Atlanta Falcons: Derrick Coleman Offers Super Bowl Lessons
By Nafisa H
The Atlanta Falcons have a long road ahead to recover form their Super Bowl 51 collapse, but they hope that Derrick Coleman will help the cause.
When an NFL offense is at work on the field, it’s crucial that nothing interferes with its concentration—whether that’s headset static or other noise. The Atlanta Falcons know all too well the trouble that noise brings. They were fined $350,000 and forced to forfeit their fifth-round selection in the 2016 NFL Draft as punishment for pumping fake crowd noise.
Loud noise isn’t an issue for former Seattle Seahawks fullback and special teams player, Derrick Coleman, though; he’s deaf. And while some view deafness as a challenge and disability, Coleman embraces it and chooses to focus on his ability to see rather than his inability to hear, refusing to let it limit him in football or life. As Coleman recently signed with the Falcons, he undeniably has a unique perception—one that can be a big advantage both in life and the NFL.
By relying on hand signals, lip reading, vibrations and two powerful hearing aids, Coleman, who lost his hearing at three years old due to a genetic reason, is able to give his undivided attention to the game and concentrate on making plays for his team. This has certainly factored into his success.
After being picked up as an undrafted free agent by the Minnesota Vikings in 2012 and not seeing action, he played 31 games between 2013-15 with the Seattle Seahawks and rushed for 35 yards while also catching 11 passes for 91 yards and two touchdowns.
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Those numbers don’t jump out and scream success. But recording stats, let alone making it to the NFL, is a daunting task. Plus, Coleman was able to win a Super Bowl with the Seahawks—becoming the first deaf NFL player to do so. His championship with Seattle may be irrelevant to the Falcons, but his experience with head coach Dan Quinn (Seattle’s defensive coordinator from 2013-14) isn’t. Quinn’s familiarity with Coleman’s experience and skill set is certainly an advantage.
The Falcons and Coleman will need to step up and utilize as many advantages as possible this season. As well as its offense performed last season, the team struggled to find a balance between its passing and rushing offense. Defenses stifled the Falcons run game by forcing running backs Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman to settle for minimal gains, if any at all. In the regular season, the team was tied for fifth in the NFL with 62 negative rushing plays.
Coleman joins the Falcons in their mission of recovering from their Super Bowl LI loss. The fullback didn’t play last season following his release from Seattle after pleading guilty to criminal chargers (vehicular assault, among other related charges that he plead guilty to). With a void left by Patrick DiMarco leaving for the Buffalo Bills, the Falcons are hoping they can add depth to the position and find a quality starter at fullback.
The team doesn’t have a lot of options since they’re working with limited cap space, but see potential in Coleman and Soma Vainuku. And while Coleman’s blocking skills are better, Vainuku’s physicality makes him a serious threat.
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Looking back and dwelling on their Super Bowl collapse won’t help the Atlanta Falcons. The team must move onward and upward and remain focused despite any distractions if they want to win their first Super Bowl. Though he has no choice, they can take a lesson from a Super Bowl champion in Coleman. He can help his new team tune out all distractions and pilot a great comeback journey to their destination.