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Devonta Freeman: Should He Be Worried About Coleman?

By John Buhler

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Devonta Freeman enters his second season in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons as the probable starting running back in new Offensive Coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s backfield.  Freeman essentially moves from third on the Falcons RB depth chart to first after the departures of former Oregon State Beavers Steven Jackson and Jacquizz Rodgers.  But with Falcons General Manager Thomas Dimitroff and new Head Coach Dan Quinn opting to take another running back in the 2015 NFL Draft (Indiana’s Tevin Coleman in the 3rd Round), should Devonta Freeman have concerns about his status as the feature back for the 2015 Atlanta Falcons?

-= Related: Dan Quinn: Best First Year Coaching New NFL Team? =-

Freeman is a winner having helped the 2013 Florida State Seminoles win a National Championship in his Junior season in Tallahassee.  Devonta grew into arguably the Atlanta Falcons most reliable running back in the last quarter of the 2014 regular season when Antone Smith was out due to injury and both Jackson and Rodgers were mostly ineffective.  As a second year player I like Devonta Freeman’s chances to rush for over 750 yards in split action with Coleman and Smith.

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    • While I do love Antone Smith’s knack for breaking off huge runs, I see Tevin Coleman as the primary challenger for Devonta Freeman entering training camp for the starting running back gig.  Coleman was an All-American last season playing for the Indiana Hoosiers, nearly getting a school better known for its basketball program to a bowl game.  Tevin fears no one and nobody will get in his way to become a successful NFL running back.

    Freeman cannot afford to take a single snap off in the Atlanta Falcons backfield as Tevin Coleman is coming to take that starting gig.  While I do see Kyle Shanahan’s RB rotation as more of a 55-35-10 platoon with the starter getting 55% and Antone Smith getting his touches 10% of the time, don’t expect the former Hoosier RB to get complacent and take the 35% when he could have more carries.

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    So yes, Devonta Freeman can’t enter camp as the presumed sure-fire starting tailback for the Atlanta Falcons as I do expect Tevin Coleman to fight on every carry to prove he’s actually the feature back in Flowery Branch.  Sure hustle and grit will play important roles in who ultimately wins the job, but so will production and ball security.  Dan Quinn won’t care if a guy wants it more than another if he can’t break tackles, make plays in space, pass block, or hold on to the football.

    Expect both Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman to elevate each other’s play through some serious competition in training camp and the preseason.  Training Camp officially begins on Friday, July 31st at 10AM ET in Flowery Branch, GA.  Football season, how I’ve missed you.  Please get here as soon as possible.  Until then, Rise Up, ATL!

    Next: Gosder Cherilus: A Fit With The Atlanta Falcons?

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