FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney, who owns the most famous right ankle in sports at the moment, said yesterday, “I hope to be myself . . . or as close to myself as I can be” in Sunday’s Super Bowl.
If Freeney isn’t up to playing like the player who had 13 ½ sacks this, Indy’s veteran backup Raheem Brock will be himself — and that’s comforting to the Colts.
“Raheem is a very accomplished veteran on our team who is very underrated and very versatile,” Freeney said. “He’s been a cornerstone of this defense for years. No matter what happens we’ll be fine. I have complete confidence in Raheem Brock’s game.”
So does Brock, who had 3 ½ sacks this year.
“Nobody’s panicking but the media,” Brock said. “I play everywhere — defensive tackle, defensive end, linebacker. I’d like to play some offense, too. I can catch the ball. But they want me to focus on defensive stuff and getting to the quarterback.”
Freeney still believes he’ll be able to contribute, saying he can feel the progress every day.
“It’s better than yesterday, and yesterday was better than the day before,” Freeney said. “It’s a slow progression right now, but that’s where it is. Every morning I wake up, and it feels a little better.”
Something Freeney has been taking advantage of in his rehab are some walks on the beach, steps outside the Colts hotel.
“Sometimes walking is good because it keeps things fluid,” Freeney said. “You hear people say he should be in a boot or something. But sometimes it can get stiff, and you’ve got to get that motion back in the ankle. It gets the blood flowing, so I’ve been walking around barefoot and in the sand.”
Freeney said “it’s hard to project” how he’ll be game day, adding, “I was supposed to be out four weeks with the quad [injury earlier in the season] and I played that week.”
Freeney, who’d been asked well more than 100 times about his ankle in repetitive interviews this week, has been good-spirited about it.
“It’s part of the Super Bowl and how this event is biggest event in the world,” he said. “And any big thing is going to be magnified to the tenth power. With more success comes more attention and I understand that.”
Freeney remains listed as questionable on the injury report as does Colts cornerback Jerraud Powers, who missed the AFC title game with an injured foot.
Colts coach Jim Caldwell said yesterday that Powers will play.
“It’s coming along fine,” Powers said. “I’m starting to cut and move on it, and there’s no doubt in my mind that I’ll be out there Sunday. I’m not sure about practice. I’m pretty sure the doctors will be pretty conservative about that.”
If Powers does play, it would move fellow rookie Jacob Lacey, who replaced him against the Jets, back to nickel packages.