FLOWERY BRANCH -- For the first time in his NFL career, Falcons running back Mike Davis will enter the season as the unquestioned lead running back on his team.
A former standout at Stephenson High and South Carolina standout, who’s with his fifth team, Davis has had some ups and downs in the NFL, but is ready to go when the Falcons face the Eagles at 1 p.m. Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
“It’s most definitely been a long journey,” Davis said Thursday. “I can tell you the difference is really just confidence.”
Davis was drafted by the 49ers in the fourth round of the 2015 draft. He backed up Carlos Hyde in San Francisco (2015 and 2016), Chris Carson in Seattle (2017 and 2018), David Montgomery in Chicago (2019) and Christian McCaffrey in Carolina (2020). The Falcons signed Davis to a two-year, $5.5 million contract.
Also, the Falcons signed special-teamer and former wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson in free agency to back up Davis. Patterson, a four-time Pro Bowler as a kickoff returner, had a career-high 64 carries last season. Wayne Gallman, a former Grayson High and Clemson standout, signed to be the third running back and help on special teams.
Davis didn’t play in the exhibition season, but declare himself ready for the season opener Sunday.
“Out here in practice going against my teammates, building that confidence, I can see the difference in practice already,” Davis said. “That’s the major thing. I haven’t thought about what I’ve been through, really. It’s always on my mind, but as far as this game, I’m just going forward.”
Since he knew he wouldn’t play in the exhibition games, Davis directed his energy elsewhere.
“My focus was to learn the playbook,” Davis said. “Be out there and make sure I know exactly what to do and not be guessing. Make sure that I’m in great shape and that I’m ready to go Week 1.”
When McCaffrey went down last season, Davis became the No. 1 back for the Panthers.
He rushed 165 times for 642 yards and scored six rushing touchdowns. He also caught 59 passes for 373 yards and two touchdowns.
He grew up watching the Falcons and was a fan of former quarterback Michael Vick. Michael Jenkins, Alge Crumpler, Warrick Dunn and T.J. Duckett were some of his other favorites.
“It’s just like being home, and playing for the team that you’ve grown up watching is always amazing,” Davis said. “Whenever you can play in front of your friends, fans and family, it’s always great. You want to go out and do well every time.”
Davis said he’s also playing for the youth of the city.
“I just want to an inspiration for the kids in Atlanta,” Davis said. “Doing everything that I can for them to let them know that it’s possible to make it out. I did it, you can also do it as will.”
Davis said it would be unwise to doubt that Patterson, who played at Tennessee is a running back.
“Man, I seen everything from Cordarrelle,” Davis said. “People who don’t think he’s a running back, you will see this season. He’s been out here working hard. That’s just what he does. He does whatever the coach ask him to do”
Falcons offensive coordinator Dave Ragone has a plan for the running backs.
“I think for us, the way we’ll go about the running back position with whoever is out there, we want them to get a feel for how we are running the football and how they can win up front,” said Ragone, who was with Davis in Chicago. “In terms of quota or a certain number of carries that we want, we don’t approach it that way.”
Patterson also was with Ragone in Chicago.
“I have a decent feel,” Ragone said. “Coach (Arthur) Smith has been around these guys for months and has a decent feel. How he calls the game is how he sees fit for those running backs to go out there and play. I expect those guys to go out there and do their jobs.”
Ragone, like Davis, insisted that Patterson is a running back.
“CP, to me, first and foremost is a tremendous football player,” Ragone said. “But yeah, he’s a running back to us.”
Gallman was signed after he was released by the 49ers.
“Wayne is a guy last year who had some production (for the Giants),” Ragone said. “He hit the free-agency market and went to San Francisco. We were fortunate enough to get him after San Francisco.”
Gallman will start out playing on special teams.
“We want to see how well he picks up things and how well he practices,” Ragone said. “Then our ability to coach him in the things he needs to do better. That’s what we are here for. We are going to continue to bring him along in that process.”
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