AJC: Falcons Trying to Retain K Bryant, DT Peters, LB Weatherspoon, and WR Weems

With Dan Quinn having a big role in the Atlanta Falcons roster, many have been waiting to see what roster moves are made to see what sort of team Quinn wants to build. There have been some rumors about potential free agent targets, but we now know who he wants to keep from Mike Smith's roster.

The AJC's D. Orlando Ledbetter has the news. Who is in and who is out?

The Falcons are close to re-signing kicker Matt Bryant and opened discussions to retain linebacker Sean Weather-spoon, defensive tackle Corey Peters and wide receiver Eric Weems. Veteran running back Steven Jackson could be one of the players released. He’s played two seasons with the Falcons, but has been ineffective.

This news should make fans pretty happy. Money Matt Bryant has been one of the few consistent players, absolutely killing it in Atlanta's old field goal-based offense. He looks like he has plenty of leg left and was frequently relied upon to kick 50+ yard game winners.

Weatherspoon, a former first round pick, has struggled with injuries the last two seasons and has not developed into the dominant player the team was looking for. The team will likely look to bring him back on a short deal to see if he can stay healthy in produce in Quinn's new defense.

Peters would be a nice, underrated signing. Mike Nolan rarely used Peters to his strengths, but he flashed before and after his 2013 Achilles injury. On a team with what seems like 20 defensive tackles, Peters may be the best. Quinn should put him in a nice position to shine.

Weems is a fantastic special teams player who puts in spot duty on offense. He still has great speed and makes impact plays on special teams.

Oh, and Steven Jackson sounds gone. We have all those memories of the two games he did not look bad. I still cannot decide if signing him was the big disaster, or the old coaching staff refusing to believe he had nothing left and allowed him to outsnap Devonta Freeman and Antone Smith.

Any other players the team should make a priority to re-sign?