The Indianapolis Colts joined the Green Bay Packers today when it came to cutting ties with veteran defensive stars, this time being Dwight Freeney. According to ESPN on Feb. 15, the Colts release Freeney and don’t plan on re-signing him.
This is an even bigger move than the Charles Woodson release earlier in the day. While Woodson was a star in Green Bay, and a locker room leader, Freeney is the Colts’ all-time leader in sacks. However, as the Colts proved last season when they showed Peyton Manning the door, they don’t have any problems with cutting ties with beloved stars.
Freeney said he was shocked at the release, saying the Colts told him they wanted to go in a different direction. He said he wanted to retire as a member of the Colts, but now will just move on into free agency and try to find a new home. Much like Manning, a Colts’ record holder will finish his career outside of Indianapolis.
Freeney is only 33, but his sack totals have dropped in each of the past three seasons. In 2009, Freeney finished with 13.5 sacks and recorded 10, 8.5 and five over the past three seasons. He has 107.5 career sacks, good for 21st best since the NFL began keeping track of the sack totals.