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Thursday, October 6, 2005
Coleman giving foes fits
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Falcons defensive tackle Rod Coleman is arguably playing better than anyone at his position in the league. He has five sacks, two passes defensed, two forced fumbles and 11 tackles.
He’s been this disruptive while playing roughly 30 snaps a game. Better yet, he’s been this disruptive BECAUSE he’s playing roughly 30 snaps a game. Coleman, who at 285 pounds is 15 pounds lighter than he played when he was with Oakland, is almmost always fresh, allowing him to use his physical gifts to overwhelm offensive linemen — especially late in games. Coleman made a series if huge plays in the fourth quarter against Philadelphia and Buffalo and simply ran roughshod over the Vikings last weekend.
The first three games, rookie Jonathan Babineaux spelled Coleman. Against the Vikings, and likely against the Patriots, Babineaux will be used at Brady Smith’s backup at right end. That doesn’t mean more work for Coleman, though. Chad Lavalais and Antwan Lake, more stout than the sleek Coleman, will bear a lot of the grunt work in the three tackle rotation, especially on running downs.
It could be hard for any Falcons’ defensive lineman to get to Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, because he gets rid of the ball so quickly, but the way Coleman is playing and the way the Falcons’ rotation is succeeding, Brady could at least feel some pressure.
