Atlanta Falcons release Devin Hester ahead of training camp

Return specialist Devin Hester has been released by the Atlanta Falcons.

While Hester played a bit of a return in the passing game he was mainly a return threat in his first season with the Falcons and  was a player that was a lot of fun to watch.

Coming into the second season of his contract with the Falcons, Hester could not seem to get himself healthy and onto the field. The few times he did manage to be in games this season he looked like a shadow of his former self. His lack of production makes this move unsurprising. Especially when you keep in mind the players the Falcons have shown they are already willing to cut ties with. Cutting Hester should not come as a surprise to anyone.

Not to say that Hester will have many problems finding a job with his record-setting return history. If he can prove himself healthy he should have plenty of suitors before this season kicks off.

That leaves a new position up for taking on the Falcons team both as a kick returner and a punt returner. Two names are at the forefront of that discussion coming into camp: Tevin Coleman and Eric Weems. While Weems is the obvious favorite it should not surprise anyone if Coleman manages to surpass him in pre-season. Coleman has the ability to be an explosive player if he can learn to fumble the ball less.

This adds yet another story line to follow in Falcons training camp and cuts down on roster size bringing it to 87 men with the team scheduled to report to camp Wednesday. Cutting Hester and Roddy White has cleared up the wide receiver depth chart as well opening up plenty of spots for competition this season.

This gives Falcons fans yet another reason to stay tuned to training camp as well as the preseason.