Falcons have roster decisions to make in offseason

Glendale, Ariz. — Falcons coach Mike Smith acknowledged that the franchise has some issues to address in the offseason.

One of the major issues is what to do with safety Lawyer Milloy, the fearless strong safety who provided leadership to the young unit his season.

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Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin beat Falcons safety Lawyer Milloy and ran down the sideline on a 71-yard scoring play.

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Milloy, 35, who has played 13 seasons in the NFL, will become a unrestricted free agent.

“I want to be with a contender and this is a contender that I helped build,” Milloy said following Saturday’s NFC playoff loss to Arizona. “Obviously, this is the first and foremost team because these are the guys I know, fought with and played hard for.”

Milloy held the defense together which played young cornerbacks all season. However, against Arizona, Milloy figured in two of their first-half touchdowns.

“I fought back hard to get on the field after an injury,” Milloy said. “I didn’t play my best half of football. But with that, it just shows what type of team we are. Even with me having a couple of bad plays, we still went into halftime winning.”

Milloy has talked about wanting to finish his career near his hometown of Tacoma, Wash., with the Seattle Seahawks. But after the Falcons improbable rise to the playoffs and the new regime’s foundation in place, Milloy would like to stay with the Falcons.

“I think it’s set up for a lot of good years in the future for Atlanta Falcons football,” Milloy said. “The city of Atlanta should be excited. We can definitely hold our heads up, but it sure hurts right now.”

The Falcons could elect to get younger at the strong safety position.

“This is my first choice, because this is the team I know,” Milloy said. “I know I want to play next year. I know that I have a couple of good years left in me. I think I had one of my most solid years in recent history.”

Milloy was one of the players that Smith leaned on to carry his message to the younger players. Milloy was usually seen leading the cheers in the middle of the pre-game circles before kickoff.

“I think we proved that we are a serious contender as long as we stay healthy,” Milloy said. “They’ve been signing some of the guys they need to sign early to really set this up for a lot of really good years to come.”

But Milloy knows that the NFL is a business and he could be playing elsewhere next season.

“It’s in their hands right now,” Milloy said. “Once the smoke clears here, I can sit back and hold my head up high and know that I gave it may all, my three years here. I did everything I was asked to do from a leadership standpoint and on the field.”

Defensive tackle Grady Jackson, 35, another elder on the defense, also wants to return next season.

“I just have to see if they want me back,” Jackson said. “I would love to be back.”

Other key personnel decision will be made about linebackers Keith Brooking and Michael Boley, cornerback Domonique Foxworth, defensive end Chauncey Davis and punter Michael Koenen.