Falcon Erik Coleman Takes Benching In Stride

by Dave Choate on Oct 30, 2010 1:01 PM EDT in Falcons News

Just a little glimpse into team chemistry this Saturday.

I had wondered how Erik Coleman was taking the demotion. While tackles aren't the stat to gauge most defenders by, Coleman had shown himself to be a sure tackler and a decent enough player in general. After starting the last two seasons, I wasn't sure he'd be on board with this.

Behold:

"I just wanted to stay focused and do whatever I could to help out my teammates," Coleman said. "I'm on some special teams, so I'm trying to go out there and contribute on special teams."

It's lip service to some degree, but Coleman is a pro. I think he recognizes that William Moore and Thomas DeCoud is the safety tandem to beat in Atlanta, and he's going to get his reps filling in for those guys when they get banged up or just tired out. I'm sure he's not going to willingly stick around to be a backup when other teams probably still consider him a starter, but for 2010 he adds quality depth and he's being a good soldier about it.

That's about all we can ask for.

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Good stuff...

Glad he’s being a professional about it…

by DirtyBirdTakeover on Oct 30, 2010 1:26 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

It's always nice to have some quality depth

His experience allows him to back up both safety positions which is a plus.

Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that. - Bill Shankly

by armchair quarterback on Oct 30, 2010 2:31 PM EDT reply actions

can someone educate me?

what’s the difference between free safety and strong safety?

Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia

by Gemini-RU on Oct 30, 2010 2:42 PM EDT reply actions

The strong safety has a lot of responsibility on the defensive side of the ball. The strong safety is a bit larger and stronger than the free safety. He is tasked to handle the “strong side” of the offense, the side where the tight end lines up. The strong safety plays closer to the line and assist in stopping the run. He may also be responsible for covering a player, such as a running back, who goes in motion in the backfield and then out for a pass.

The free safety tends to be smaller and faster than the strong safety. His job is to be to stay back a bit, watch the play unfold, and follow the ball. On pass plays, the free safety is expected to close down the receiver by the time the ball gets to him. If the offense puts a receiver in the slot, then the free safety may be called upon to cover that receiver. Free safeties occasionally will blitz too.

Chip Caray: SWING AND A DRIVE, BELTED RIGHT…..and McCann makes the catch by the dugout.

by Hudson's Soul Patch on Oct 30, 2010 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions

great answer

by JT131 on Oct 30, 2010 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions

wow

that’s as complete as it get be, thanks! :)

Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia

by Gemini-RU on Oct 31, 2010 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions

I also have a question

When we play the ravens on thursday night in a couple of weeks will the game just be on NFLchannel or will it also be broadcast on a poor persons channel.

by JT131 on Oct 30, 2010 4:44 PM EDT reply actions

Thursday nighters are NFL exclusive.

Also, i got moved to midnight shift at my job which sucks but trying to stay on the glass half full side of things at least I can watch football now

by FLA_Falcon on Oct 30, 2010 4:50 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Again

In the Atlanta Market you may be able to watch in on WXIA TV 11Alive.

When you see a person smile, it really doesn't mean anything, unless they are smiling from within...which can be difficult to detect.

by brotherbrown on Oct 30, 2010 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Some guys are starters and some guys are professional “6th” man. Either way, he’s got my support.

by Caviarhound on Oct 30, 2010 6:25 PM EDT reply actions

Solid if unspectacular player

Coleman is the definition of quality depth.

by aces666high on Oct 30, 2010 11:36 PM EDT reply actions

i like having coleman as a backup because

As much as a Moore fan as I am, I still dont think i trust him 2 stay healthy for a whole season. So if he must go next year what do you think we could get for him?

by DEMBIRDZCUZ! on Oct 30, 2010 11:46 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

A compensatory draft pick

Dimitroff will take over from there or probably make a free agent signing in which he’s 3/3 in results so far!

When you see a person smile, it really doesn't mean anything, unless they are smiling from within...which can be difficult to detect.

by brotherbrown on Oct 31, 2010 1:04 AM EDT up reply actions

I imagine he'd get someone like Brian Williams (if not Mr. Williams himself)

I know a lot of people were knocking the Falcons for keeping the relatively old William on the roster. But the man has a potent mixture of experience and versatility allowing him to be serviceable at CB, SS, and FS.

If we loose Coleman to free agency, I’d wager Dimitroff will look for a affordable veteran to take his place.

by Leon07 on Oct 31, 2010 1:46 AM EDT up reply actions

sounds about right

When you see a person smile, it really doesn't mean anything, unless they are smiling from within...which can be difficult to detect.

by brotherbrown on Oct 31, 2010 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions

without a doubt...

if your starters are young, then you get vet backups, if your starters are veterans, then you draft youth to backup. With DR, Grimey, Decool, and willie Mo, our secondary is young and will still need a veteran backup presence on our team to add to the mix of youth we possess. If Coleman leaves(most likely, unless he wants to stay on the SB champs team), I’m sure Comrade will get us a good veteran DB or Safety to fill in when needed, and I can almost guarantee that if those 4 guys mentioned above have an entire season as good as the first 4 games then there aint no way we draft ANY secondary players next year!!

Georgia Native, Indiana Resident, and Falcon Loving S.O.B.
Yeah, thats me.

by ATLsince1972 on Oct 31, 2010 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions

I am exited that a player who, in our fearful leader's assessment, has "shown himself to be a sure tackler and a decent enough player in general" as a backup.

Coleman is a darned fine safety, and a starter on 75% of the NFL teams. but he’s obvously #3 in that matrix. There are a boatload of snaps for #3 and half a boatload for #4, so there are plenty of opportunities for him to take bace a fulltime role.

Again, I’m excited to have this embarasment of riches after last year’s mediocrity in this area!
-AOb

How many more days, Lord, must I walk through the wilderness?
GO FALCONS!!

by AnOldBird on Nov 1, 2010 12:09 AM EDT reply actions