It’s a popular discussion in the Falcons’ chat rooms.
Did the Falcons keep the wrong running back in the Devonta Freeman vs. Tevin Coleman debate?
Some didn’t like that Freeman made contract demands the week of Super Bowl LI after the team landed in Houston and that the team caved in by granting him a new contract.
Since signing an extension for five years and $41.25 million, Freeman has not been as productive.
Last season, Coleman had a chance to shut the door on the debate, but could only muster 800 yards rushing behind that injury-riddled line. Coleman was allowed to leave in free agency and signed a modest two-year, $10 million deal with the 49ers on March 15, 2019, reuniting with former Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. A total of $5.25 million of the deal was guaranteed.
Freeman, who scored his first rushing touchdown last week, has 187 touches from scrimmage for 811 yards and four touchdowns.
Coleman, who’s been surpassed by Raheem Mostert as the top back in San Francisco, has 143 touches for 633 yards and seven touchdowns.
“Tevin has been great,” said Shanahan, now the 49ers head coach. “He’s been everything that we hoped for.”
Coleman started the past two games, but played just 10 snaps against the Ravens and Saints. (Maybe they were resting him for this showdown?)
“It hasn’t been Tevin’s fault, it’s been more about Raheem,” Shanahan said. “Raheem has gotten in early. Anytime time that you’re averaging over six yards a carry, which is what Raheem is doing, he’s one of the only running backs in the last four years to do that. He’s going to get more carries. It’s been more about Raheem. I’ve been pumped to get Tevin here and he’s been everything we hoped for.”
Freeman rushed for 84 yards against the Panthers last Sunday and would have had his first 100-yard game of the season if his 31-yard run wasn’t called back for a holding penalty on wide receiver Christian Blake.
“It’s too bad that Free had his longest one called back by a penalty, the first time we ran the counter play,” offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said. “I thought our (offensive) line and tight ends did a really good job of moving the line of scrimmage.”
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