Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter has become a big fan of backup wide receiver Eric Weems.
Koetter was not with the Falcons during Weems’ original stint with the team from 2007 to 2011. He signed as a free agent with Chicago and played two seasons with the Bears. After being released by the Bears on Aug. 8, the Falcons re-signed Weems on Aug. 21.
“Eric Weems has been a really good addition,” Koetter said. “He comes in and with our receivers being banged up during the week, he takes a lot of reps. He knows every position. Wherever (wide receivers coach) Terry (Robiskie) needs to plug him in, we are confident that he’s going to go in and know what to do.”
Weems, who went to the Pro Bowl as a special teams player after the 2010 season, leads the team in special teams’ tackles with 13.
“He’s tough as nails,” Koetter said. “Excellent competitor.”
Weems has 10 catches for 102 yards and two touchdowns. He caught a shovel pass and scored a 3-yard touchdown to give the Falcons a lead against the Saints they would never relinquish.
“He’s a way better receiver than I knew,” Koetter said. “I hadn’t been around him before like some of these guys have. We’ve got certain things that we’ve got designed for him. It was great to see him get the touchdown the other day.”
Weems believes the Falcons caught the Saints off guard.
“I don’t think that anyone was expecting me to get the shovel pass,” Weems said. “It was wide open and Matt (Ryan) found me.”
Weems was elated to contribute from scrimmage.
“Some guys have roles and I think that’s one of my roles on the team is to get the guys going,” Weems said.
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