Tevin Coleman Missing; Freeman Prime Police Suspect

[PapaJoe]

It seems that many folks around here and in the media have determined that Freeman is now entitled to being the starter for the remainder of the season, to include the stance that he should get the majoriity of the carries over Coleman once he returns.

As much as I like Free, and wanted him to get a lot more carries last season because I thought then he was the best RB on the team, and as much as he has performed well in the past two games, it isn't a certainty that he is better than Coleman, or even as good as Coleman.

The greatest factor in Freeman's performance has been the play of the OL combined with some really really well designed plays that they have executed well. On a lot of his carries Freeman has done all you could ask of a RB, but there have been a few carries where he shows a maddeningly inadequate lack of vision and conceptualization of where the huge running lane has developed to the left or right. I saw some of that last season, as well as in the first two games, and his first series against Dallas left a lot to be desired as well.

This isn't to say that even the best RBs of all time don't sometimes do the same things, but Freeman doesn't seem to have much of a knack for that vision and explosion to daylight that I want in a RB that gets the most carries.

I keep hearing and reading all the hype on Freeman and can't help but think, what might a healthy Coleman have done if he had been getting his share of those carries? Wouldn't we most likely just be singing the praises of BOTH of them, while appreciating their unique skills and contributions to the victories? And also be even more appreciative of the performance of the OL contributions to the stellar work by BOTH of the RBs?

I am very happy for Freeman, and I am a huge fan of him in many ways, and want him to keep competing for carries and contributing to the success of the Falcons. If he proves over the season that he is better than Coleman than he should get the most carries also, but just because he has done well these past two games shouldn't mean that Coleman doesn't get re-integrated to the offense at a level commensurate with his physical condition, performance, and let's all keep in mind this nugget.. Coleman showed well until the injury and the OL was no where close to performing in games one and two like they did in the two games where Freeman was getting almost all the snaps. And remember... Coleman had already earned the starter role, because the coaches thought he had the edge over Freeman.

I want BOTH of them to be great for the Falcons!!

[crimsonhawk]

When Coleman returns, he'll get his....I'm just glad Freeman is here to do what he's done

[papachaz]

actually, coleman was the starter in the first game this season, because Freeman was injured. all summer long all we heard was how great freeman was looking, and was setting himself up to be the 'starter'. He just happened to get injured after Coleman did, and was a few weeks later healing up.

so the 'coleman had already earned the starting spot' isn't exactly accurate.

now having said all that, this two headed RBBC beast we'll have when tevin returns is going to be very very dangerous, so much moreso than just either of them by themselves. I do think that they'll both get tons of carries, it really isn't going to matter which one of them actually is in on the first play of the game

[GeorgiaBoyz]

I like that.

[Guest Gritz]

I had this conversation with a good friend of mine who is a huge Falcons fan today...

Because of the injuries both players had this summer it's not like either Freeman or Coleman was handed the starting job and was deemed 'the starting running back for the Atlanta Falcons."

Logistically I don't see how or why the Falcons would sit Freeman down considering how great he has been playing once Coleman is medically cleared to play.

[Truth Burger]

time for a truth burger before this gets started

we should never be arguing who is better for the job free vs. coleman

let's not get carried away making this a freeman vs. coleman war on the boards

let's appreciate the fact we have two excellent backs who have both proven they can carry the load (tevin did great against philly)

so try not to get caught up in that

imagine how good we are gonna be once tevin gets healthy

Edited October 5, 2015 by Truth Burger

[FentayeJones]

And remember... Coleman had already earned the starter role, because the coaches thought he had the edge ofver Freeman.

The way I remember it... Coleman won the job because he recovered from his hamstring injury before Freeman thus he didn't have a pre-season so the above statement isnt entirely true.

I guess I don't have pet players that I want to see succeed over the other like some fans. I really don't understand why it has to be one or the other. I am happy we have two good running backs and a good run blocking o-line.

This thread seems like a passive aggressive way to knock Freeman because he OP likes Coleman better.

Edited October 5, 2015 by FentayeJones

[dirtybird2k5]

This is a good problem to have.

[FenixFalcon]

Click bait... :P

[Hustle Up]

I can't see how this is not a positive thing. You got two studs back there. You can just pound teams to death then sling it over the top....unstoppable!

[crimsonhawk]

I can't see how this is not a positive thing. You got two studs back there. You can just pound teams to death then sling it over the top....unstoppable!

Oh, and don't look now, but our 3rd string guy didn't look so bad either......

[PapaJoe]

I know both were injured; I based the starter statement on the second game in NY where Coleman was getting the lions' share of the carries even though Freeman was also at full speed.

I only started the thread because I see and hear a lot fof olks losing the perspective that we need BOTH and that BOTH have so far earned the right to run behind a performing OL. So far, the reality is that Freeman has two weeks where he got to and has been doing great at it, and Coleman managed to make do even though the OL wasn't yet getting it done even close to like they did for Freeman.

