Super Bowl XLIV: What To Take Away from Dwight Freeney's Media Day

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The guest of honor at Tuesday's Super Bowl Media Day wasn't Peyton Manning. It wasn't Drew Brees.

It wasn't even a person.

It was an ankle, specifically one belonging to Dwight Freeney.

We've heard so much about Freeney's ankle in the past few days, I'm almost missing Brett Favre retirement stories.

There's been endless debate about the status of the Colts' most famous ankle. Is it a two degree or three degree sprain? Are ligaments damaged? Torn?

I half expected Adam Schefter to report that it had been amputated, followed by Bill Polian listing Freeney as doubtful for the Super Bowl.

So, it was understandable when the world's media circled around Freeney's podium, anxiously awaiting an ankle to make an appearance.

Walking in, two things were immediately noticed about Freeney's ankle. One, it was swollen. Two, it was in a flip-flop.

Seriously? A flip-flop? Apparently Polian nixed the idea of having Freeney enter the building on roller blades.

The Colts may be playing one of the best mind games in Super Bowl history.

On one hand, Freeney's ankle was visibly swollen. With just five days away from kickoff, it's hard to think he'll have the mobility he needs to be truly effective, especially considering his injury is on his plant foot.

Freeney's teammates were being as politically correct as possible. Most talked about how Freeney is a quick healer, how he'll give it his best no matter his status. However, several players made comments suggesting that if Freeney can't go, then the Colts will adjust and people will step up.

That doesn't sound like a vote of confidence.

But then there's this flip-flop. It was the boldest statement in the history of casual footwear.

If the ankle was truly as bad as media members like Schefter make it seem, why wasn't the ankle in a boot? Why wasn't it wrapped? Where was Freeney's pack-n-play portable hyperbaric chamber?

Regardless of the swelling, an optimistic Colts fan could take a lot of positives from Freeney's lack of support on his ankle. Maybe it's not as bad as it seems? Walking without support, it's reasonable to assume Freeney could be a major factor come Sunday. Freeney's rush mate, Robert Mathis, said nothing will keep Freeney out of the game. Maybe he's right.

Confused? You wouldn't be alone.

I doubt even Freeney will know the true status of his ankle until he rolls out of bed Sunday morning and gives it an honest go. Until then, there will be tons of speculation about Freeney's ability to rush Drew Brees. The Saints will be forced to prepare as if he will play. The Colts will be forced to prepare for if he isn't.

Media Day may have lacked much of the craziness we've come to expect, but it wasn't without its drama. Prepare of hundreds of more articles, opinions, and predictions about Freeney's anatomical imperfection.

It's a shame none of us really know what they're talking about.

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