The conventional wisdom heading into the 2002 NFL draft was Dwight Freeney was too small to play defensive end
INDIANAPOLIS — or hold up against the run. Critics also contended his trademark spin move would hit a wall against the league's bigger, stronger offensive linemen. Former Colts general manager Bill Polian and former coach Tony Dungy saw something completely different on tape — a pre-eminent pass rusher who would be a perfect fit in Dungy's patented Tampa 2 defense. Freeney didn't disappoint.
That tag-team tandem quickly emerged as one of the NFL's most feared pass-rushing duos, making Freeney even more dangerous. Freeney won the league's sacks title in 2004 with 16. Two years later, Freeney and Mathis were the key components on Indy's Super Bowl-winning defense. They didn't just challenge one another, they outmaneuvered opponents by learning one another's strengths and showing younger defensive teammates how to compete.
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