Eric Weems

Eric Grimes Weems (born July 4, 1985) is a former American football wide receiver, special teamer, and return specialist. He played college football at Bethune-Cookman and was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He has also played for the Chicago Bears and Tennessee Titans.

Eric Weems
Weems with the Falcons in 2016
No. 14
Position:Wide Receiver
Return Specialist
Personal information
Born: (1985-07-04) July 4, 1985
Daytona Beach, Florida
Height:5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight:195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school:Seabreeze
(Daytona Beach, Florida)
College:Bethune-Cookman
Undrafted:2007
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:39
Receiving yards:358
Rushing yards:57
Return yards:5,354
Total touchdowns:6
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Early years

Weems attended Seabreeze High School in Daytona Beach, Florida and was a letterman in football and basketball.[1] In football, as a senior, he was named the team M.V.P. and was an All-Area selection and an All-State selection. In basketball, he was an All-Area selection.

College career

While attending Bethune-Cookman University in his hometown of Daytona Beach, Florida, Weems was a stand-out wide receiver/A-back for the Bethune–Cookman Wildcats football team. He played under head coach Alvin Wyatt from 2003 to 2007. Weems left with his name in the records for numerous receiving categories throughout his four-year career at Bethune-Cookman. In his senior year, he added special teams to his portfolio, serving as the kickoff and punt return specialist for the Wildcats.[2]

Professional career

2007 season

Weems saw action in the NFL for the first time in the season finale against the Seattle Seahawks.[3] He did not post any statistics.

2008 season

Weems's first career reception came with a 4-yard catch in the first quarter of the Falcons' week 12 match-up against the Carolina Panthers. Later in the same game, Weems provided a key block for a 7-yard Harry Douglas touchdown run.[4] His first career fumble recovery came on a Minnesota Vikings muffed punt in week 16 of the 2008 season.[5]

2009 season
Eric Weems with Sam Baker, Michael Jenkins and Marty Booker.
Eric Weems playing against the Miami Dolphins in 2009.

Weems won a job with the Atlanta Falcons as a punt returner in 2009 when wide receiver Harry Douglas was placed on the injured reserved list with a season ending knee injury. Weems ended up returning both punts and kicks as the season progressed. Weems scored his first career touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 7 of the 2009 season, he caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matt Ryan.[6] Weems scored his second career touchdown against the New York Giants in Week 11 of the 2009 season, he had a 4-yard touchdown reception.[7]

On the night of November 16, 2009, Weems was arrested in DeKalb County, Georgia for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. Shortly afterward, Weems released a statement saying “Unfortunately, I was involved in an incident on November 17, 2009. I am embarrassed about the situation and I sincerely apologize to the entire Atlanta Falcons organization and our great fans.” No specific action was taken by the Atlanta Falcons or the NFL.

Weems finished the 2009 season with 6 catches for 50 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also rushed 8 times for 53 yards. Weems returned 48 kicks for 1214 yards and 27 punts for 270 yards, fumbled 3 times losing 2 of them, and recorded 10 tackles.[8]

2010 season

Weems had a career-high of four catches against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first week of the 2010 season.[9] He had his first career start as a wide receiver against the Arizona Cardinals in week 2.[10] Weems returned his first career kickoff return for a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on week 13 of the season. The 102 yards was a franchise record for the Atlanta Falcons.[11] He also returned his first career punt return for a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers on week 17 of the season.[12] The 55 yards was a career-high. Weems was selected to the 2011 Pro Bowl as a special teams member. Weems Finished the 2010 season with 6 catches for 61 yards. He returned 40 kickoffs for a 1,100 yards with one touchdown. Weems returned 18 punts for 230 yards with one touchdown. Weems also recorded 16 tackles on special teams. He was the only player in the NFC to return a kick and a punt for a touchdown.[13]

Weems had a notable contribution for the Atlanta Falcons in the 2010-2011 NFC divisional championship game against the Green Bay Packers. Early in the second quarter, Weems fielded a kickoff two yards deep in his team's own end zone and ran virtually untouched for 102-yard kickoff return touchdown.[14] The 102-yard return was the longest play in NFL postseason history.

2011 season

The Atlanta Falcons re-signed Weems to a one-year contract on July 31, 2011.[15] He appeared in all 16 games with the Atlanta Falcons, He made 2 starts at the wide receiver position. Weems caught a career-high 11 catches for a career-high 90 yards. Weems returned 24 kicks for 563 yards. He also returned 32 punts for 315 Yards. Weems also recorded 12 tackles on special teams. He did not score any touchdowns.[16]

Weems was selected as a first-team alternate for the 2012 Pro bowl as a special teams player.

Weems returned four kickoffs for an average of 20 yards per kickoff and a long of 27 yards in the NFC Wild Card Round game between the Atlanta Falcons and New York Giants. He did not record any receptions in the 24–2 loss.[17]

Chicago Bears
Weems at Bears training camp in 2014

On March 14, 2012, Weems signed a three-year contract with the Chicago Bears as an unrestricted free agent.[18] Weems played in all 16 games with one start at the wide receiver position. Weems caught 2 balls for only 27 yards. He returned 13 kickoffs for 231 yards and 1 punt for no yards. Weems fumbled once and recovered 2 fumbles during the season. He also made 8 tackles.[19] The Bears finished the season with a record of 10-6 and did not make the playoffs.[20]

Weems appeared in all 16 games with the Bears in 2013. He recorded only one reception for eight yards. Weems returned five kickoffs for 57 yards. Weems recorded nine tackles in the season and forced one fumble.[21]

