The Science Of Dwight Freeney Kicking Your Quarterback's Butt

by Brad Wells on Aug 26, 2010 3:53 PM EDT in 2010 Colts Analysis

Dwight Freeney is the best pass rusher in the league, year in and year out. Over an eight year period, Freeney has averaged 10.5 sacks and four forced fumbles a season. Like Peyton Manning, Freeney is an absolute game-changer. Without him, the Colts defense simply does not work.

To prove just how amazing Dwight Freeney is at killing the opponent's quarterback, ESPN's Sports Science monitored and analyzed Freeney signature pass rushing move: The spin.

It's pretty amazing the data they found from measuring and monitoring Freeney as he demonstrated this move. Equally amazing is that they had him execute the move, in full pads, against a dummy. Then, upon competition of the move, they asked him to tackle a real, live person at full speed.

Um, ouch.

Highlights after the jump...

Freeney spin is similar to an Olympic figure skater doing a double tilde
Freeney can reach 90% of his top speed in just one second covering just seven yards.
When Freeney hits someone at full speed, it generates 2,800 pounds of force.
He hit the guy so hard, it knocked him out of his shoes.
Dwight Freeney is really, REALLY good at destroying the QB.

Tip to ColtsBraZil

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Thanks ColtsBraZil, I needed that!! Where's my other shoe...

by coltsfoot85 on Aug 26, 2010 4:04 PM EDT reply actions

And thanks to BBS. Apologies, sorry!

by coltsfoot85 on Aug 26, 2010 4:06 PM EDT reply actions

BraZil

He deserves it more for finding the vid.

SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue and editor of SB Nation Indiana.

by Brad Wells on Aug 26, 2010 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Awesome

How can you not love a team that does this?

by LovinBlue on Aug 26, 2010 4:17 PM EDT reply actions

Yanno

there is nothing better than watching a football player kill a QB… its absolutely beautiful

by DevilsReject on Aug 26, 2010 4:42 PM EDT reply actions

How does this compare...

…to other DEs/LBs going through similar motions? I know Freeney’s spin is basically patented at this point, but I’ve seen Sports Science measure these stats with others (I saw the 2010 draft edition a few months ago) and I bet they’ve done stats on the force of the hits from one or more of Julius Peppers, Mario Williams, Jared Allen, Justin Tuck, etc. It’s all blocked at work so I can’t look up the numbers :-\

by strootster on Aug 26, 2010 4:51 PM EDT reply actions

I normally regulate you homers...

And keep you from unnecessarily waving your pom-poms (cough Mitch King cough), but D-Free is the best defensive player in the NFL and I make no apologies for saying that.

by Collin McCollough on Aug 26, 2010 5:35 PM EDT reply actions

Bad Ass

"We ARE going to our own private island, Chris: it's called the State Fucking Fair!"

by naptown_ninja on Aug 26, 2010 5:43 PM EDT reply actions

Wow.

Freeney’s spin is remarkable in how much control he has of his body. Amazing. I kind of feel sorry for the 10.5 QBs that are going to experience that spin move first hand. I don’t feel sorry for the 21 offensive linemen that failed to stop the carnage before it started.

by indymike on Aug 26, 2010 6:39 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I never noticed before how much he jumps thru the spin, so airborne

"To be a great football coach, you have to be smart enough to do it well, and dumb enough to think it's important." -- Can't remember whom I am paraphrasing.

by zherebyonki on Aug 26, 2010 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions