Moving out

A look at issues for the Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions as they head into the offseason:

Falcons

-Will offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey return? After eight years with the Falcons, he could be in the running for a head coaching job with the Jacksonville Jaguars or Miami Dolphins.

-Who to keep? Several key defensive players will be free agents, including right defensive end John Abraham, middle linebacker Curtis Lofton, safety Thomas Decoud and cornerback Brent Grimes.

-How much longer for Michael Turner? He rushed for 1,340 yards and 11 touchdowns this season, the third time in four years he has totaled at least that many yards. But he’s approaching 30.

Lions

-After failing to land a top cornerback last offseason, Detroit saw its coverage deficiency and lack of depth exposed by Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints.

-The running game was an issue after Mikel Leshoure’s season was wiped out in training camp by a torn Achilles tendon and Jahvid Best was finished after Week 6 because of concussion issues. That one-two punch might ultimately materialize. But with two 100-yard rushing games in 2011, the Lions never had a consistent running game.

-The strength of the defense is up front, which allowed the Lions to post 41 sacks without heavy blitzes. But after investing first-round picks on tackles Nick Fairley and Ndamukong Suh, they could use a fast edge rusher to deepen the rotation.