Atlanta Falcons: Freeman, Coleman Back in Practice

In today’s training camp session at Flowery Branch, the Atlanta Falcons welcomed back both featured tailbacks Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman as well as linebacker Brooks Reed in some capacity.

All three Atlanta Falcons were not able to take part in Friday night’s preseason game at home versus the Tennessee Titans. While it’s too early to tell what their availabilities are heading into this Friday’s matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium, having all three men back to some degree was a breath of fresh air on this overcast Monday morning in the Greater Atlanta area.

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Both Freeman and Coleman will need to see live-game action in new Offensive Coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s zone blocking scheme for me to feel comfortable about the Falcons’ rushing attack heading into Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football.

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While the two other projected starting linebackers Justin Durant and Paul Worrilow had strong games against the Titans Friday night at the Georgia Dome, Brooks Reed continues to miss significant time with a myriad of injuries this offseason. Though he may know what Head Coach Dan Quinn, Defensive Coordinator Richard Smith and Linebackers Coach Jeff Ulbrich expect out of his as a presumed starter, I still need to see Brooks Reed on the field in Atlanta Falcons’ red and black before we just hand him the starting gig.

Freeman said when asked about his return to practice from a hamstring injury suffered prior to the first preseason game, “This is football. Injuries happen. It’s just crazy that all of them have happened to the same leg, same hamstring. I know I have to take care of my body a lot better and put in the extra time in treatment.”

This is something that Devonta Freeman needs to realize if he wants to become a featured back. How he takes care of his body off the field in conditioning, nutrition, and work with the training staff will ultimately dictate how long and effective of a career he will have in the NFL. I understand that injuries are part of the game, but if Freeman views himself as the leader of the Atlanta backfield, he needs to prove it on the field in live game action and do his very best to try to stay healthy.

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I wouldn’t expect him to get more than maybe a few carries against the New York Jets, if any at all Friday. It’s probably more important for the supposed starting running back of the Atlanta Falcons to get close to full strength in the ever-crucial third preseason game.

In the third week of preseason, that’s usually when the starters get the most playing time in what is simply a glorified dress rehearsal heading into the season. Week 4 of the preseason focuses more on who completes the 53-man roster and practice squad.

If I had to guess, I would say that both Tevin Coleman and Brooks Reed get a good bit of playing time on Friday night against the Jets, while Devonta Freeman plays maybe a series with the first teamers. Coleman still has not appeared in his first professional game.

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The jitters are obviously there and they affect most rookies. Just look at Justin Hardy in the early part of the preseason affair with the Titans. After a few catches he settled in nicely and help keep the offense competitive for both TJ Yates and Sean Renfree when they were under center despite not having much of a ground game to work with.

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