It’s time for more 4 Questions. This time we’re shipping up to Boston to talk about the Lions newest linebacker, Jonathan Freeny. But if you’re like me, you’re a ridiculous person and I feel bad for you. Also you watched every single Boston movie classic before you even left for Bean Town. Then you got yourself all rolled up in talking like you’re from Boston and annoyed everyone around you.
That’s what happened last time I went, and that’s what happened this time. So I put my Hanging Tough single in the tape deck, threw on my favorite dungies and met my favorite Boston chucklehead Brian Phillips of Pats Pulpit down in Southie. After 20 minutes of me doing this,
Brian told me shut up and gave me some info on Jonathan Freeny. Here’s what he had to say.
POD: What are your overall thoughts on Freeny’s time in New England?
PP: “Freeny’s time with the Patriots can best be characterized with one phrase: run-of-the-mill. In 2015, after impressing as a special teamer in training camp, he became a core member of the unit. Due to a rash of injuries to the front seven, Freeny was forced into action for 35% of the team’s defensive snaps—primarily on early downs, as it was common for Patrick Chung to rotate in as the third linebacker, joining Hightower and Collins in the Patriots’ big dime package.
Freeny’s contributions on special teams were rewarded, as he was given a two-year extension the following summer. He earned a ring in 2016 after being placed on IR following a week-five injury. With other players filling his roles in his abscense, Freeny was released last Summer as part of the team’s finals cut downs.”
POD: What are his strengths?
PP: “At this point in his career, there simply aren’t many. He’s still a sure tackler on special teams...maybe?”
POD: What are his weaknesses?
PP: “Well, he shouldn’t be counted on to provide much at all in the way of meaningful front seven production. He doesn’t possess the foot speed to stay with running backs or tight ends in the passing game, and he gets reached easily by guards and centers in the run game.”
POD: Can Freeny make a large impact in Detroit? Or is he better served as a role player?
PP: “Freeny is a fringe 53-man roster player. If there is room on the roster for couple of special teamers, then a productive camp on fourth downs is likely his best avenue for being on the club in September.”
Man, it’s been a rough week in the 4 Questions world. On Tuesday we got possibly the worst review of a player this series has ever seen on Sylvester Williams, Then today we find out that Freeny is a guy that may not even be on the team in September. This, again, begs the question of what the heck is Bob Quinn doing this offseason?
Thanks again to Brian Phillips and Pats Pulpit. The Patriots are an easy team to hate, but Brian makes it hard to do since he’s such a good dude. Go give him a follow for some good football content.