Dwight Freeney Signs Six-Year, $72 million Deal
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For the first time in a long time the Indianapolis Colts spend money on the defensive side of the ball. Dwight Freeney, who was a 2002 1st round pick of the Colts, will become the highest paid defensive player of all-time. In addition to his $72 million dollar deal, Freeney will also receive a $30 million dollar signing bonus. Had Freeney and his agent not signed the long term deal the Colts would have been forced to settle for the one-year tender at $9.4 million. If that were the case, Freeney would have had to decide whether or not he was going to hold out. Freeney will receive $37 million over the first three years of the contract. In doing so, the Colts will save approximately $3 million of cap room that they can use to keep other players whose contracts are expiring, such as big hitter Bob Sanders. The Colts had $3.4 million of cap room before reaching agreement with Freeney.
Until last season Freeney had registered double-digit sacks in every season he played. his highest total came 2004 when he sacked the quarterback 16 times. Last year's 5.5 sack total was the lowest of his 5 year career but many such as I expect that total to grow to double digits again with him entering his prime. Insiders are also saying the Freeney has been working on more inside moves as opposing O-lineman found out last year that pushing him to the outside of the pocket frustrated him and made him lose focus. If he improves his technique and his inside moves we could be talking about him putting up Reggie White numbers. And at 27, the man has plenty of time to learn.
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