The Atlanta Falcons have signed special teams player Eric Weems to a two year NFL deal.
The Falcons signed wide receiver and special teams player Eric Weems to a new two year deal on Friday. According to a story by SI.com, the Falcons had previously signed Weems last August for a second tenure with the team. Weems was an undrafted free agent for Atlanta in 2007 and played there until 2011, when he then went to the Bears.
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Weems has been a standout player on special teams for the Falcons. He led the team with 13 tackles on special teams last season and he also recovered two fumbles. He had 10 catches as a receiver for 102 yards and two receiving touchdowns.
Weems went to the Pro Bowl and was named first team All-Pro in 2010 while with the Falcons. He is currently 29, but the Falcons obviously like his special teams play and he also offers depth at receiver. He was definitely productive in his limited time on the field there.
Listed at 5’9, 195 pounds, Weems came out of Bethune-Cookman after the 2007 draft. He played from 2007 to 2011 for the Falcons, before playing for the Bears for two seasons. He then returned to the Falcons in August of last year. Weems has played a total of 101 games in his NFL career. He started seven of those games and made 37 receptions for 342 yards and four touchdowns.
Special teams play is the key though. There he has 131 kickoff returns for 3,184 yards, good enough for a 24.3 yard average plus one touchdown. He also has 78 punt returns for 815 yards and one touchdown. In 2010, Weems set the Falcons franchise record for a kick return with a 102 yard return against Tampa Bay. He set a league record in the 2011 playoffs for longest return in postseason history with a 102 yard return for a score.
Last year, Weems played in 15 games, but his main role was in special teams coverage. He had six tackles in one game against the Panthers in Week 11, a team record. He is one of only 11 players to have six special teams tackles in one game since 1994.
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