Freeney: Gaither and Oher had help
Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney didn’t shed any tears over being shut out of a sack. In fact, the team's 17-15 win on Sunday was the first time this season that both Freeney and Robert Mathis failed to register a sack in the same game.
But Freeney said that he and Mathis rarely had an opportunity to challenge Ravens offensive tackles Jared Gaither and rookie Michael Oher one-on-one during passing situations.
"When they passed the ball, they pretty much left two guys on us to deal with, and the ball was gone," said Freeney, who missed out on a chance to tie the league record shared by Denver’s Simon Fletcher and Dallas’ DeMarcus Ware of a sack in a 10th consecutive game. "Stats don’t always tell the true picture of what’s really going on. Based on how much attention they gave us, that means less receivers go out and less points for them."








Comments
Hey Freeney, so what??? You and Mathis had NO, ZERO, ZILCH NADA *tackles* in this game, let alone sacks. Because Gaither and Oher had help, you couldn't even tackle away form the point of attack??!
You won the game, why are you griping? Show some class, idiot.
Posted by: Pete | November 24, 2009 9:13 AM
Boo hoo. There were tons of times where those two bozos had one-on-one matchups with Gaither and Oher, and they got beat. Someone pissed their pants that they couldn't make an INDIVIDUAL record.
Posted by: Ryan | November 24, 2009 10:38 AM
I saw three wide a bit in passing situations and Ray Rice go out in the flat, etc... I saw play action, but the fullback or tailback stay in alot to fake. They also chip the outside. When you complain, you look foolish.
What if the blitz the middle all day and the tackles are forced on an Island. Can they say "well Freeney and Mathis had help and it is the reason I did not play well...."
He one of the highest paid defensive players. He should make plays, even if they throw the kitchen sink. No excuses...
Posted by: Don | November 24, 2009 10:39 AM
The thing I was most impressed with was our two young tackles didn't get called for any offsides type infractions. Prolly first time all year that neither of them got called.
Mr. Freeny sounds like that roided up clown from Minnasota.
Posted by: rick | November 24, 2009 11:15 AM
Hey Freeney,
When, and if, Flacco ever takes a dive at your knees, bring your complaints to us.
Until then you'll have no sympathy from us, so shut your pie-hole. Oher and Gaither took care of biz against you and Mathis.
Posted by: Chas | November 24, 2009 11:17 AM
I like Freeney and Mathis but Dude, "Just Shut Up." You got handled. Take it like a man. You're 10-0. I just lost some respect for you dwight.
Posted by: chozentemple | November 24, 2009 11:43 AM
I guess it was too much to ask them to give credit where credit is due. Gaither and Ohler played a great game. Any cheese to go with their wine? LOL
Posted by: Darrin Williams | November 24, 2009 12:22 PM
So?
Posted by: Macadmia | November 24, 2009 12:23 PM
If your writers hadn't asked, Freeney wouldn't have answered. Guess Ravens fans have nothing else to complain about??? Remember first and goal? Maybe Harbaugh needs to consult Bellichick on how to gain a yard on fourth down.
Posted by: scottdc | November 24, 2009 12:33 PM
I was at the game and watching the matchup between Gaither and Freeney and it appeared to me that when Freeny went into his usual quick spin move the Gaither just kept spinning him like a top to the back and out of the the play. Freeney got handled and he knows it.
Posted by: Rob | November 24, 2009 1:13 PM
Jim Caldwell should tell Freeney to shut the hell up. I saw Oher and Gaither handled them one-on-one at times so he needs to shut it! They won the game, despite being non-factors, so I don't understand why Freeney felt the need to say anything.
Posted by: Marcus | November 24, 2009 1:14 PM
Hey scottdc, what are you even on this board for? don't they have more problems in DC to discuss? The young kids did a great job and when I looked at the recording of the game Dierdorf felt that they were playing great as well. I guess you are used to the subpar OL's in DC.
Posted by: Martin Swanson | November 24, 2009 1:19 PM
...and in summary, while me and Mathis were getting double teamed our interior guys were not picking up the slack and getting to Flacco..er um no no wait I am not throwing my guys under the bus, just pointing out that the rookie had some help.
The book, The Blind Side ends with Freeney being told that this young tackle in college mentioned Freeney as being one of the best and wanting to go up against him with the intent to shut him down. Freeney at first did not know what the kid's name was...HE DOES NOW!!
Posted by: Gil From Perry Hall | November 24, 2009 1:34 PM
Hey, fellas, the guy (Freeney) was just expressing his opinion in response to a question that was posed to him. Is it necessary for some of you to rag on him because of that?
It's only a game, guys. They get paid the big bucks to entertain us.
Geez!!
Posted by: Steve | November 24, 2009 1:46 PM
Freeney is quoted in The Blind Side as challenging Oher to stop him if he ever made it to the NFL. Well, he did stop him, and he did it as a rookie.
Posted by: DG | November 24, 2009 2:05 PM
Pass the Kleenex.
Posted by: Blind Sided | November 24, 2009 2:54 PM
DG,
Gaither was opposite Freeney. Oher was on Mathis. Both, however, did great jobs.
Posted by: bob b | November 24, 2009 3:04 PM
Neither of them was owned worse than Ray Lewis by Joseph Addai...Ray is old and slow...one on one, in the hole, totally owned.
Posted by: Neil | November 24, 2009 3:27 PM
Hey Neil,
for all the bashing you want to do on Ray, I recall him causing a touchdown saving fumble at the one yard line. but I guess if he wasn't so old and slow he would have had him at the 2. Yea he got beat by addai on that one play, but it happens. I would still take ray over 85% of the middle linebackers in the league. I bet if the Ravens would have beat the Pats, Vikes, Colts, and gm1 vs Cinci you would be singing his praises.
Posted by: Zach in Atl | November 24, 2009 6:34 PM
Hey, Martin - I'm actually from Indy...no problems here!
Posted by: scottdc | November 24, 2009 9:36 PM
Raven fans need to get over looking for little victories in games they lost. Freeney is absolutely right, the game plan to stop him allowed less offensive players to move the ball, less points, Ravens lose. He DID impact the game. Raven fans living in the fantasy world of we ALMOST beat the Colts, almost beat the Bengals, Patriots & dozens more the last few years have gotten too used to losing & look sad clinging to small victories within a game. It's the NFL dummies, not horse shoes!!
Posted by: Anonymous | November 25, 2009 8:16 AM
lol too funny...keep making excuses as to why you guys gave away the game. see ya next year..
Posted by: Anonymous | November 25, 2009 2:49 PM
Hey there Anonymous Colts fan,
You talk a good game too, but last I checked the Indianapolis Colts have exactly 1 ring, as the Ravens do. As the great Reese Bobby once said: "If you ain't first, you're last". So all those "big" victories of yours are nothing if the Colts don't win the Superbowl.
Posted by: Purple Koolaid | November 26, 2009 1:48 AM