The Falcons want to use Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman as co-lead running backs this season. The plan is to feature both and take advantage of their respective strengths while keeping them fresh.
There’s more to it than just splitting time, though. The Falcons want Freeman and Coleman both to be every-down backs. Theoretically that could make it more difficult for opponents to key on either one, provide more opportunities for mismatches and keep the playbook open no matter which is in the backfield.
“I want them all to be able to do everything,” Falcons running back coach Bobby Turner said.
The Falcons want their backs to rush and receive and also be versatile within those broad categories.
That means they can produce no matter the play type, make explosive runs and scrape out yards when few are available. It means Falcons backs can catch the ball no matter where they line up — backfield, slot, wide — and pick up blitzing defenders when they don’t run a route.
“You’ve got to know how to run physical, make people miss, run past people, catch the ball and (pass) protect good,” Devonta Freeman said. “It’s a lot, but that’s what makes you elite.”
In 2015, his second pro season, Freeman played 15 games and rushed for 1,056 yards and 11 touchdowns and caught 73 passes for 578 yards and three TDs. He earned his first Pro Bowl selection in his first season as the main back.
Freeman said he’s been “‘crafting’ every day trying to get better, especially in pass protection.” If playing time for the running backs is going to depend on the ability to do it all, then Freeman said he’s focused on fine-tuning his game so there will be few weaknesses.
“When it comes crunch time and the game is on the line, I want to be in there,” Freeman said.
Coleman showed enough as a rookie that the Falcons are trying to find ways to get him the ball.
Coleman has never returned kicks as a pro, but the Falcons could make him the primary returner on kickoffs. The Falcons hardly involved Coleman in the passing game last season (two catches on 11 targets), but he’s been lining up as a wide receiver early in training camp.
“It’s the speed that he has,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “You know if a linebacker has to go out, that’s not a matchup as a linebacker you like going out to get singled out. We’re trying to have that as a featured part of our game.”
Coleman missed four games because of injury in 2015. He had 392 yards on 87 carries with one touchdown, but also fumbled three times.
The fumbles didn’t help Coleman’s cause, and he said it took him a while to master Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
“It was hard to learn the offense because it was just so new,” Coleman said. “I didn’t really pick it up (completely) until like near the end of the season. Now I’m more comfortable and know the plays, and I can learn new things like running the receiver routes.”
Freeman and Coleman played 10 full games together. In those games Freeman had 231 touches and Coleman 71. Quinn said the plan is for Coleman to get more touches this season.
Turner said Freeman and Coleman “are becoming the complete package.” He said their touches each week would largely depend on the game plan for the opponent, but as with all aspects of the game, the plan is subject to change depending on what’s working best that day.
“At the end of the day it’s not about how many carries, it’s not about how many catches,” Turner said. “It’s about who can contribute and help us win the game.”
