Dwight Freeney off to fast start
The number for Dwight Freeney is one.
One addition to his gaudy career total. One celebratory salute. One sack in two games.
The number doesn’t do him justice.
Despite one sack to show for it, the Chargers outside linebacker is off to a fast start this season. Freeney, 34, has been one of the most productive pass rushers in the league. It’s an encouraging sign for San Diego, which hasn’t finished top 10 in the NFL in takeaways since leading the league in 2007.
Such pressure from Freeney will only help.
Four defenders share the NFL lead with eight quarterback hurries, according to Pro Football Focus. Freeney is one. Teammate Melvin Ingram, the Titans’ Derrick Morgan and Saints’ Cameron Jordan are the others.
His single-sack total easily could be four, but his impact goes beyond the stat.
“He’s not going to get to the quarterback every play. I mean, nobody does,” coach Mike McCoy said. “But it’s what you do to help your team in other phases, where, OK, Russell (Wilson) can’t escape through the backdoor, so he comes up and someone else is there. Or (Freeney) causes pressure on the outside, and (Wilson’s) got to step up, and then Corey (Liuget) and Kendall (Reyes) are there, or whoever else is inside. It’s a matter of disturbing the quarterback. ... Make him uncomfortable, so it’s not 7-on-7.”
Freeney’s sack came on Seattle’s first offensive series.
The Seahawks were driving. Wilson completing throws of 21 and 30 yards to help guide the Seahawks to the 33-yard line on third down. Freeney had a good jump off the line, speed rushing past left tackle Russell Okung. Wilson reacted to an inside, A-gap blitz from linebacker Donald Butler, and spun back toward Freeney, who dropped him for a 13-yard loss.
Two sacks slipped through Freeney’s arms in Week 1.
He had another near-miss in the second quarter. He burst past right tackle Justin Britt, who rather blatantly held Freeney’s left arm without drawing a penalty.
Freeney is up to 109 career regular-season sacks.
It could be higher, sure. But the Chargers will take the consistency with which he’s brought pressure.
Nuts ‘n’ Bolts
• After an off-day, the Chargers will begin their practice week this morning. The team is expected to travel Friday for Sunday’s game versus the 2-0 Bills.
• Nick Novak has converted 21 consecutive field goals dating back to last season. He’s tied with John Carney for the third longest streak in franchise history.
