Preparing to make the first start of his professional career on Sunday, Devonta Freeman said he will bring some aggression to the Falcons’ running game.
Freeman said knowing that he will be starting in place of injured rookie Tevin Coleman Sunday in Dallas has not affected how he’s practiced.
“I always tell myself, if you’re not the starter, you’re always one play away,” Freeman said. “Everyone who plays has an injury (at some point), so you never know. I think it’s very important to have that mindset everyday and come prepared everyday to practice.”
Tackle Jake Matthews said he and the rest of the Falcons’ line are excited to see Freeman get the start against the Cowboys.
“We love seeing (Freeman) back there,” Matthews said. “He’s a great player and makes (the line) look good.”
Freeman said he’s still trying to get into the rhythm of the offense since recovering from a hamstring injury that sidelined him nearly all preseason.
Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said Freeman’s performance in the first two games has erased any fear of weakness from his hamstring trouble.
“He’s gotten his legs back under him and I feel like he’s fully healthy,” Shanahan said. “He got a few more reps last week once Tevin went down and I feel like he’s finally healthy enough where he can handle the position he’s going to be in this week.”
Before suffering a cracked rib last Sunday against the Giants, Coleman had 29 carries for 112 yards and one touchdown. Freeman has 22 carries for 43 yards and one touchdown, while averaging only 1.95 yards per carry. Last season, Freeman averaged 3.8 yards per carry.
Coach Dan Quinn has stressed improving the running game after his team was held to 56 rushing yards in their 24-20 win against the Giants.
“Our run game has got to come alive,” Quinn said. “We have our work cut out for us in terms of allowing our runner to run one gap at a time, staying on track and then making our cuts.”
Quinn said that with Coleman out indefinitely, he feels fortunate to have reserves like Freeman and rookie Terron Ward who can step in.
Quinn said regardless of who starts at running back, the Falcons offensive scheme will not change. He said the Falcons have a major challenge in the Cowboys’ defense. Against Philadelphia last Sunday, the Cowboys held the Eagles to 7 rushing yards.
Matthews said what’s most important for a productive ground game against the Cowboys is effective communication.
“We know what we can do and what we’re capable of and the biggest thing is just executing,” Matthews said. “Especially on the road, it’s going to be loud. We have to make sure we know who we’re going to. We’re confident in the game plan that we’re practicing and we’re going to be successful.”
Freeman, like Matthews, said the key to developing a more powerful run game is everyone being on the same page on every play.
“It’s starts with everyone,” Freeman said. “We just have to put all the pieces together. I want to be a dominant running team. Even though it’s hard to run the ball in the NFL, we have to run.”
Shanahan said with the Falcons being held to 161 rushing yards thus far, it’s just a matter of time before the team breaks through.
“We didn’t do very well last week with stats and everything but the run game is hard work for everyone,” Shanahan said. “We have to keep sticking with it. Everyone’s got to work. It takes all of our guys.”
