Atlanta Falcons: The Fate of Roddy White

Roddy White has been a model of consistency for most of his ten year career with the Atlanta Falcons. Recent lack of production and high price for that production has brought about speculation that White won’t be back with the team for the 2016 season.

Dec 20, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White (84) hugs owner Arthur Blank as they beat the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half at EverBank Field. Atlanta Falcons defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Sitting atop the Atlanta Falcons list for most receiving yards in a career in franchise history is one man, Roddy White. Over his ten year career with the team, White has amassed 10,863 receiving yards which his also good for 35th on the all time career receiving yards list. His grit and passion on the field is known to fire up teammates and turn up the fan base on any given Sunday. However at the end of this ten year journey, at the end of 10,863 yards, and the end of a three year playoff drought, the team is currently considering cutting the four time pro bowl receiver.

“I’m a Falcon. Forever and ever, amen.”

-Roddy White via TMZ.com

The Falcons selected Roddy White with the 27th overall pick in the 2005 draft. White entered Atlanta at the tail end of the Dunn-Vick-Duckett days which were truly exhilarating times in Atlanta. Roddy played backseat to tight end Alge Crumpler as far as receiving is concerned while Michael Vick was the teams quarterback.

Vick as we all know was jailed during the 2007 season, which was the same season that saw head coach Bobby Petrino leave the team mid season while the Falcons finished with a 4-12 record. There was however one bright spot in the 2012 season. White surpassed the 1,000 yard receiving mark for the first time in his career putting up 1,202 yards and 6 touchdowns while receiving balls from three different quarterbacks throughout the season.

The 2007 season was the beginning of consistency for White in Atlanta. The following offseason the Falcons drafted franchise quarterback Matt Ryan who immediately provided improved quarterback play for the team. Between 2007 and 2012 White put together 6 consecutive seasons of 1,150 receiving yards or more with his greatest season coming in 2012 in which he had 1,389 receiving yards.

The problem here is that the NFL is known as a “what have you done for me lately” league. White has not surpassed 1,000 yards for the past three seasons. Some believe that his lack of production was due to injury in the season following the NFC title game in which the team lost in the final seconds to the San Fransisco 49ers.

Some say that White’s age is finally catching up to him striping him of his ability to create separation from defensive backs. Some even say that his current lack of production is due to the new scheme of offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan which focuses on feeding superstar Julio Jones the ball.

Nov 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White (84) runs onto the field before their game against the Indianapolis Colts at the Georgia Dome. The Colts won 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

The most valid of these assumptions is White’s age and how his production is affected by it. Truthfully, no receiver outside of the great Jerry Rice can produce at the age of 35 in ways that they did in their twenties. However I do believe that Roddy White still has a bit to offer the team. White has been the emotional leader of the offense and arguably the entire team for years. His passion in division games has at times been the deciding factor in close crunch time situations. The team also believes that White has something to offer and would like to see him back, at a cheaper price.

More nfl spin zone: 5 Free Agent Options for the Atlanta Falcons

According to Vaughn McClure at ESPN, White isn’t interested in taking a pay cut which puts the team in a tough spot. Do you cut your all time leader in receiving yards to save money for other team needs, or do you bite the bullet and allow your former pro bowl receiver to remain with the team with hopes that production will return?

Honestly there is no wrong answer as there are ways to prosper with both decisions. If the Falcons were to leave White on the roster, sign a free agent receiver like Travis Benjamin to man the number two spot, cut ties with receivers Devin Hester and Nick Williams, and draft a receiver for depth then the receiving core as well as the overall team would prosper.

One thing however is for sure, cutting White will not solve the Falcons problems of recent years. Drafting or signing his replacement will.

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