Eric Weems And The Slot Receiver
by Dave Choate on Jan 30, 2012 8:00 AM EST
in Falcons Talk
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PrintIt's just a throwaway line in D. Orlando Ledbetter's great article about Falcons' free agents, but it caught my attention.
DOL calls Eric Weems a valuable special teamer--which is still true, even after a dismal 2011 campaign--but he also writes that Weems could step up as the team's third receiver. That seems incredibly far-fetched.
Weems is a slippery player with good agility, but he's not an especially polished wide receiver. In five seasons with the Falcons, he's caught 24 passes for just 205 yards and two touchdowns. He's managed to get on the field on occasion as a weapon out of the slot and even outside, but sparingly. The team has never viewed him as anything more than a fifth receiver and special teamer, and this was not a wonderful year for Weems as a returner.
Will the Falcons keep Weems around? It's far from impossible. They like his versatility, and if they allow Harry Douglas to walk, there probably will be more snaps for him in 2012. But I can't see the team turning the slot over to a guy who has never been able to get consistent snaps at receiver through a five year career, not with an emphasis on explosiveness and offensive improvement.
What will happen at the slot? My best guess, at this point, is that the Falcons look into bringing Douglas back on a short-term, relatively cheap contract. If he balks--and I imagine that's a possibility--they'll start poking around outside the team.
What say you?
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I ask a question for your question.
Are Weems’ low numbers a function of the receiver’s lack of ability or the P.O.S. offensive coordinator we had and his refusal to coach up and use the weapons at Ryan’s disposal? Kerry Meier was raved about in the preseason, but rarely used in Mularkey’s offense. I agree Weems’ performance on returns was lackluster, but how much of that was a measure of the new kickoff rules? Just axin the question.
by bdub712 on Jan 30, 2012 8:19 AM EST reply actions 3 recs
I can agree with most of this...
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders
"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster
bye Weems!
His low return performance was his unwillingness to return punts. Too many damn fair catches or letting ball bounce in front of him and getting out of way.
Also, he is NOT the answer at slot WR. Hell NO!!
by atlien698 on Jan 30, 2012 8:32 AM EST via iPhone app reply actions
I think your being a little harsh...but that's your right.
He was never given much of a chance in the offense by MM. I think you are going to see him do well on another team and it will be yet “another” good player that didn’t get used right and got away from the Falcons.
Then again…he could just suck!! Only time will tell but I say give the kid a chance.
Can’t really argue against the Special Teams play, he did take a step backwards this past season. Could have just been an “off” year but it might not have been.
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders
"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster
Another?
I don’t recall too many players going elsewhere and flourishing on O besides L. Robinson.
"NLDS or bust" - Bobby Cox
We don't have to continue to settle Atlanta. We're better than that.
by DopeFalcons on Jan 30, 2012 11:00 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Chris Houston (no realation)...
has done ok in Detroit and J. Anderson (the LB, not the RB of old) just had a good year, his first away from the Falcons since we drafted him. There are others I am sure but those are the two that jump from the top of my memory.
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders
"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster
by Blood_Talon on Jan 30, 2012 11:21 AM EST up reply actions
Decent players
But nothing to lose sleep over.
"NLDS or bust" - Bobby Cox
We don't have to continue to settle Atlanta. We're better than that.
by DopeFalcons on Jan 30, 2012 12:26 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Maybe...
but they certainly performed better for their new teams than they did for us and I tend to blame coaching for that…but that’s just me.
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders
"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster
You're looking at it wrong
There have been just as many players who made their name here and then go on and do nothing somewhere else. Dominique Foxworth and Keith Brooking come to mind.
No, I am looking at it exactly as it is...
in regards to the point I am making. I know there have been players that performed well, left and did nothing after that. But, it is good you bring up the flip side of the coin.
I just don’t think Weems even got the opportunity to prove if he could be an asset at WR due to MM’s reluctance to acknowledge anyone other than the “listed” 1 and 2 WR on the depth chart and TG at TE!!
Or, I am just giving Weems more credit than he deservers…both are very plausible possibilities.
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders
"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster
and Michael Boley of the Giants
JA98 was a DE
by brotherbrown on Jan 30, 2012 11:00 PM EST up reply actions
That he was...
I stand corrected…
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders
"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster
by Blood_Talon on Jan 31, 2012 12:33 AM EST up reply actions
Draft
Keshawn Martin out of MSU. Explosive with the ball, will probably be there in Round 6 or 7. I don’t really want to see Weems as our slot receiver, and he can be easily replaced as far as the return game goes if we’re looking at his 2011 campaign.
While Weems had a mediocre season, I still think he has potential with special teams. Personally, I think he made consistent bad judgement calls – especially on kickoff returns. He just didn’t have the finesse that occasionally came out in the 2010 season. If we can keep him on a cheap deal, it would be nice to hold on to him for special teams only.
