INDIANAPOLISCOLTS DEFENSIVE END DWIGHT FREENEY
CONFERENCE CALL
Q: What do you think the Patriots have done to contain you in the past?
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DF: What they do a lot is chip the tight end outside of me. Double team - triple team - they don't triple team so much, it's primarily double teams. But it's primarily a tight end-tackle combination.
Q: The defense has the same personnel as last year. Why is the defense performing so much better as a defense this year?
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DF: I think we are playing together more. We are in the fourth year of the scheme in the defense. Guys have been together longer. Some of the young guys in the back end have been together longer. The linebacker core is playing well. Additions - Corey Simon in the middle helps us with the run especially. So I think it's just more everyone playing together, knowing the scheme and knowing where they're supposed to fit on the run and pass.
Q: Do you see the Patriots as a great hurdle that you guys have to overcome?
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DF: I mean we would definitely like to overcome any obstacle in our way, which is the next team on our schedule. Therefore, yes, the Patriots are the next game on our schedule, therefore we would like to surpass that hurdle. Obviously, in years past, we have lost to them so there is a little extra - you know we need to beat them.
Q: How do you let the past success the Patriots have had against you not creep into your mind?
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DF: I wouldn't worry about it, that's in the past. That was last year - two different teams - two different records. Different players on the team. You can't worry about the past.
Q: Does this Colts team feel like a different team compared to past teams?
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DF: Like I said, we are playing together more. Defensively, I can especially say [that is true]. We won a couple of games on defense this year. I think we are playing together and not making those rookie mistakes. We are playing more consistently.
Q: When [Robert] Mathis comes in during the sub-packages, does that help you as far as not seeing as many double teams?
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DF: I still get the attention to be honest. Teams do not go away from their schemes. A lot of times on third down, when Robert comes into the game, that is when you see primarily more of the double teams. So I really don't think it makes a difference whether he's in there or not, I still see double teams.
Q:
How good has Cato June become?
DF: I think it's probably to his advantage that he did play safety in college. He knows how to break on balls, make the catch
