The backfield is getting crowded. Falcons running back Antone Smith has thrown his helmet into derby to replace Steven Jackson.
Smith, who’d been out of action since suffering a broken leg on Nov. 16 against Carolina, returned to practice during the Falcons open OTA non-contact session on Tuesday.
“It felt pretty good,” Smith said. “I’ve been running for months, but to actually get out here run, cut and try to get keep guys from getting the ball out of your hands, was great. It was a great day for me today.”
He has company. Smith, also a special teams standout, watched Devonta Freeman and rookie Tevin Coleman take most of the snaps at running back. They remain the top challengers for the starting job.
“I think my biggest test is when I actually take that first shot,” Smith said.
When the Falcons selected running back Coleman in the third-round of the draft, Freeman, a fourth-round pick from FSU in 2014, knew he would jump into the battle to replace Jackson, who was released after two ineffective seasons.
“I feel that competition drives every single player on this earth,” Freeman said. “I feel like it gives me that drive, knowing that there is another guy that’s just as good. It should just bring the best out of both of us or however many guys it is.”
Freeman, who played in all 16 games last season, showed flashes of brilliance, picking up 248 yards in 65 carries with one rushing touchdowns. He also flashed his nifty hands for 30 catches for 225 yards and a touchdown.
Coleman, who’s considered a perfect fit for the teams new outside-zone running scheme, rushed for more than 2,000 yards at Indiana last year.
“Tevin Coleman at running back is an improvement because it gives Devonta Freeman someone who can give him a break,” said former NFL executive Bill Polian, an analyst SiriusXM NFL radio. “(Rookie) Terron Ward I’m interested in seeing. That will sort itself out. As long as they stay healthy, they are pretty good (at running back).”
Ward is an undrafted rookie from Oregon State who’ll see some action in the offseason. The Falcons also have running back Jerome Smith, a former standout at Syracuse, on the roster.
But most the attention will be on the battle between Freeman and Coleman.
“They have the tools,” Falcons running back coach Bobby Turner said. “They have the foot speed and the hands. It’s just a matter of getting them turns (up field) and getting them to believe and trust in us. It’s a win-win situation at the end.”
Freeman, who helped Florida State win the national championship after the 2013 season, believes the system fits him, too.
“I’ve embraced that,” Freeman said. “I’m a running back and I want to run the ball.”
Freeman has studied the new system, which has its roots in Denver with Mike Shanahan, Kyle Shanahan’s father and the former Broncos coach. The list of Denver backs who have rushed for more than 1,000 yards in long.
“I want to do more with my athleticism,” Freeman said. “That’s one thing that I’m looking forward to. I’m challenging myself.”
Freeman believes he can build off his solid rookie season.
“As a professional, things have slowed down a lot,” Freeman said.
Freeman has also worked on his pass protection since his rookie season.
“On pass protection, I think I got better at that last year,” Freeman said. “I can always improve. I just have to continue to learn the scheme.”
Quarterback Matt Ryan likes the new depth at running back.
“I don’t think you can ever have enough depth at that position,” Ryan said. “That’s one thing you see in the NFL now is that teams use a lot of guys. I think it’s a good thing for us.
“Obviously, we drafted Tevin to come in and help us out. We’ve got Devonta and some other young guys that can help us there. I always feel like the more good players you have, that’s a good thing. I’m sure all of those guys will help us out next season.”
Falcons head coach Dan Quinn wants to see how the competition unfolds over the offseason and into training camp.
“I can’t want to watch (Freeman) work,” Quinn said. “He doesn’t back down from anything.”
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