HD is one of my favorite Falcons to watch. Everyone knows how explosive he was in the preseason. I think he’s one of those athletes that could make the Front Office turn red in the face when he walks to show his success with another team. We have to lock up HD!
it's interesting to note
All the house cleaning the Falcons done, the Special Teams coach Keith Armstrong is still there.
Anyone has a beef with how he’s coaching or think he’s fine?
by brotherbrown on Jan 30, 2012 11:11 PM EST up reply actions
I don't much care for him
Our ST’s are usually one tackler(Bosher) away from giving up some big yardage. I like that Bosher wants to be involved but if your punter is involved to the extent ours is, there’s something a bit off.
Weems made $1.2 million in 2011
Weems WR and kick returning can be replaced for the league minimum of around $400K.He is however,a premier kick covergage teamer.As it stands now,the Falcons are using too many defensive starters on kick coverage.And Weems will be in high demand in the market.
We’ll offer him around $750K for one year,take it or leave it.He’ll leave it and sign elsewhere for more,but less than he made in 2011.It’s a 2 edged sword,but I’m ok with it on balance.
Weems? lol
Lets be honest, five years ago if he were on any other NFL we wouldn’t know who the hell he was. Just another one of those temporary Falcons’ over achievers. Bye Bye Weems, please God!
Weems might play a big part in screen pass.
Weems is valuable in special teams coverage unit. I guess similar to HD he was barely used by MM. Usually good kick returners are good screen pass players, if he is cheap sign him up for one more year. It depends on how DK evaluates Weems might determine to keep him or let him go.
It's all about Process...
This is another example of how difficult it is for a Falcon fan to evaluate the talent on our roster
Sure, you have players who have shown standout ability. For the rest of the roster, how are we supposed to really know who is a waste of a roster space and who has the ability, but has been under or wrongly utilized by their respective coordinator?
I did not care for Weems the returner in ’11, and I have never seen anything out of him that leads me to believe that he has a future at WR.
But
Like you said (and I said above), how could the avg fan know for certain? I agree there were some really questionable “poison” calls which put us starting drives deep in our own territory. But, that’s football….bad bounces happen. In terms of ST, he can be easily replaced. But as far as whether or not he could be a potential offensive weapon, we, the fans, have not seen him utilized enough to vote up or down. I submit MM’s scheme sucked. He never made it past 2 on the depth chart. It was rare to see 14, 80, 83 or any other number get called. I say he needs a year of full participation in the offense to really know what his potential may be for the team.
by bdub712 on Jan 30, 2012 1:08 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Weems is scrappy and a great ST player
But he ain’t worth 1.2 million. Keep HD(if he wants to stay) i think Dirk will implement him in the offense more.
by pierre02 on Jan 30, 2012 11:53 AM EST via mobile reply actions 1 recs
Weems is a solid ST tackler and a great human shield for MT
But his usefulness as a return man on kickoffs was nullified by the new rule and his punt return decisions were questionable at best.
Antone Smith was as good on ST's as Weems
The new return rules, coupled with bad decisions, hurt Weems for the entire season. Franks, Walls and possibly Smith could be the returner for less money. As a slot WR I’d rather pay more for HD and let Weems walk.
Man, Smith missed a couple of BIG, costly tackles though...he needs to improve in that area!!
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders
"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster
Nice that you remind...
me of that, because he did have some nice stops as well! But, what usually sticks in peoples’ minds the most…the chit you did right or the chit you did wrong?!?
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders
"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster
isn't Weems pretty good at tackling on Kickoffs and Punts?
He still might be valuable on Special teams, but not as a returner, instead as a gunner or decoy.
Any thoughts?
by brotherbrown on Jan 30, 2012 11:15 PM EST up reply actions
I'm calling no way on this one
You think of a great slot receiver, those are either guys with great hands (Wes Welker) or guys with phenomenal speed (Mike Wallace, Victor Cruz)
Weems has neither. He’s still a great STer (Smitty called him a team MVP, people) but not a receiver candidate.
"My parents do a lot of things behind the scenes that go unnoticed"- Cam Newton, Heisman acceptance speech.
http://twitter.com/#!/AShirkey
by TurnerTheBurner on Jan 30, 2012 6:54 PM EST reply actions
Valuable Special Teams Player?
First of all, he is not that good of a return man. I honestly don’t know why he was ever given the job. Do we not have anyone else to do this that has some kind of speed? TD and company say they want to re-evaluate every position, right? Well, return man would be a great position to start with. I’m sure we have someone that is better on our roster than he is and would get us better field position. I think it’s a waste of a roster spot for keeping someone who just plays punt and kick coverage. Get rid of Weems!! We can find a better player with that roster spot.
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