birdz4i Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) -- Devonta Freeman believes he is next in line to be the Falcons' starting running back. He has made an early statement that he won't be outworked for the job.The team released veteran Steven Jackson, the starter the last two years. Backup Jacquizz Rodgers signed with the Bears.Freeman is the leading returning rusher with 248 yards and one touchdown as a rookie.Following the Falcons' first day of organized team activities, new coach Dan Quinn said ''I love the competitive attitude that Devonta brings.''Freeman said he worked through the offseason to be ready for this opportunity. Quinn has noticed.''To me, having the best offseason you've ever had, he's one of the guys who is like 'Here coach, I'm ready,''' Quinn said. ''He wanted to be the first at doing everything. That told you the competitor he is.''The first at everything?That includes being the first back to take a handoff from Matt Ryan.Atlanta drafted running back Tevin Coleman from Indiana in the third round. Only minutes after being drafted, Coleman said ''I'm going to come in there and I'm going to get the starting spot.''Coleman also said ''whoever is in the starting spot, they're going to have to work because I'm coming in there and working right away.''Too late. Freeman already was working to protect his place in line as the leading returning rusher.''I take a lot of pride in that,'' Freeman said. ''This means a lot to me. This has always been my dream. I never had a dream to come to the NFL and play second to no man.''Freeman spent the offseason working with a trainer in Miami.''I didn't really take a break,'' he said. ''I went hard. ... I just went full-throttle. I didn't take days off. Football is all I know and all I love. ... I was always working.''Quinn said he knew Freeman had ''terrific hands'' when he was drafted out of Florida State.''Now to add what he is doing in the run game, I can't wait to watch him work,'' Quinn said. ''He doesn't back down from anything. That's one of the things I like about Devonta the most. He gets every challenge and 'Yep, I'm ready for the next one.' That's one of the things I really do admire about him and his game.''Antone Smith, who has shown big-play potential, especially as a receiver out of the backfield, also returns at running back. Another option is Jerome Smith, a second-year player from Syracuse.NOTES: Wearing No. 44, OLB Vic Beasley, the No. 8 overall pick in the NFL draft, participated even though he has not signed with the team. Quinn said Beasley, the former Clemson star, DE Adrian Clayborn and OLB Kroy Biermann stood out in third-down pass-rush drills. ... Among players who were rehabbing with the training staff and not cleared to participate were S William Moore (shoulder), OT Sam Baker (knee), CB Dezmen Southward (knee), RB Antone Smith (leg), LB Brooks Reed (groin), C Joe Hawley (knee) and OT Jake Matthews (foot).http://sports.yahoo.com/news/freeman-makes-opening-bid-falcons-starting-rb-191232545--nfl.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuggle'2 Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 Giggity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasterBateser Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 Giggity.Go take a cold shower buddy haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MayorWest13 Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 I'll be so amazed if coleman doesn't get the starting spot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hingle McCringleberry Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 If both coleman and freeman can bring that attitude to the regular season, this should be an interesting season with the running game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtybird56 Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 I expect big things from both Freeman and Coleman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Culain_04 Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 It doesn't hurt at all to have two hungry Rb's, if they split carries it doesn't matter who starts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuggle'2 Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 It doesn't hurt at all to have two hungry Rb's, if they split carries it doesn't matter who starts.This guy gets it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FentayeJones Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 It doesn't hurt at all to have two hungry Rb's, if they split carries it doesn't matter who starts.Exactly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Doktor Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 As he should. Its his job and he needs to come in and act the part. Anything less is ******* unacceptable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanadonis Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 As he should. Its his job and he needs to come in and act the part. Anything less is ******* unacceptable.ummmm ok? Anger much? In Fact, BAN, TROLL, BAN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Passprotection Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 First time in a LONG time where I feel that the best man will start regardless of position, pay, age, or experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goal2Go Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 Giggity.I say never let them know who is starting until week 1 and make them FIGHT FOR IT!! Then we will see who wants it more!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
putnam6 Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 https://youtu.be/G7ajdZzgR74 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuggle'2 Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 I say never let them know who is starting until week 1 and make them FIGHT FOR IT!! Then we will see who wants it more!! I say do that for all 19 weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magic Man Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 Love this.. Don't care who the starter is, I just want to have an offense that eats yards and can convert a 3rd down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eastside_bird Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 Among players who were rehabbing with the training staff and not cleared to participate were S William Moore (shoulder), OT Sam Baker (knee), CB Dezmen Southward (knee), RB Antone Smith (leg), LB Brooks Reed (groin), C Joe Hawley (knee) and OT Jake Matthews (foot).So the 60% of the starting Oline is hurt?Who's running behind that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuggle'2 Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 Among players who were rehabbing with the training staff and not cleared to participate were S William Moore (shoulder), OT Sam Baker (knee), CB Dezmen Southward (knee), RB Antone Smith (leg), LB Brooks Reed (groin), C Joe Hawley (knee) and OT Jake Matthews (foot).So the 60% of the starting Oline is hurt?Who's running behind thatWelcome to the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eastside_bird Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 Welcome to the future. I expected Baker but not the other 2. They need time to gel ASAP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeamPlayer1 Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 I would love to have Freeman and Coleman have a competition during games. "Oh yeah! Let me show you what I've got!" A friendly competition of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eastside_bird Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 I would love to have Freeman and Coleman have a competition during games. "Oh yeah! Let me show you what I've got!" A friendly competition of course.Competition is always a good thing. They will push each other. A rookie wanting respect and a guy who doesnt wanna lose out to him. Good scenario Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lornoth Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Among players who were rehabbing with the training staff and not cleared to participate were S William Moore (shoulder), OT Sam Baker (knee), CB Dezmen Southward (knee), RB Antone Smith (leg), LB Brooks Reed (groin), C Joe Hawley (knee) and OT Jake Matthews (foot).So the 60% of the starting Oline is hurt?Who's running behind thatI wouldn't call Baker a starter at this point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hibachi Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Heck put both running back at the same time,let the defense figure it out then let Ryan call a passing play. Problem solve; Touchdown Julio Jones! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuggle'2 Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Heck put both running back at the same time,let the defense figure it out then let Ryan call a passing play. Problem solve; Touchdown Julio Jones!I really hope to see quite a bit of this actually. Could be lethal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldskooler Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 It doesn't hurt at all to have two hungry Rb's, if they split carries it doesn't matter who starts.It won't matter to us.It won't matter to the coaches.It matters a great deal to Freeman and Coleman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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