While Freeney no longer puts up the double-digit sack totals that were the hallmark of his 11-year tenure with the Indianapolis Colts, he has played an invaluable role tutoring an extremely young Falcons defense that started four rookies and four second-year players in the NFC championship game.
"I can appreciate the moment a lot more," Freeney said. "I'm at a different place in my career than I was before, and that's OK. You play long enough, you're gonna have all the ranges of what happened in your career: you didn't know much, you're on top of your game, and now you're like mentor guy."
After another few months of uncertainty, the Falcons called.
If this is where it ends, what a way to go out.
A second Super Bowl title might be enough to ensure Freeney takes his place in the Hall of Fame someday. The Patriots believe he's already earned his spot.
HOUSTON (AP) — Dwight Freeney is coming up on that time of year when he has to answer some hard questions.
"Dwight is a very smart guy," Quinn said. "He has quarterback smarts playing defensive end. He has recall, he can remember this stat, this set, this down and distance,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, this field position, much like a quarterback can. So he's someone that's fun for me to challenge, too,Wholesale China Jerseys, because he usually has an opinion on certain topics or a certain stunt or certain blitz or certain call."
The Falcons are sure glad he did.
Less than three weeks away from his 37th birthday, Freeney is back in the Super Bowl for the third time, essentially filling the role of player-coach for the Atlanta Falcons .
"I can't even put that into words," Beasley said. "What Dwight does, he just prepares. You just get to see it for yourself. He prepares so well week in and week out. I just try to take everything I can from him."
Once again, Freeney was the perfect fit.
More than a month into the 2015 season, Freeney still didn't have a job and began to ponder what came next. A career in television, perhaps.
His impact was most apparent on Vic Beasley Jr., who rebounded from a disappointing rookie year to lead the NFL with 15 1-2 sacks.  Freeney not only taught the youngster some of the tricks of the pass-rushing trade, but how to be a professional athlete.
Can he still be effective at what he does?
How does his body feel?
"He's one of the best pass rushers I have ever played against,NFL Jerseys Clearance," New England quarterback Tom Brady said. "He's one of the best defensive players I've ever played against."
He's one victory away from being able to fulfill the dream of every great athlete: retiring on top.
Freeney fit the bill, getting eight sacks in 11 games as the team advanced to the NFC championship before losing to Carolina.
"Vic is a guy who has a lot of same characteristics I had when I was coming out," Freeney recalled. "I was fast, quick and agile. The thing is, when you're young you don't know much. You just run around and make plays because you're athletic. My thing with Vic was just trying to raise his IQ a little bit, his awareness of when you use certain moves and when you don't use certain moves. Hopefully, I rubbed off on him in a good way."
"One of my goals coming in was, 'Hey, get 10 years in,'" Freeney said, smiling about a milestone he surpassed five seasons ago. "After my 10th year, every year I said,NFL Jerseys From China, 'OK, that's probably it for me.' And I keep coming back, for whatever reason."
"I'm tired of training. I'm tired of being ready. No one's calling. I've got all these coaches saying, 'Oh, stay ready, stay ready,'" Freeney said. "But I'm like, 'Forget that. I'm done.'"
Freeney relished the chance to take Beasley under his wing,NFL Jerseys Cheap.
Coach Dan Quinn not only wanted someone who might improve Atlanta's anemic pass rush, he was rebuilding the defense around a bunch of talented but inexperienced players .
Then came a call from Arizona coach Bruce Arians, who wanted someone to bolster the Cardinals' pass rush .
His contribution goes far beyond the field. He's really like having an extra coach on staff.
Is the motivation to succeed as strong as ever?
Once he completes that little self-evaluation, he can decide whether it's time to call it a career.

After establishing himself as one of the greatest pass rushers in NFL history with the Colts, a stint that included two Super Bowl appearances and one championship, Freeney looked like he was finished after two forget