Peppers.

"Peyton Manning flow, I just go no huddle."
- Lil' Wayne, Put Some Keys on That

by KMR24 on Jul 21, 2009 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs