Freeney, Mathis buying in to Colts' new scheme
For all the turnover the front office, coaching staff and roster underwent in the offseason, a pair of the Colts' most venerable veterans are going through their own growing pains during the first week of training camp.
Longtime bookend pass rushers Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are no longer defensive ends. They're outside linebackers, tasked with attacking the edge from a standing position while also handling coverage duties in head coach Chuck Pagano's 3-4 defensive scheme.
Asked how much experience he has standing up at the snap, Freeney said, "zero," before recalling about 4-5 plays against Auburn while in college. Mathis had to go back to high school to remember the last time he didn't line up with his hand on the ground.
"It's very new uncharted territory for me. But I'm learning it, getting it, and enjoying the process," said Mathis. "You've got to buy in. You have to shift yourself out and buy in. I bought in all the way. I bought in after we went 2-14."
Freeney acknowledged part of him wanted to remain in the role he has known for 10 years. But he has worked hard on the adjustment, and said for him it won't be that drastic because there will still be plenty of situations in which he has his hand on the ground. And Freeney sees the benefits to having versatility in where he lines up.
"It's like tying your shoes or riding a bike, you don't have to think about it," Freeney said of his altered role. "There is a little bit of thinking involved now but after the first two steps it's basically the same thing.
"Now, you don't know where I'm going to be at. The offensive tackle it's not easy for him. It creates some hesitation for the offensive tackle too. It's not always about me. He (the offensive tackle) has more things to worry about."
While Freeney and Mathis are preparing for their new roles on defense, they know it's a rookie on the other side of the ball who carries the future of the Colts' hopes to be competitive again soon.
"They've been incredibly welcoming and helpful," quarterback Andrew Luck said after Monday's first full-speed practice. "I know the first day I was here Freeney called me over into 'his office' as he said, over by his locker, and just sort of gave me some heads up on training camp and some things that he's learned. So I'm very thankful for them going out of their way and trying to help the young, know-it-all rookie out."
Luck hasn't been phased by the first two days of training camp, but admitted the season is going to approach quickly and there's a lot of work to get done in terms of preparing for the speed of the NFL and a new offensive scheme.
"It's still a practice, but to see fans out there there's always an extra buzz," he said. "To have a little more time during practice, you obviously grind a little more. And there's maybe a little more sense of urgency with the fact that the season really is right around the corner."
