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5 Atlanta Falcons Veterans Who Won’t Survive Training Camp in 2015

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5 Atlanta Falcons Who Won't Make It Through 2015 Training Camp

Devin Hester Falcons
Scott Cunningham-Getty Images

Two straight bad seasons brought change to the Atlanta Falcons this year, with Dan Quinn taking over as head coach after a successful run as Seattle Seahawks' defensive coordinator.

With training camp just over a month away, here are five Falcons' veterans who won't make it to Week 1 with the team.

5. DE Cliff Matthews

Cliff Matthews Falcons
Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

5. DE Cliff Matthews

Cliff Matthews Falcons
Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

Matthews was basically strictly a special teamer in 2014, and he is still looking for his first career sack four seasons in. There's nothing here to convince the Falcons to keep him around much longer.

4. WR Eric Weems

Eric Weems Falcons
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

4. WR Eric Weems

Eric Weems Falcons
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Weems had more special teams tackles (12) than targets (11) last year, and the Falcons should easily choose a younger player (Bernard Reedy?) to fill a similar role as their No. 5 wide receiver.

3. OT Lamar Holmes

Lamar Holmes Falcons
Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

3. OT Lamar Holmes

Lamar Holmes Falcons
Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Holmes started four games at right tackle last year before suffering a season-ending foot injury, and he started 15 games in 2013 between both tackle spots. But his level of play hasn't been good enough to even guarantee a roster spot this year, and Ryan Schraeder looks likely to take over at right tackle permanently.

2. TE Tony Moeaki

Tony Moeaki Seahawks
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

2. TE Tony Moeaki

Tony Moeaki Seahawks
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Falcons signed Moeaki to a one-year deal in March, and if he can stay healthy while recapturing his previous form (80 total receptions during the 2010 and 2012 seasons) he will be a worthy flier. But he has a lengthy injury history, so it's hard to see Moeaki making it through training camp and the preseason unscathed.

1. WR Devin Hester

Devin Hester Falcons
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

1. WR Devin Hester

Devin Hester Falcons
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Hester had a fairly productive first season with the Falcons in 2014, with 38 receptions and a Pro Bowl nod as a kickoff returner, but his role in new offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan's system is unclear right now. Competition from Leonard Hankerson and rookie Justin Hardy puts Hester firmly on the roster bubble looking toward training camp.

Brad Berreman is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
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