Eric Weems named NFC special teams player of the month

[The Falcon Jedi]

Eric Weems named NFC special teams player of the month

5:02 pm January 6, 2011, by D. Orlando Ledbetter


FLOWERY BRANCH — Pro Bowl specialist Eric Weems, who averaged 30.9 yards on his kickoff returns in December, was named the NFC special teams player of the month.

He also returned a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns. In addition to being the team’s returner, Weems is the top special teams tackler on the coverage units with 16 tackles.

Weems posted a franchise record 102-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to spur the Falcons to a 28-24 victory over Tampa Bay on Dec. 5.

Weems had a 55-yard punt return for a touchdown in the season finale against the Carolina Panthers.

Weems is the only player in the NFC to record a punt return and a kickoff return touchdown this season and he is the first player in team history to accomplish that feat.

In December, Weems led the coverage units with five tackles to help the Falcons hold opponents to a league-best average starting position of the 24.3-yard line.

Overall, Weems averaged 27.5 yards per kickoff return, which ranked third in the NFL.

Weems is the third Falcon to earn NFC Player of the Month honors this season. He joins wide receiver Roddy White and quarterback Matt Ryan, who earned NFC player of the month honors for October and November, respectively.

–D. Orlando Ledbetter

[Paulitik]

Dude earned it. Weems is he man. He's been the most pleasant surprise of the season.

[Sporkdevil]

Wooo! Way to go Weems, he's been killing special teams.

[Arkansas Falcon]

WTG Eric!!

[monoxide]

I always believed in ya Eric! Didn't know he was the only player to get both a PR and KR touchdown, that's awesome.