Catches Could Give Atlanta Falcons' Devonta Freeman Edge At Running Back

[theProf]

Catches could give Atlanta Falcons' Devonta Freeman edge at running back

Vaughn McClure, ESPN Staff Writer

Watching Devonta Freeman sprint deep down the left sideline and corral a Matt Ryan pass behind the defense shouldn't have been much of a surprise to observers last week.

Freeman, the Atlanta Falcons' second-year running back, takes pride in every aspect of his game, including pass-catching. He showed flashes of sure hands last season, such as an impressive, 36-yard reception in a late-season win at New Orleans. On that particular play, Freeman motioned out wide right against Saints linebacker Curtis Lofton. He blew by Lofton on the go route and even adjusted to make the catch, much like a seasoned wide receiver would do.

So when Freeman made that grab during organized team activities last week, it looked routine.

"I feel like I don't want to come off the field," Freeman said."I want to do everything that they say running backs can't do. I want to be a complete back: the third-and-1s, the catching out the backfield. Whatever it takes to stay on the field, that's my mentality. I feel like running backs kind of get downgraded. But me, I want to bring it back to where we're able to do everything."

Freeman's ability to catch balls and run routes should bode well for his chances of staying ahead of rookie Tevin Coleman and explosive Antone Smith in the running back competition. New Falcons offensive Kyle Shanahan has had some capable pass-catching running backs in the past such as Steve Slaton in Houston and Roy Helu in Washington. But Shanahan has never had a great one.

Maybe Freeman is the guy.

"Devonta has a chance to really excel in both the run and pass game," Shanahan said.

Freeman had 30 catches for 225 yards and a touchdown as a rookie. Sometimes such numbers can be inflated when a quarterback throws check downs regularly for minimal gains. However, Freeman truly showed versatility in catching screen passes, deep balls and even quick slants.

So what's the secret to his hands? Freeman had to give some credit to former Florida State teammate Jameis Winston, the first-overall draft pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

"Jameis, being the guy that he is, he doesn't mind checking the ball down to you," said Freeman, who caught 22 passes for 278 yards and a touchdown during Florida State's national title season. "And I was the type of athlete that I didn't want to get out the game. So I had to make sure I had hands. We created that relationship, and he just trusted me. Jameis would check it down, hit me out in the flat or whatever it took to get a first down. Jameis helped me out a lot. So did Jacob Coker and E.J. Manuel. I've been around a few great quarterbacks."

Freeman politely declined to reveal all his pass-catching secrets, but he did offer a little more insight. He previously worked out with fellow Miami native and current Cleveland Browns receiver Dwayne Bowe. He often caught passes in the offseason from Canadian Football League quarterback Rakeem Cato, another Miami native who played college ball at Marshall.

Not to mention catching the football is something Freeman grew accustomed to even back to his Pop Warner days.

"I've always been in a pass-run balanced offense, so I've always kind of had to work on my hands," Freeman said. "It's kind of natural for me."

Balance is the key word for the Falcons going into the 2015 season. Strong running from Freeman, Coleman and Smith in Shanahan's outside-zone blocking scheme should help set up explosive passing plays to the likes of Julio Jones off play action. Having a pass-catching threat such as Freeman out of the backfield simply allows Shanahan to open up the play book a bit more.

Falcons coach Dan Quinn gushed over Freeman as a receiver from the outset. Quinn, formerly the defensive coordinator in Seattle, was asked about pass catching being a determining factor in the running back competition. The final four playoff teams from a year ago -- the Patriots, Colts, Packers and Quinn's Seahawks -- all boasted running backs with 37 or more receptions and three or more touchdown catches to their credit.

"It's such a huge factor for a running back who can catch coming out of the backfield," Quinn said. "For the guy who are suspect hands, well, that's not as big a threat when a guy like that goes into the game. So fortunately for us, with the guys we're going to feature, pass catching is going to be a big part, whether we bring him out of the backfield, aligning them empty, motion out to empty. All that is going to be a factor."

http://espn.go.com/blog/atlanta-falcons/post/_/id/13892/hands-could-give-atlanta-falcons-devonta-freeman-edge-in-running-back-battle

[ChessPlayer1]

Tevin Coleman's hands are 8 5/8 inches

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/tevin-coleman?id=2552453

Devonta Freeman's hands are 9 5/8 inches

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/devonta-freeman?id=2543583

Freeman has full 1 inch advantage in hand size despite being several inches shorter. I read that Coleman has had problems with fumbles in the past. Freeman may have the better hands.

