Falcons Pro-Bowl returner Eric Weems keeps everything in perspective

TAMPA -- A popular joke inside the Atlanta Falcons' locker room is that Eric Weems is so tight with his money that he still has a couple of Pell Grant checks left over from his college days at Bethune-Cookman.

The Pro Bowl return specialist smiled when he heard that line again inside the visitors' locker room Sunday at Raymond James Stadium. He didn't mind hearing it, because he knows there's a little bit of truth to it.

"That's always been me," Weems said after Tampa Bay beat the Falcons 16-13. "I like to be smart with my money. I'm tight. I'm a cautious investor. I'm not going to buy five cars, a house here, a house there. I've got one car -- my Dodge Magnum. It's an '08 and rides smooth."

Weems doesn't just throw away his money. The way the 26-year-old looks at it, every NFL player's career has an expiration date. For someone who makes a living returning kickoffs and punts, that expiration date can come sooner rather than later.



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Meet the Atlanta Falcons Rookies: RB Philip Sylvester, FAMU

FLOWERY BRANCH, GA – Early in training camp, Falcons coach Mike Smith singled out the speedy running back Philip Sylvester for praise.

The former Florida A&M Rattler was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent after the lockout was lifted. Here’s bio from FAMU. He sings in the choir at his church so I know the veterans had a good time during his performance.

(I promised one of regular commenters, Marcus, that I’d catch up with Sylvester.)

So here’s are Q&A with him:

Q: How’s camp been going for you?

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Ex-Bethune-Cookman's Weems signs 1-year deal with Falcons

Atlanta, GA - Former Seabreeze and Bethune-Cookman standout Eric Weems signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday. Weems was a restricted free agent. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

With the changes to kickoffs this year, it was thought his value to the Falcons would diminish. He also returns punts, plays on coverage teams and fills in at times at wide receiver. He made his first Pro Bowl last season after returning 40 kickoffs for 1,100 yards and one touchdown and 18 punts for 230 yards and one touchdown. He added six receptions for 61 yards.

Weems was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month in December after a franchise-record 102-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and 55-yard punt return for a touchdown.



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2 ex-Bethune-Cookman stars make NFL Pro Bowl

Undrafted out of Bethune-Cookman. Cut in training camp. Nearly a season a half on the practice squad. All of Eric Weems' struggles to become an NFL player were validated Tuesday, as the former Seabreeze and Bethune-Cookman standout -- and now current Atlanta Falcons special teams ace -- was named to NFC roster for the 2011 NFL Pro Bowl as a specialist.


Videographer: tonypanzarella: Eric Weems 12/05/10 103 Yard Return

Joining Weems in the Jan. 30 game in Honolulu will be former Wildcats teammate Nick Collins, a Green Bay Packers cornerback who was selected to the NFL's all-star game for the third straight season.

The pair will become the first from B-CU to play in the same Pro Bowl, and Weems becomes just the fifth Wildcat to be selected for the game, joining Collins, Rashean Mathis, Larry Little and Cy McClairen.


Videographer: bbgun1967

Bethune-Cookman's Eric Weems Joins Seven Atlanta Falcons at The 2011 Pro Bowl

The Atlanta Falcons, who have the NFC’s best record at 12-3, placed an NFL-best seven players on the National Football Conference All-Star team that will face the American Football Conference All-Stars in the 2011 Pro Bowl – the kickoff to Super Bowl week – the NFL announced today.

The 2011 Pro Bowl will be played on Sunday, January 30, 2011 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii one week before Super Bowl XLV in North Texas. Broadcast live on FOX at 7:00 PM ET, the Pro Bowl will be held prior to the Super Bowl for the second consecutive year and serve as the signature kickoff event of Super Bowl week.

Packers Get 5 Pro Bowlers; Rodgers, Williams Snubbed

GREEN BAY – The Green Bay Packers will send five players – left tackle Chad Clifton, safety Nick Collins, wide receiver Greg Jennings, outside linebacker Clay Matthews and cornerback Charles Woodson – to Hawaii for the 2011 Pro Bowl.

But three players who arguably deserved to be on that list as well – or instead – were snubbed: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, cornerback Tramon Williams and nose tackle B.J. Raji.

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