There was a time this season when Dwight Freeney was pretty much the only Falcons pass rusher consistently getting to the quarterback. Now he’s showing signs of slowing down/injury, and the pass rush has improved so much that the Falcons harassed Bucs QB Jameis Winston on Thursday night with Freeney inactive because of a thigh injury.
Considering this, I'm thinking the Falcons should let Freeney, 36, rest up for the stretch run.
Let Freeney continue to tutor his fellow pass rushers but hold him out from any kind of vigorous practice work next week. Keep him inactive for the Nov. 13 game against the Eagles. Then, after Freeney chills during the bye week, unleash him over the final six games as the Falcons make their push for a the NFC South title.
I asked Quinn last week if he was concerned about Freeney wearing down. Quinn didn’t really answer the question directly while praising Freeney’s all-out effort. But the proof is in the production, and the numbers show that Freeney has been less effective over his past few games but the pass rush has cranked up because others are contributing.
After Freeney had two sacks and three hurries in 23 rushes against the Broncos, Pro Football Focus graded him as the most productive pass rushers among 4-3 defensive ends. But Freeney’s production has tailed off since then: He had just five QB pressures in his past three games after he had 18 in Weeks 3-5. Freeney had his least productive game against the Chargers with one pressure in 17 rushes and had just two pressures against the Packers.
Freeney has played 213 snaps over eight games (26.6 per game) for the Falcons after he played 255 total snaps in 11 games (23.2 per game) for the Cardinals during his resurgent 2015 season. Maybe it’s the sore thigh that’s slowed down Freeney, or maybe it’s just his age. Either way, giving Freeney the next two weeks off would give him a chance to heal/refresh and get back to being a beast for the stretch run.
There was a time when the Falcons couldn’t afford to sit Freeney but now several players are combining to form an effective pass rush. Four different players recorded at least four QB pressures against the Bucs, according to Pro Football Focus, led by Vic Beasley’s five hurries. Adrian Clayborn, Grady Jarrett, Courtney Upshaw also have contributed to the improved pass rush.
A refreshed and healthy Freeney would make the rush even more formidable over the final six weeks of the regular season and then during the playoffs. The Falcons should consider giving Freeney the next two weeks off so he can be more effective when it will count the most.
About the Author
