FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons started their youth movement Friday by ditching three key players from the most successful era in franchise history.

The Falcons released running back Michael Turner, defensive end John Abraham and cornerback Dunta Robinson, moves that were not unexpected given their age (all in their 30s) and hefty salaries.

Turner was officially released for a failed physical in the official league transactions Friday.

Still, it was a stunning start to Atlanta's offseason makeover, especially for a team that came up just short of the Super Bowl, losing to San Francisco in a thrilling NFC Championship Game. In one swoop, the Falcons let go their top rusher, their leader in sacks, and a starter in the secondary.

"These are never easy decisions to make," general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. "A lot of thought goes into these type of decisions."

The moves free up about $16 million in salary cap space, money that Dimitroff intends to use to build a younger roster. Last year, the Falcons were one of the oldest teams in the league.

"They were business decisions," he said. "They were decisions made for us to continue to look at the direction of this football team. We have a number of positions that we need to hone in on, whether if it's in the draft or potentially acquiring (players) in free agency. That's all that I can really say at this point, because there are a lot of moving parts."

Dimitroff said the moves had "very little" to do with whether Tony Gonzalez might return in 2013. The tight end indicated all last season that he was likely to retire, but has not made a final decision. He said it likely would be well into the offseason before he makes anything official.

The 31-year-old Turner was the first big free-agent signing under the Dimitroff-Smith regime in 2008. The bruising back rushed for 1,699 yards his first season and more than 1,300 yards two other years. But his playing time dipped dramatically in 2012 as the Falcons gave more carries to a totally different kind of back, Jacquizz Rodgers, who provided more speed and quickness.

Turner rushed for 800 yards this past season, the lowest of his five-year Atlanta stint, with 10 touchdowns. He averaged a career-low 3.6 yards per carry.