The Atlanta Falcons are prepared to kick their 2015 season off on ESPN's Monday Night Football against the Philadelphia Eagles as a new era begins for the team. With Dan Quinn now head coach, the Falcons are hoping their defense is much more aggressive while Kyle Shanahan steps in to take care of the offense. According to owner Arthur Blank, the Falcons are not focused on rebuilding and want to win now as they put their faith in some new additions to step up in Week 1.
The run game will take center stage for the Falcons on Monday night. Fantasy owners are hoping that Tevin Coleman is worth the hype that surrounded him following the draft. The rookie ended the preseason on a high note and has earned the starting spot while Devonta Freeman continues to heal a hamstring injury. According to ESPN's Vaughn McClure, Freeman is healthy, but the Falcons do not plan on rushing him into work just yet. That means the majority of the carries will go to Coleman, but do not expect that trend to continue during the season.
"It's going to be something special, me and Devonta,'' Coleman said, via ESPN.com. "When we get healthy and we get back, we're going to be dangerous out there. I'm just going to be excited working out there and competing every day with Devonta making me better and me making Devonta better. We're just going to go out there and do what we do."
Coleman is a fantasy starter for Week 1 at least while the receiving rotation remains uncertain. Of course Julio Jones steps into the No.1 spot after signing a nice five-year contract extension to make him the highest-paid receiver in the league. According to McClure, Devin Hester will miss the game against the Eagles as he heals from turf toe. Hester is expected to miss at least two games which means players like Leonard Hankerson, Justin Hardy and Nick Williams have pressure on them to step up. Hankerson will be a favored option for quarterback Matt Ryan while Eric Weems also steps up.
One good piece of news for Atlanta is that Roddy White is healthy and ready to play. The veteran receiver underwent elbow surgery just as the preseason started, but has been ruled healthy and ready to play. White's impact in the first game is unknown since he did miss all of the preseason, but he will be a starter regardless.