Post by Guvmintcheeze on Jul 30, 2015 18:53:33 GMT
Falcons running back Devonta Freeman ready for training camp battle
The Atlanta Falcons hold their first training camp practice Friday morning, and plenty of eyes will be on the starting running back battle between Devonta Freeman and rookie Tevin Coleman.
Freeman holds the top spot right now coming off a strong offseason. Plus Freeman's ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and run routes like a receiver give him an added advantage.
"Yes, it should give me an edge," Freeman told ESPN.com. "I know what I can do. It's all about getting everybody to believe in me. I just can't wait to show the world what I can do and what I'm capable of.
"I go out there every day and prepare super-hard, like it's a game. The coaches will tell you. The players will tell you. Every day, I'm going to be like that. I don't care what no man says. Nobody has to tell me that I need to do this or I need to do that. I'm always going to try and do what's unexpected. The coaches know. They've been around some of the best talent in the world. And they know I'm going to go over and beyond to an even higher level."
Freeman respects Coleman's ability, just like he respects the entire NFL.
"Everybody is talented in this league," Freeman said. "Ain't no body in the league sorry, or else you wouldn't be in the league. I mean, you might have some people that get lazy and you might put a label on them and say they're sorry. But, everybody is talented. Everybody has God-given ability.
"Our whole team is good, if you asked me. Just keeping it real. If someone chooses to be lazy, that doesn't necessarily mean they're sorry."
The competition between Freeman and Coleman is certain to intensify once the Falcons put on pads. Wearing shorts in the offseason didn't really give them a chance to work on the running game and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan's outside-zone blocking scheme. The scheme emphasizes a one-cut-and-go mentality for the running backs.
"I've been doing the one-cut game since little league, not to be cocky about it," Freeman said. "That's easy. It's just football. You've got to be precise. You can't overthink. The minute you overthink, you miss the hole. The holes in the NFL close up so quickly. You have to hit it full speed; no looking back. That's how I go."
Freeman is confident the Falcons can be successful this season after last season's 6-10 finish.
"I feel like the way Thomas Dimitroff, Mr. Arthur (Blank), and Mr. Scott (Pioli) put the team together is phenomenal, especially what we're doing on the offensive end," Freeman said.
The Atlanta Falcons hold their first training camp practice Friday morning, and plenty of eyes will be on the starting running back battle between Devonta Freeman and rookie Tevin Coleman.
Freeman holds the top spot right now coming off a strong offseason. Plus Freeman's ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and run routes like a receiver give him an added advantage.
"Yes, it should give me an edge," Freeman told ESPN.com. "I know what I can do. It's all about getting everybody to believe in me. I just can't wait to show the world what I can do and what I'm capable of.
"I go out there every day and prepare super-hard, like it's a game. The coaches will tell you. The players will tell you. Every day, I'm going to be like that. I don't care what no man says. Nobody has to tell me that I need to do this or I need to do that. I'm always going to try and do what's unexpected. The coaches know. They've been around some of the best talent in the world. And they know I'm going to go over and beyond to an even higher level."
Freeman respects Coleman's ability, just like he respects the entire NFL.
"Everybody is talented in this league," Freeman said. "Ain't no body in the league sorry, or else you wouldn't be in the league. I mean, you might have some people that get lazy and you might put a label on them and say they're sorry. But, everybody is talented. Everybody has God-given ability.
"Our whole team is good, if you asked me. Just keeping it real. If someone chooses to be lazy, that doesn't necessarily mean they're sorry."
The competition between Freeman and Coleman is certain to intensify once the Falcons put on pads. Wearing shorts in the offseason didn't really give them a chance to work on the running game and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan's outside-zone blocking scheme. The scheme emphasizes a one-cut-and-go mentality for the running backs.
"I've been doing the one-cut game since little league, not to be cocky about it," Freeman said. "That's easy. It's just football. You've got to be precise. You can't overthink. The minute you overthink, you miss the hole. The holes in the NFL close up so quickly. You have to hit it full speed; no looking back. That's how I go."
Freeman is confident the Falcons can be successful this season after last season's 6-10 finish.
"I feel like the way Thomas Dimitroff, Mr. Arthur (Blank), and Mr. Scott (Pioli) put the team together is phenomenal, especially what we're doing on the offensive end," Freeman said.