[theProf]

Tevin Coleman's hands are 8 5/8 inches

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/tevin-coleman?id=2552453

Devonta Freeman's hands are 9 5/8 inches

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/devonta-freeman?id=2543583

Freeman has full 1 inch advantage in hand size despite being several inches shorter. I read that Coleman has had problems with fumbles in the past. Freeman may have the better hands.

Thanks for the info. I didn't realize there was that much difference in their respective hand sizes. For comparison purposes, rookie WR Justin Hardy's hand size is 10", which is considered to be very large hands for a receiver.

[Macintez]

Freeman could be the next Brian Westbrook if used correctly. Defenses hate having to deal with versatile backs... It makes a offense that much unpredictable. If Freeman has improved his pass blocking he could definitely get the majority of playing time.

[blizzard_falcon]

Freeman could be the next Brian Westbrook if used correctly. Defenses hate having to deal with versatile backs... It makes a offense that much unpredictable. If Freeman has improved his pass blocking he could definitely get the majority of playing time.

That's the huge key for him, especially since Coleman is supposed to be a pro-ready pass protector.

[Ben Day Hoe]

I think he will have a better and healthier line to run behind. He is familiar with zbs. I'm sure he worked on the pass blocking too. Ten more Sundays😀

[Knight of God]

I have heard a few times. Freeman will be used as a workhorse. Coleman will be 3rd down back and short yardage and Tone will be utility back.

[Tuggle'2]

I have been telling everyone since day one his hands are amazing. If used correctly and I am seeing that Shanahan is planning on it, he can be an amazing receiving threat. So happy to hear that they're recognizing it. This staff impresses me more and more everyday. It is extremely refreshing.

#RAWR

[Knight of God]

I have been telling everyone since day one his hands are amazing. If used correctly and I am seeing that Shanahan is planning on it, he can be an amazing receiving threat. So happy to hear that they're recognizing it. This staff impresses me more and more everyday. It is extremely refreshing.

#RAWR

Yeah, we will definitely see what he's got. Will be first string.

[vel]

Personally I see Freeman as a Pierre Thomas back. That's a complement. Pierre was the thorn in our sides every time we played. He always made timely plays and found first downs that should have been there. He should hover in that 800-1200 all purpose yards range in my opinion. He's just good at almost everything. Not great, but his attitude is what will keep him going.

[Knight of God]

Personally I see Freeman as a Pierre Thomas back. That's a complement. Pierre was the thorn in our sides every time we played. He always made timely plays and found first downs that should have been there. He should hover in that 800-1200 all purpose yards range in my opinion. He's just good at almost everything. Not great, but his attitude is what will keep him going.

We will definitely see.

[Draftnut57]

As well as Freeman ran last year.. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why they didn't let him run more to open up the passing game.. That problem is now gone, and I'd say as long as we are making yards on he ground, Quinn will take what they give.. That is why I love our new Coach. He's uses common sense.

[FentayeJones]

I have been telling everyone since day one his hands are amazing. If used correctly and I am seeing that Shanahan is planning on it, he can be an amazing receiving threat. So happy to hear that they're recognizing it. This staff impresses me more and more everyday. It is extremely refreshing.

#RAWR

He played behind Quizz and S Jax and had more receptions than both of them. His hand are very underrated.

[TSprings]

Everyone wants to write-in Davonta Freeman as the answer at Running Back.

I was never incredibly impressed with him last year

ATT: 65 YDS 248 AVG 3.8 TD 1

And for the record I liked quizz a little more........

[Knight of God]

Everyone wants to write-in Davonta Freeman as the answer at Running Back.

I was never incredibly impressed with him last year

ATT: 65 YDS 248 AVG 3.8 TD 1

And for the record I liked quizz a little more........

Well, we have no choice but to watch and wait.

[4.5 underdogs]

Everyone wants to write-in Davonta Freeman as the answer at Running Back.

I was never incredibly impressed with him last year

ATT: 65 YDS 248 AVG 3.8 TD 1

And for the record I liked quizz a little more........

Funny, you spell his name incorrectly, then you do not add the stat line that is the topic of this thread.

[wleggett]

I have been telling everyone since day one his hands are amazing. If used correctly and I am seeing that Shanahan is planning on it, he can be an amazing receiving threat. So happy to hear that they're recognizing it. This staff impresses me more and more everyday. It is extremely refreshing.

#RAWR

His pass blocking isn't as bad as people let on. It was one of the things that kept him on the field at FSU. I posted a link somewhere and it showed him blocking even telling one guy that was blitzing to come on.