FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga.– The Falcons have been away from the field for about a month and wide receiver/kick returner Devin Hester is still unsure how he fits into new offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s scheme. Hester told Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com that he it was “still up in the air right now,” at the end of mini-camp.
When he showed up to the team facility on Thursday, the thoughts remained the same.
“It’s still up in the air,” Hester said. “I really don’t know as of right now. There’s new coaches, so it’s time to compete right now and let the best man win.”
Last season Hester brought in 38 catches for 504 yards and two touchdowns. Hester is more known for his return abilities that yielded 63 (kick/punt) returns for 1,368 yards and one touchdown in 2014.
We do know that he will factor on special teams. How much on offense? That will be something to watch during training camp and in preseason games.
Matthews and Asamoah Ready To Go
The Falcons are hoping that 2015 is better than 2014 in terms of the health of their offensive linemen. Last year, left tackle Jake Matthews ended the season with a lisfranc injury in his foot that caused him to have surgery over the offseason. Right guard Jon Asamoah dealt with an ankle issue that kept him out for pretty much all of the offseason practices.
Both players showed up to Falcons camp on Thursday and say they’ve been given a clean bill of health. Matthews is ready to practice.
“It feels good and I’m ready to go,” Matthews said. “I’m cleared to do everything, so when we start tomorrow I’ll be out there playing. I’m excited too, it’s been awhile and I’m ready to get back into it.”
Asamoah wouldn’t comment on the exact nature of his ankle injury. Saying that he would let coach Quinn handle that. But like Matthews, he’s feeling good.
“We’re all good,” Asamoah said. “It’s rehabbed and good to go. We were real cautious with it during the offseason, so come this time we were good to go.”
Like Matthews, fellow linemen Joe Hawley and Peter Konz were able to return for limited participation at the end of mini-camp. Asamoah missed pretty much all of OTA’s and mini-camp.
Hawley and Konz are trying to return from torn ACL’s that sidelined them for the majority of the 2014 season.
Depth has been an issue on the offensive line and at the moment the Falcons have 17 players in that group for the start of camp. They are at 16 active for the moment, with offensive tackle Lamar Holmes trying to return from a foot injury. He has been placed on the Physically Unable To Perform list. Holmes showed up to camp with a boot on the injured foot and using crutches.
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