Devonta Freeman is proving the hype around him in the preseason was the truth. The Atlanta Falcons let go of Steven Jackson and Jacquizz Rodgers at the end of the 2014 season with the idea that Freeman could develop into the workhorse the team has not had since Michael Turner was playing in his prime. Now Freeman is leading the NFL in touchdowns and carrying the Falcons' offense. Will that change with Tevin Coleman returning to the field.
The Falcons drafted Coleman with the idea that he would run tandem with Freeman. Both running backs were injured in the preseason and Coleman got the starting nod in the first two weeks because he got healthy first. After an impressive showing, Coleman suffered fractured ribs in the win over the New York Giants and has yet to return, until now.
According to head coach Dan Quinn via ESPN.com, the Falcons are hopeful that Coleman returns to the practice field on Wednesday with the idea that he could be worked into the Week 5 game against the Washington Redskins. The biggest question is how that will impact the running back rotation. Freeman has 209 yards and six touchdowns in the past two weeks alone with Coleman sitting out. Will the rookie throw the numbers off?
"It probably would, to a certain degree,'' Quinn said, via ESPN.com. "But we have such confidence in Devonta that he's going to make the opportunities count -- his toughness, his finish. He plays with such a physical style. I think we have a heck of a 1-2 combination between Devonta and Tevin.''
There are worse things than trying to figure out how to work in two talented running backs. It is similar to the wide receiver rotation as the Falcons continue to get unexpected production out of Leonard Hankerson. Signed in free agency, Hankerson was a wild card option who has turned out to be Matt Ryan's second-favorite target. That has left Roddy White with two catchless games on the season and while he wants to win, he also wants the ball.
"For me, at the end of the day, I want to catch passes," White said, via ESPN.com. "I'm not out here just f---ing around just to sit around to just block f---ing people all day. It's not what I want to do. I've contributed to offenses for this franchise for the last nine, 10 years. It always bothers me when I go out and don't catch any balls in a game because it hasn't happened in so long."
Ryan told the media that White is very much a big part of the offense regardless of the stats. Defenses are still respecting White which is opening up windows for Hankerson and undrafted rookie Nick Williams. White told ESPN that he has no plans on asking Shanahan for more catches and that he simply will continue about his business and helping the team win.
"I don't," White said. "I just stay consistent. I just have to handle my business and what I can do; be the best football player I can be. He's going to do what he has to do."
