FLOWERY BRANCH – The Falcons have moved on from their failed attempt to squeeze some extra life out of running back Steven Jackson.
The former star with the St. Louis Rams was waived after two unproductive seasons and his backup, Jacquizz Rodgers, was also released. Jackson, who had strong career and is a 10,000-yard back, appears headed for retirement, while Rodgers was signed by the Chicago Bears.
The Falcons appear set to pick between Devonta Freeman, a fourth-round pick in 2014 and Tevin Coleman, a third-round pick in 2015. Freeman appears to be the front runner, but Coleman is a strong contender. Perhaps, Coleman can take the run downs and Freeman, who caught 30 passes in 2014, could be used as the third-down back.
Terron Ward, an undrafted rookie out of Oregon State, is a strong darkhorse who could land a roster spot. He’s definitely headed for the practice squad at the very least.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Falcons running backs coach Bobby Turner doesn’t believes is a simple matter of plugging in running backs to the team’s new outside-zone rushing attack.
“I hate that when they say plug ‘em in,” Turner said. “Like there is a plug and socket. It’s not that easy. I wish it (were). We have just been fortunate …but the bottom line is finding the right guy to fit the system.”
Turner, who could go with rookie in Coleman this season, helped Washington running back Alfred Morris rush for 1,613 yards as a rookie in 2012. That total was the third most by a rookie in NFL history behind Eric Dickerson (1,808 in 1983) and George Rogers (1,674 in 1981).
Turner likes his stable of backs.
“They have the tools,” Turner said. “They have the foot speed and the hands. It’s just a matter of getting them to turn (around the corner) and getting them to believe and trust in us so that it’s a win-win situation at the end.”
Turner has also worked with former Georgia standout Terrell Davis, when he was named offensive player of the year in 1996 and 1998 in Denver.
In the college ranks, he had Mike Alstott at Purdue, Scottie Graham, Robert Smith, Carlos Snow and Raymont Harris at Ohio State.
Here’s a look at the running backs:
Tevin Coleman, Indiana, 6-1, 210: He certainly will get some snaps and is expected to compete for the starting running back position. Cranked up his game from the middle of his sophomore season through his junior campaign, averaging 142.6 rushing yards per game over the final 21 games of his college career. Owns the Indiana single-season rushing record with 2,036 yards last fall, and he set the mark while going for 228 yards against eventual national champion Ohio State. Also rushed for 307 against Rutgers. Was one of three finalists for the Doak Walker Award and ranked second nationally in rushing in 2014 while averaging 169.7 yards per game. Also caught 25 passes as a junior. Rushed for 958 yards as a sophomore, missing three games with an ankle injury. As a freshman, he rushed for 225 yards, and led the team with a 23.6-yard average on kickoff returns, including one that went 96 yards for a touchdown.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Devonta Freeman, Florida State, 5-8, 206: He took the majority of the snaps with the first unit in the offseason and is determined to win the starting job. He showed flashes of brilliance while catching the ball out of the backfield last season. He should be a good fit in the outside-zone rushing scheme. He caught 30 passes for 225 yards and a touchdown while rushing 65 times for 248 yards and a touchdown.
Antone Smith, Florida State, 5-9, 192: Smith, who is coming back from a broken leg, has been a standout on special teams for the Falcons since 2012. Last season he emerged as a big-play threat while scoring five touchdowns on just 36 touches with each score going for at least 38 yards. Smith believes that he's a fit for the team's new outside-zone blocking scheme. "They want to run the ball here and that's the biggest thing," Smith said. "They want to run the ball. I don't care who's the running back you want to be in this scheme right here. I'm happy for this scheme."
Jerome Smith, Syracuse, 6-0, 226: He finished his career ranked 13th on the Syracuse career rushing yards record list. He also finished tied for ninth in program history with eight 100-yard games. He spent most of last season on the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster on Dec. 24. He played in one game. Some believe he left school a year early, but should now have the strength to pound the ball between the tackles. He runs hard and finishes his runs, but doesn't have electric speed.