After the Bears signed Santonio Holmes, Weems was released by the team on August 16, 2014.[22]

Atlanta Falcons (second stint)

On August 21, 2014, Weems signed with the Atlanta Falcons.[23] Weems appeared in all 16 regular season games with the Atlanta Falcons in 2014. On October 5, Weems forced a fumble and recovered a fumble on separate occasions against the New York Giants.[24][25] He caught his first touchdown of the season against the Green Bay Packers on December 8.[26] He then caught his second touchdown two weeks later on December 21, against the New Orleans Saints.[27] Weems caught 10 passes for a career-high 102 yards and two touchdowns. On special teams, he recorded thirteen tackles, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, and returned two kicks for 34 yards.[28]

Weems signed a two-year extension with the Falcons on March 6, 2015.[29][30] Weems saw action in all 16 games. He had one reception for 11 yards. Weems returned 15 kicks for 403 yards. He also returned 19 punts for 221 yards.[31]

In the 2016 season, Weems would be part of a record-breaking Falcons team. On September 18, 2016, he returned a punt for a career-long 73 yards against the Oakland Raiders.[32] Weems and the Falcons reached Super Bowl LI, where they faced the New England Patriots. In the Super Bowl, Weems had two kick returns for 25 total yards and one punt return for no yards. the Falcons fell in a 34–28 overtime defeat.[33]

Tennessee Titans
Weems with the Titans in 2017

On March 10, 2017, Weems signed with the Tennessee Titans.[34] He was released on September 2, 2017, but was re-signed the next day.[35][36]

On March 9, 2018, Weems was released by the Titans.[37]

Career statistics

Receiving statistics

YearTeamGPRecTgtYdsAvgLngTDFDFumLost
2008ATL 61144.040000
2009ATL 1666508.3302300
2010ATL 16666110.2180300
2011ATL 161114908.2180500
2012CHI 16242713.5180200
2013CHI 161288.080100
2014ATL 16101110210.2402500
2015ATL 16111111.0110100
2017TEN 161255.050000
Total13439473589.24042000

[38]

Returning statistics

YearTeamGPPunt ReturnKick Return
AttYdsTDFCLngAttYdsTDFCLng
2008ATL 6000001190019
2009ATL 162727001428481,2140062
2010ATL 161823011955401,10010102
2011ATL 163231501942245630037
2012CHI 1610010132310027
2013CHI 16000105570019
2014ATL 16000002340017
2015ATL 161922101641154030050
2016ATL 162427302173173910042
2017TEN 1621500132180018
Total1501231,324191731674,03010102

[38]

References
  1. Caldwell, Tanya. "Remorse earns break for player". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  2. "Eric Weems NCAA FB Stats - Season & Career Statistics". Fox Sports. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  3. "Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons - December 30th, 2007". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  4. "Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons - November 23rd, 2008". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  5. "Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings - December 21st, 2008". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  6. "Atlanta Falcons at Dallas Cowboys - October 25th, 2009". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  7. "Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants - November 22nd, 2009". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  8. "Eric Weems 2009 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  9. "Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers - September 12th, 2010". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  10. "Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons - September 19th, 2010". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  11. "Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - December 5th, 2010". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  12. "Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons - January 2nd, 2011". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  13. "Eric Weems 2010 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  14. "Divisional Round - Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons - January 15th, 2011". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  15. Choate, Dave (July 31, 2011). "Eric Weems Returns To The Falcons Special Teams". TheFalcoholic.com. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  16. "Eric Weems 2011 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  17. "Wild Card - Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants - January 8th, 2012". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  18. Dickerson, Jeff (March 14, 2012). "Bears agree to deal with Eric Weems". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  19. "Eric Weems 2012 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  20. "2012 Chicago Bears Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  21. "Eric Weems 2013 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  22. Patra, Kevin (August 16, 2014). "Santonio Holmes, Chicago Bears reach contract". NFL.com. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  23. Adams, Jay. "Falcons Bring Back WR, Specialist Weems". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  24. "WR Preston Parker fumbles kickoff return". New York Giants. October 5, 2014. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  25. "Quintin Demps fumbles on interception return". New York Giants. October 5, 2014. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  26. Jackson, Kendall (December 9, 2014). "Falcons come up short, lose 43-37 to Packers". The Falcoholic. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  27. Freeman, Aaron (December 22, 2014). "Defense Leads Falcons to Sweep Saints in 30-14 Win". FalcFans.com. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  28. "Eric Weems Titans Bio" (PDF). Tennessee Titans.
  29. Adams, Jay (March 7, 2015). "Falcons Sign Weems to Contract Extension". AtlantaFalcons.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  30. McClure, Vaughn (March 6, 2015). "Eric Weems agrees to return to Falcons". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  31. "Eric Weems 2015 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  32. Durkin, Jimmy (September 19, 2016). "Grading the Raiders' 35-28 loss to the Atlanta Falcons". The Mercury News. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  33. "Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons - February 5th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  34. Gantt, Darin (March 10, 2017). "Falcons wideout Eric Weems heading to Tennessee". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com.
  35. Wyatt, Jim (September 2, 2017). "Titans Down to 53 Players: A Position-by-Position Look". TitansOnline.com. Archived from the original on February 6, 2018.
  36. Wyatt, Jim (September 3, 2017). "Titans Add Eric Weems, Place Harry Douglas on IR". TitansOnline.com.
  37. Wyatt, Jim (March 9, 2018). "Titans Plan to Release Cassel, Searcy, Weems". TitansOnline.com.
  38. "Eric Weems Stats". ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
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