We shouldn't just put Coleman on the shelf when he is back because Freeman has done well for two weeks and thus make him the 'fans pet' because of it.

[PapaJoe]

Oh, and don't look now, but our 3rd string guy didn't look so bad either......

Yes, very true and i was thrilled to see it. It also goes to show just how good the OL has been these last two games.

[ATLFalcons11]

Freeman was the starter and then Coleman got injured. But a week later Freeman got injured as well. Coleman was able to get healthy and play in preseason games so he became the starter.

Also a lot of times what we deem an open lane is not necessarily so because we can't see the whole field. On one of Freeman's touchdowns up the middle, he had a very small lane where two defenders were waiting for him.

He did an amazing hesitation move to the left that slowed up the defender and allowed his block to just get in the way of one of the defenders and he was off. It was a thing of beauty but it was a lane that looked like it wasn't even close to being open.

I think we should be hesitant in saying he is lacking in the vision department

[Dem Birds]

Dan Quinn raved about Freeman all offseason. It's his job. I promise you.

[rightsaidfred]

Its a great 1-2 punch

Freeman the punishing runner until later in the game when Coleman comes in and turns on the jets

Edited October 6, 2015 by rightsaidfred

[PapaJoe]

Freeman was the starter and then Coleman got injured. But a week later Freeman got injured as well. Coleman was able to get healthy and play in preseason games so he became the starter.

Also a lot of times what we deem an open lane is not necessarily so because we can't see the whole field. On one of Freeman's touchdowns up the middle, he had a very small lane where two defenders were waiting for him.

He did an amazing hesitation move to the left that slowed up the defender and allowed his block to just get in the way of one of the defenders and he was off. It was a thing of beauty but it was a lane that looked like it wasn't even close to being open.

I think we should be hesitant in saying he is lacking in the vision department

He does very well with lanes right in front of him, or what I call a 40 degree cone. I am referring to the ability to feel, and see, the lane away from the planned point of attack which may be 45 degrees or more left or right. No RB is going to see them all, but I wish Freeman did a little better job with it... he missed three of them versus Houston that were pretty obvious if he were in the habit of looking for them a little more... he may get better once he sees they are there on the film. I love his attitude and desire!

[Dem Birds]

He does very well with lanes right in front of him, or what I call a 40 degree cone. I am referring to the ability to feel, and see, the lane away from the planned point of attack which may be 45 degrees or more left or right. No RB is going to see them all, but I wish Freeman did a little better job with it... he missed three of them versus Houston that were pretty obvious if he were in the habit of looking for them a little more... he may get better once he sees they are there on the film. I love his attitude and desire!

Your point of view is a little different than his.

[YoungHeezy]

This whole Freeman vs. Coleman thing has been weird since day 1.

[knomercy]

Yeah, I dunno. Part of me feels like Coleman would have had the same success considering some of the gaping holes that are being opened up -- but then again, Freeman just plays with a tenacity that few on our team possess. He fights hard, every play -- the best evidence was that "screen" dump that Freeman stole out of the defender's hands as Clowney was bearing down on Matt Ryan. I said to my fiancee "Free plays like he believes every football is his and he's gonna score every time he touches it".

Another good example is that pass that was thrown by Ryan as he was fleeing the pocket that looked like it was actually intended for Hankerson. Free just said "MINE" & made the play.

Edited October 6, 2015 by knomercy

[falconsfan4life3]

Looks like Coleman will probably practice Wednesday and might play this weekend. Interested to see how he looks...Redskins do have the #3 rushing defense in the NFL.

[crimsonhawk]

As much as I like Coleman I hope it doesn't mess up what we've got going with Free.

I'd just rotate the **** out of them, then bring in Ward after they have feasted for the first 3 quarters....

[Monolith2001]

As much as I like Coleman I hope it doesn't mess up what we've got going with Free.

I actually hope it does the opposite. As good as it has been, I can see these guys going at it 120% trying to assert who should be getting the most carries. Both these guys bring something different and I cannot wait to see them both rolling. I really think Teco is the kind of back who is very capable of taking the gaps I've seen to the house.. Free is a bowling ball who is just as dangerous in the pass game as he is running. We are looking good.

[Faithful Falcon]

I don't get this thread. When did Coleman start getting Stans? You have completely determined that Coleman is not just better than Freeman, but on an entire different level.

Edited October 6, 2015 by Faithful Falcon

[RunningThePiszOuttaTheBall]

Right now, Free should have claim on the starting role. If Coleman puts up 140+ yards in a game behind this O line, then we can consider it a tough call.

Free's numbers have been completely off the charts. Coleman hasn't (yet) done anything like that.

It's competition, and the results on the field speak for themselves.