Chuck Pagano praises Dwight Freeney
San Diego Chargers linebacker Dwight Freeney (93) prior to the game against the Houston Texans at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Before signing with the San Diego Chargers this offseason, Dwight Freeney was one of the best player’s in the game with the Indianapolis Colts and is an extremely important player in the franchise’s history. A major storyline in this week’s game against the Colts and Chargers is the fact that Colts head coach Chuck Pagano will be coaching against his younger brother John Pagano, who is the Chargers defensive coordinator. While Freeney isn’t a major storyline since he is on the injured reserve with a quadriceps injury, that didn’t stop Chuck Pagano from giving Freeney some well-deserved praise.
He said, “We were all sick to see that his season was cut short by the injury. You can’t say enough great things about Dwight. I know we only had one season together but when you look at what he did for this organization, this city, he’s a great, great football player. ”
“(I have) nothing but great things to say about Dwight. Coming here (in 2012), the strain that changing systems put on him and Robert (Mathis) and just how they bought in and did everything that we asked, I got nothing but fond memories about him.”
Freeney’s injury was a crushing blow for the Chargers defense, because he was easily their most effective pass rusher. In fact, Freeney was the Chargers only effective pass rusher, and he did an absolutely amazing job before the season-ending injury. He harassed quarterbacks by bringing consistent pressure, and he showed no signs of age or lack of a fit in the 3-4 scheme. Freeney was simply beastly, and he looked like much more than the Chargers bargained for. He’s still under contract for the next season, so let’s hope he can make a full recovery from the injury and pick up where he left off next year.
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