Missing in action...

WR Kerry Meier preseason action: Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images

Calling number 80 anyone, calling number 80 anyone, please answer? I know there has been a lot of stories lately about why WR Kerry Meier is not playing in any of the Falcon's wide receiver sets this year. And I want to put in my two cents worth as well.

I remember during the 2010 draft wondering why we picked him in the 5th round. Then I started looking at his college numbers coming out of Kansas. He was pretty stout as a receiver combining for 2309 for his college career with 18 end zone appearances. He also started his freshman year as the Jayhawks quarterback throwing for 1193 with 13 TD's and 10 picks. Total passing for college came in at 1612 yards with 17 total TD's. To me, not a bad college career.

So now on to his paying career. Coming in at 6'2 and weighing 224 lbs, a perfect size and mold for a NFL wideout. So let's see what this kid has. My wife and I went to the opening preseason game of 2010 versus the Kansas City Chiefs at the Ga Dome. I saw him periodically, and he was doing pretty well until the dreaded fall. Diagnosis, torn knee!!! But that was then, and this is now. The 2011 season is alive and kicking, and the Atlanta Falcons sit at 4-3 coming off their bye. And the only time I have seen Meier is on special teams play. That's not to say he hasn't played on offense, I just haven't noticed. Too me, it seems like Offensive Coordinator Mike Murlarkey sticks with the same guys, and doesn't want to spread it around. Let's see how he produced. The Falcons seem to use KR Eric Weems a lot as a fourth or fifth wideout. Now this is me being my armchair GM. How about use Weems strictly on kick/punt returning and see what # 80 has to offer. Now if produces, play him more. If he doesn't, move on.

If I go back about 10 years the name Brian Finneran comes to mind. Number 86 at that time started his career an undrafted free agent signed by the Seattle Seahawks in 1998, moved to the Philadelphia Eagles and the Barcelona Dragons (NFL Europa) in 1999, and eventually settling in Atlanta from 2000-2010 until he retired. I always respected Finneran because he played the game the way it is suppose to be played, with heart. Nothing against Finneran, great guy. But I don't want to see Meier turn into what Finneran was. I don't want to see him bounce from team to team. Falcons, give him a chance. Leave Weems as the K/P returner, and use Meier as the fourth receiver behind Harry Douglas.

I know this post seems a lot opinionated by me in favor of Meier. But it's true, give the kid a chance and see what he has. What is there to loose. And by the way, this post might seem as if I know Meier, but I don't know him. I'm just being a fan. It's just his college stats at Kansas seems to prove that the he can play some ball. So, Head Coach Mike Smith and Mularkey, throw the football up his way and lets see what he can do.