The Atlanta Falcons were disappointed that rookie running back Tevin Coleman would miss this week against the Dallas Cowboys, but they came away with a very intriguing question. That question is about who they will start at running back when Coleman is back on the field and able to play again.
Devonta Freeman ended up starting in his place and came through with an absolutely monstrous performance. He carried the football 30 times for 141 yards and three touchdowns, while also catching five passes for 54 yards. Those numbers are going to make the starting running back decision a very difficult one for head coach Dan Quinn.
At just 23 years old, the future hasn’t been brighter for Freeman. He missed a good chunk of training camp and preseason action with nagging injuries, but this performance very well may have earned him the starting job. Freeman is without question the type of running back that can be an every down workhorse, as he showed perfectly this week against the Dallas defense.
Quinn is a big fan of physical players that leave everything on the field and Freeman is that type of player.
Coleman is going to receive some carries whenever he comes back from his rib injury, but he simply may not be the starter. He carried the football 29 times for 112 yards and a touchdown through the first two games of the season that he played. Those numbers aren’t shabby at all, but they were outdone in one game by Freeman as the starter.
Freeman is without question the right guy for the starting job in Atlanta. He picked up tough yardage while also showing off the big play potential that has made him so dangerous throughout his football career. The Falcons would be making a big mistake not to continue putting him on the field and allowing him to build off of the huge game that he had this week.
Granted, the Dallas defense is one of the worst in the NFL at stopping the run. That has to be taken into consideration, but there is a very good chance that Freeman would have had that type of a game against most NFL teams.
Expect to see the Falcons take their time making this decision over the next week. Atlanta will get prepared to face off against the Houston Texans and there is always the chance that Coleman won’t even be able to play due to the rib. No matter what ends up happening, Freeman has to be very happy with his performance and he definitely gave the Falcons something to think about.
