The Falcons plan on handing the ball off to running back Tevin Coleman more this season.
Although the Falcons heavily relied on Devonta Freeman to run the ball last season, coach Dan Quinn spoke of confidence in the duo of young running backs on Monday.
“Knowing the different things that they do best as well, both of them are complete backs and can play on all downs and that’s why we’re so fortune,” Quinn said. “We’re going to need them both. We’re going to lean on them both this year and if we can find a way to best feature them in doing the things they do.”
Currently listed behind Freeman on the depth chart, Coleman had 87 carries for 392 yards in 2015 and started season listed as the starting running back. After suffering a rib injury in week two, Freeman jumped Coleman on the depth chart kept the position for the rest of the season. At the end of last season, Coleman averaged just over 13 carries per game and Freeman averaged 17 carries per game.
Freeman owned 66 percent of the Falcons’ 1,611 rushing yards last season, ranking among the top 10 running backs in the NFL.
With one year under his belt and no major coaching changes, there’s no learning curve for Coleman like their was in his rookie season. If Coleman can stay healthy, the combination of he and Freeman could become a major offensive threat.
“Both of them are very good competitors, but you love the spirit they have going back and forth between them,” Quinn said. “It is a duo for sure and we’re going to lean on them both hard, both in the run game and out of the backfield as well.”
The Falcons run game last season ranked 18th in the League with 100.7 average rushing yards per game.
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