It's fair to say that the Atlanta Falcons struggled with running the football in 2014. The Falcons finished last season ranked just 24th in yards-per-game on the ground (93.6), 20th in yards-per-carry average (4.0) and 17th in rushing touchdowns (11). However, new offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan hopes to change that this year. How, exactly, he intends to do that remains unknown.
Gone is Steven Jackson who couldn't stay healthy or effective in Atlanta. In his place stands second-year rusher Devonta Freeman, third-round rookie Tevin Coleman and undrafted rookie free agent Terron Ward. But who will be the go-to guy?
"Antone Smith's departure opened up a spot for Oregon State's Terron Ward, who could have value in the running and passing game," Andrew Hirsh wrote on the team's official website. "The 5-foot-7 RB excelled during training camp and broke off a few nice runs during preseason-including a 12-yard dash on Thursday. Devonta Freeman is still nursing a hamstring injury, so the undrafted rookie might be called upon to spell Tevin Coleman in the coming weeks."
According to Hirsh's report, it sounds as if Coleman is atop the depth chart at the moment. New head coach Dan Quinn is the guy who drafted him after all and he has no loyalty to Freeman who was a pick of the previous regime. Fantasy football owners have been racking their brains trying to figure out Atlanta's running back situation and this report may help clear a few things up.
A full and health season from second-year left tackle Jake Matthews should help provide a boost in the run game in 2015. The same goes for the newly acquired Andy Levitre, who is expected to start at left guard.
The Falcons aren't going to all of a sudden start playing the Dallas Cowboys or Seattle Seahawks. But their running game should at least be improved from last season with Coleman presumably leading the way.