Terron Ward, Oregon State, 5-7, 201: He's the brother of Broncos standout safety T.J. Ward and was the only undrafted running back signed by the Falcons this offseason. He rushed for a career-high 696 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Beavers in 2014. He suffered a season-ending knee injury (torn meniscus) in Oregon State's upset of Arizona State in November. He finished his career with 1,843 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns. He also had 87 receptions for 664 receiving yards and was a key player on special teams.
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ATLANTA FALCONS 2015 COUNTDOWN TO CAMP: We started our countdown to training camp 11 days out of Monday. We started with the wide receivers followed by the quarterbacks, running backs, fullbacks/tight ends and the offensive line today. Links are below if you missed one.
Here’s the schedule:
Thursday – Fullbacks/Tight ends
TODAY – Offensive line
Saturday – Defensive line
Sunday – Linebackers
Mon., July 27 – Cornerbacks
Tue., July 28 – Safeties
Wed., July 29 – Special teams
Thur., July 30 -- Assistant coaches (non coordinators)
Friday, July 31 – First day of practice.
TRAINING CAMP SCHEDULE: The Falcons will hold their training camp at the team's headquarters for the 11th consecutive year and will have select practices open to the public from July 31 – August 19.
On Friday, August 7, the Falcons will hold their “Friday Night Lights” controlled scrimmage at Buford High School.
Here’s the training camp schedule:
Friday, July 31 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Saturday, August 1 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Sunday, August 2 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Monday, August 3 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Tuesday, August 4 – Players’ Day Off (No Media Availability)
Wednesday, August 5 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Thursday, August 6 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Friday, August 7 – “Friday Night Lights” (Buford High School – open to the public)
Saturday, August 8 – Players’ Day Off (No Media Availability)
Sunday, August 9 – Practice 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (open to the public)
Monday, August 10 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Tuesday, August 11 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Wednesday, August 12 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Thursday, August 13 – Practice 11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. (open to the public)
Friday, August 14 – Falcons vs. Tennessee Titans, Georgia Dome, 7:00 p.m. ET
Saturday, August 15 – Players’ Day Off (No Media Availability)
Sunday, August 16 – Walkthrough (closed to the public)
Monday, August 17 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Tuesday, August 18 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Wednesday, August 19 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
ROOKIE MINICAMP VIDEOS
VIDEO: Meet Falcons 2nd round pick CB Jalen Collins
VIDEO: Meet Falcons 3rd round pick RB Tevin Coleman
VIDEO: Meet Falcons 4th round pick WR Justin Hardy
VIDEO: Meet Falcons 5th round pick DT Grady Jarrett
VIDEO: Meet Falcons 7th round pick OT Jake Rodgers
VIDEO: Meet Falcons 7th round pick CB Akeem King
AJC's 2015 NFL DRAFT COVERAGE
Falcons pick Vic Beasley, pass on Todd Gurley
Scouting report: Vic Beasley the next DeMarcus Ware or a one-trick pony?
Grady Jarrett escapes fire before Falcons draft him
MARK BRADLEY COLUMN: Vic Beasley: The right pick at the right time
JEFF SCHULTZ COLUMN: Falcons' Quinn determined to fix pass rush in draft
STEVE HUMMER feature on first-round pick Vic Beasley
Falcons add CB Jalen Collins in the second round
Falcons add RB Tevin Coleman in the third round
Falcons' draft bios round 2 through 7
PHOTO GALLERY: Meet the Falcons draft class
VIDEO
Vic Beasley plans to be a double-digit sack guy
Thomas Dimitroff and Dan Quinn on the first round of the draft
Falcons coach Dan Quinn on 4th round pick WR Justin Hardy
Dimitroff and Quinn on 5th round pick DT Grady Jarrett
Quinn on 7th round pick OT Jake Rodgers
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