Falcon Fantom Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Everyone is learning all the new aspects of coordinator Dirk Koetter’s offense. The learning for Kerry Meier is spread across multiple positions at the wide receiver position but the mental and physical preparation he’s put in has prepared him for the extra workload. Now two seasons removed from an injury, he might be ready to take a step forward as a receiver. Every year of Kerry Meier’s first three with the Falcons has included a major learning obstacle to overcome.As a rookie, a knee injury took him off the field for the entirety of the season. It was the first significant injury of his playing career at any level. Instead of adjusting to life on the field as an NFL rookie, he was adjusting to life as a rehabbing player.Last season’s lockout during the offseason complicated his rehab and training camp threw everyone and their bodies into the football-contact fire immediately. The wide receiver quickly had to accept his physical progress and move on to the mental aspect of coming back from an major knee injury. The ability to be on the field and take hits and be physical was a major step for Meier and his development on his way back from an injury and as an up-and-coming player in the league.This year, with those obstacles behind him, he’s learning a new offense. It could be said for a player who has been through what he has in his first two years, the third obstacle is by far the easiest. Regardless, here he is, and he feels better than he ever has, mentally and physically.“I definitely felt that through these OTAs, my body feels strong,” he said following Tuesday’s morning walk through. “I feel comfortable doing all of the movements that I ask my body to do. Right now I’ve never been more confident in what I’m doing with my body as well as mentally. I’m looking forward to finishing this week off strong and taking care of my body in July and coming back in August and being ready to roll.”Meier played one full season in college as Kansas’ quarterback and finished his career there as the team’s backup while setting school records as a wide receiver. The background as a QB and the ability to conceptualize the entire offense has helped him learn new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter’s new offense.He’s likely to be the team’s fourth wide receiver on the depth chart, but that mainly means his role as a backup will feature the same versatility that he showed while at Kansas.“What I like to think I’m capable of doing is being versatile and being able to step in and fall in behind Harry (Douglas), Roddy (White) or Julio (Jones) and not miss a beat if one of them needs to come off the field,” he said. “… As we go with the wide receivers corps, the offense will go as well. Right now, the big thing is continuing to learn the nuances of what Coach Koetter’s doing, the new folds and wrinkles that he’s bringing in and learning each position. I think it’s great if you can approach and learn the outside and the slot, because then you understand the whole concept of a play and not just one thing and one thing only.”It takes a certain kind of mentally-tough player to overcome injuries so early in a career and not be afraid of the extra work it takes to learn multiple positions. Though Meier didn’t catch a single pass last season, he was on the field, sharpening his mind and his body. With the obstacles hurdled, he’s beginning to take his place inside an offense that appears to be in tune with bringing out the best in each of its playmakers.Meier may not be a playmaker just yet, but he’s a jack-of-all trades type of player that will fill a vital role in more than one area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shnikies Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 He looked jacked in that picture on the front page. I hope he has a bigger role this coming season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vel Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Yet, all the cynics want to write him off because he hasn't done anything yet. Meier is going to play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmite Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Hope to see him do well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muskokas finest © Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Wish I had a penny for every "might" and "step forward" we've read this off season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CTann Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 He made a great catch over a defender today in practice. I didn't catch who was defending him but the guy was on Meier like a magnet and Kerry came down with a great physical catch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kane#7 Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 He and DJ Shockley is da future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonOfThemBirds Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 I'm really hoping to see him get some actual playing time this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Right Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 This guy could have been Laurent Robinson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duff_Man Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Wish I had a penny for every "might" and "step forward" we've read this off season.Yeah...you'd think it was the off-season or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuggle'2 Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 He looked jacked in that picture on the front page. I hope he has a bigger role this coming season.He looked jacked in the video of the WRs making catches. I hope he gets some play this year. If he can prove himself worthy he has potential to be a real weapon as a 4th WR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bohern Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 The Falcons need a gritty and tough possession type of WR, B Finn part 2. I hope he can fill that need as he has the gritty part locked down and plays tough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconsfan567 Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Looking forward to seeing him finally get some action.The Falcons need a gritty and tough possession type of WR, B Finn part 2. I hope he can fill that need as he has the gritty part locked down and plays tough.I've always thought he could take over Finn's role. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bohern Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 (edited) Looking forward to seeing him finally get some action.I've always thought he could take over Finn's role.I think that was the role the F/O had in mind for him. and oh BTW if you have not checked out the Catches of the day on the main site you need to cause he got some balls with the first team. One was a good catch against Dunta too. Edited June 19, 2012 by Bohern Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconsd56 Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 I do not think he will be much more then a 4th wr but with all the spread looks we are most likely going to have a chance to make some plays.He could be what Finneran was for us the last few years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconsd56 Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 The Falcons need a gritty and tough possession type of WR, B Finn part 2. I hope he can fill that need as he has the gritty part locked down and plays tough.Exactly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest (Spot on Dtan) Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 What is it with our "Young" GM and guys with knee injuries? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bohern Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 What is it with our "Young" GM and guys with knee injuries?your mom just called and your dinner is ready....go boy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuggle'2 Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 your mom just called and your dinner is ready....go boy.lol ... The street lights are on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconsfan567 Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 lol ... The street lights are on.That reminds me of when I was a kid and had to be home by the time the street lights came on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuggle'2 Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 That reminds me of when I was a kid and had to be home by the time the street lights came on.Yep , had my but wooped a few times breaking that rule. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconsfan567 Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Yep , had my but wooped a few times breaking that rule.Yep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muskokas finest © Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 That reminds me of when I was a kid and had to be home by the time the street lights came on.What finally happened? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bohern Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 What finally happened?Well for me it depended if the girls of the neighborhood were around.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconsfan567 Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 What finally happened?What do you mean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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