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Freeney: Part of dynamic defensive duo
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Halfway through the season, the Indianapolis Colts are perfect. Or I should say their record is perfect. And their timing is perfect - sitting 8-0 with the New England Patriots coming to town for the Game of the Century (or Week).
Before the Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady hype machine hits overdrive later this week, let's give the Colts their midterm grades:
Passing game: A+
Last I looked, Manning was on pace to throw for an NFL-record gazillion yards this season. That's not bad considering he has two known receivers in the brilliant Reggie Wayne and the human punching bag Dallas Clark. The protection Manning has received has been solid for the most part, although he's been sacked five times in the last two games. That can't happen against the Patriots.
I assumed Manning had reached his peak as a quarterback, but this year just might be it. He's in such a rhythm that field goals seem like a disappointment. He'll need red-zone pay dirt against the Pats.
Running game: C-
If there's one thing fans should remember, it's that Joseph Addai was a late-first-round draft pick. He was not a superstar running back in college. He's not going to be a superstar running back in the pros. But he does have a nice burst and he's proved adept at catching Manning's passes except when they're delivered a bit high at 120 mph.
It would be a bonus to get Donald Brown back, because he has the between-the-tackles power that isn't really Addai's game. Some of the so-so production must fall on the offensive line, which is much better at pass blocking than run blocking.
Run defense: B-
It's not as terrible as it has been in the past, but it still allows the occasional Frank Gore highlight run. We thought Ed Johnson would be an answer and he got booted. Antonio Johnson is a big body, but has substantial room for growth - as a player, not in the lunch room. The loss of linebacker Tyjuan Hagler could still end up costing down the road, especially in run defense. The aggressiveness, if not the tackling, of young cornerbacks Jerraud Powers and Jacob Lacey on outside runs has been encouraging.
Pass defense: A
Pick any superlative for defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis and you'll be right. There's not a better pair of bookends in the league for making quarterbacks rush throws every time they drop back to pass. Freeney's on fire. Mathis is smoldering. At some point, you expect not only a sack but the ball to come loose. Now, Brady can mentally handle the pressure, but they will test his mobility at some point Sunday.
As for the secondary, give some credit to Melvin Bullitt, who has the thankless job of not being Bob Sanders. Bullitt's pretty good though, and fellow safety Antoine Bethea is the most underrated player on the defense. Yes, the rookie corners might get burned and fans hold their breath every time Tim Jennings steps on the field, but the pressure of Freeney and Mathis helps, big time.
Special teams: B
The loss of Adam Vinatieri has been eased by the consistency Matt Stover has been able to provide. There's something about 40-something kickers. They're fearless. Stover's not in Vinatieri's league for clutch performances - no one is - but he's reliable. Pat McAfee has punted well, for both distance and accuracy. His kickoffs are decent, too.
As for the Colts' return game, they have none.
Coaching: A
Jim Caldwell had the unenviable task of replacing the smoothest operator in the game, Tony Dungy. Actually, maybe it was an enviable task, considering all the talent at Caldwell's disposal. Caldwell's decision to change defensive coordinator and special teams coach proved right on the money. Both areas are significantly better.
I'm not sure Caldwell has made any game-time decisions that would make him stand out from the pack. But sometimes maintaining excellence and refraining from tweaking for tweaking's sake is an attribute in and of itself.
Attitude: A
This is kind of an unquantifiable category, but the professionalism, confidence and general camaraderie set the Colts apart. When was the last time there was even a whiff of internal strife? The players get along well, the team has ample stars but no prima donnas and they believe they're going to win every time they step on the field.
No, the 8-0 Colts aren't perfect. And they're not the flavor-of-the-moment with the media that the also-undefeated New Orleans Saints have become.
They have areas to work on - more red-zone touchdowns, a more consistent running game, a stiffer run defense, occasionally returning a kick for more than seven yards - but those are fine-tuning matters.
They're at the head of the class for now.
It'll be interesting to see how they score on the Patriots' midterm exam.
