Over the past few years the Atlanta Falcons have operated with a veteran as their leading rusher. Michael Turner was a success while Steven Jackson was not. After letting Jackson along with Jacquizz Rodgers go in free agency, the Falcons are relying on youth to get the job done. As OTAs kick off, the running back battle is one of the more interesting storylines for the team as Antone Smith returns healthy for the competition.
Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman have been splitting reps since the start of practice and now Smith is healthy and ready to toss his name in the ring. After suffering a broken leg the ended his breakout 2014 season early, Smith is back on the field as reported by the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Smith earned a contract extension this offseason despite the injury and is now ready to prove last year was not a fluke. Smith was reportedly running without hesitation, making cuts and excelling in team drills. Smith is not expected to contend for the starting spot, but he has proven to be a solid secret weapon for the Falcons which they will rely on once again.
Head coach Dan Quinn told SiriusXM NFL Radio that he is encouraging the battle between Freeman and Coleman in order to help make both players better in the long run. Freeman was the assumed starter for 2015 until Coleman was drafted out of Indiana. Several NFL analysts believe Coleman could turn out to be the better back, but Freeman has no intentions of letting up easily.
"I take a lot of pride in (being the go-to guy)," Freeman said, via the team's official website. "This has always been my dream. I never had a dream to come to the NFL and play second to (any) man."
The Falcons' offense is expected to look much different than last year as coordinator Kyle Shanahan takes over. The run game is expected to be a focus along with more mobility out of Matt Ryan. The quarterback has not exactly been known as a runner during his time in Atlanta, but Ryan stressed that he feels really comfortable outside of the pocket and believes it will be another element the team can use.
"I think it's a good fit," Ryan said, via ESPN.com. "Obviously, I've been able to move around at different times in my career. It wasn't a featured part of what we were doing with Dirk here. If you look early in my career with Mike Mularkey, we did a lot of outside-the-pocket movement and a lot of throwing on the run. When we had that running and rolling with [running back] Mike Turner, it was more effective. I feel like I'm capable of doing it. I've got no issues with that. Like I said, I think it will be a good fit."
