Falcons' Freeman wants to be a 'more disrespectful' runner

Devonta Freeman has a well-established ability to make defenders miss. Now he's looking to run through them, too.

After breaking out with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, primarily based on an elusive style of play, the Atlanta Falcons running back is setting out to be more physical.

"I want to be more disrespectful this year when I run the football," Freeman told reporters Tuesday, according to Andrew Siciliano of NFL Network.

Checking in at 5-foot-8 and 206 pounds, Freeman isn't exactly the biggest back. But playing through contact is as much about having the necessary mindset and balance as it is about size.

Developing another way to beat defenders and set a tone, even if only as an occasional complement to his impressive quickness, could take Freeman to the next level among the NFL's top ball-carriers.

Freeman averaged an impressive 4.8 yards per carry en route to a 1,079-yard, 11-touchdown showing in 2016. His presence, working in tandem with another promising young back in Tevin Coleman, should once again put Atlanta in a position to dominate in the ground game.