Who is more important to the Colts Defense? Bob Sanders or Dwight Freeney?

Question

I am from Indianapolis and I never want to see the Colts Defense without those two in the lineup until they retire, but I do wonder who is more important. Dwight Freeney is not only one of the top five defensive end's playing in the game, but he also helps by making the offense watch him closely and guard him which leave the other Colts defensive linemen like Robert Mathis and Anthony "Booger" McFarland to go after the Quarterback. Bob Sanders is one of the most hard-hitting defensive players in the game and despite his size he has speed and agility that matches any wide reciever and he can overpower them as well, not to mention the fact that he brings that hard-hitting mentality to the Colts defense and when he plays the Colts defense is tough to beat. I guess I am going to have to go with Bob "Popeye" Sanders because he gives the Colts defense that agressive mentality that you can't really teach. What do you think?

Esnagui, you are one of the few who just can't get over the fact that the Colts and Peyton Manning are the better team. Get over it and stop making up cheap excuses for being a hater nobody cares what you think and the Colts won the AFC Championship game (it was this year too you dope) fair and square, even Patriots fans admit that. Seriously, it's people like you who tarnish players hard work. Get over it!

Answer 1

It would be bad if either wasnt available...Sanders came back and proved his worth and importance to the team so i understand why people would go with him being more important. However while i agree he is the heart of the defense the problem is that without a dominating rush end just about any defensive back is easily exposed and taken advantage of by a good QB. It all starts up front...a perfect example of this is the Super Bowl. The Bears used defense to get there (they had arguably the worst offense in the NFL of all the playoff caliber teams) but when Tommy harris went down and Tank forgot that Americans are required to obey laws the Bear front couldnt get pressure on Manning at all and the Colts were able to very easily exploit the Bear defense. A quick look back over the years and you will find that teams that had successful playoff runs all had one thing in common...an ability to get to the QB. So I agree that if you are a Colts fan you dont want to lose either but losing Freeney would be more damaging if they cant get others to to QB. That being said i have always loved watching Sanders as far back as when he patrolled the backfield for Iowa. There may not be a player with a bigger heart in the NFL than Sanders!

Answer 2

I knew even before the Playoffs how important Bob Sanders was.. he is an integral part of the Colts run defense. Without him the Colts weren't able to stop the run, partially due to the energy he gives them. But partly because he is just so good and coming up and helping out. That extra defender on the line gives the Colts one of the best run defenses in the league. It helps force teams to try to pass on the Colts. This plays right into their hands and gives way to Dwight Freeneys QB pressuring talents. Both players are very important, but I think Sanders is slightyly more so because of the energy he brings the rest of the team. Freeney didn't have that many sack opportunitys during the regular season because Bob Sanders wasn't there to help stop the run. So my answer is Bob Sanders.. but we really need both of them.. to win the Title again next year.. and maybe the year after that :o)

Answer 3

This is a tough question, but the colts did go a few games without Sanders and their defense did struggle for the time, so am going to go with Bob Sanders. But, Dwight Freeney is a very good DE.

Answer 4

I have to go with Bob Sanders on this one. Freeney is an excellent pass rusher, but he can't put pressure/sack the quarterback every play; however, Sanders flys around the field and can show up anywhere to disrupt any given play. He also fires up the defense and makes them believe that even though they are a little undersized they can stop anybody. The perfect example is Bob Sanders returning for the playoffs, the defense literally went from first to worst.

Answer 5

I'd say it's Bob Sanders right now, with his jarring hits. But if the Colts were to get an impact tackle to play next to Freeney, he might cause as many turnovers by getting to the quarterback more often.
How about that move he did against KC? Has anyone seen that before?

Answer 6

Honestly I would go with Bob Sanders, yeah Dwight Freeney is their franchise boy on defense but at sanders age only being a couple years in he anchors their defense. Just look at how horrible they were against the run without Bob Sanders and during that stint they still had Freeney but when Sanders reamerged from his injury it rejuvenated the defense and they totally shut down the run. I think it just comes down to Dwight Freeney's specialty being rushing the QB in pass defense but Sanders services range from stopping the run and pass coverage and with him being slightly younger i would definately say they would have to go with Bob Sanders.

Answer 7

Well you saw the way the defense was playing without Sanders just before the playoffs, not that great. Once he came back the defense was back on point. I give Freeny his props but if you throw the ball on 3 step drops it pretty much takes Freeny out of the game. Sanders can shut down half the field and come up to help stop the run.

Answer 8

Freeney, by a long shot. That's not a shot at Sanders, just how great Freeney is

Answer 9

I would say Sanders, his importance was proved during the playoff run. The defense really played more solid due to his presence and his mentality.

Answer 10

bob sanders means more to the defense freeny is a better player but sanders gets that defense going and makes them great.