Atlanta Falcons: Is the Roddy White era over?
Having an NFL football player spend his entire career with one team is becoming a rarity.
At the end of the day, the NFL is a business and as players get older, they become expendable no matter what they have meant to the team. No matter what contributions they have made in the past, if they aren’t bring much to the table, away they go.
The Atlanta Falcons have been lucky enough to have a player stick with the team through thick and thin and that player has seen while in Atlanta.
Roddy White has spent all 11 of his professional seasons with the Falcons and in that time frame has put together some of the best statistical numbers in franchise history.
White is the Falcons’ all-time leading receiver in yards, receptions, touchdowns and has caught the longest pass in franchise history.
White had six consecutive 1000-yard seasons from 2007-2012 and helped lead the Falcons to an NFC Championship game in 2012.
His numbers speak for themselves, but it’s his attitude on and off the field that helped win over the hearts of the fan base. White will go down in history as one of the best, most well-liked players of all-time and his contributions to the team will never be forgotten.
However, his day’s in Atlanta might be over.
White had his worst season as a pro since his second NFL season way back in 2006 and is now at the age of 34.
White still has one year left on his contract, but the team very well could try to trade him away, or release him if they believe his best days are well behind him.
Most people could agree that White’s best days are behind him, but the argument will be if he has anything left in the tank.
I believe White has a little left in the tank, but he’s sitting on fumes. He’s at the stage where your gas light has been on for 15 miles and you’re praying that you can make it to a gas station in time. You could make it and still be alright, or you could run out and fall flat on your face.
It’s a matter of taking a risk at this point. Do you want to keep White just because of what he has meant to the Falcons’ franchise, or do you want to replace him with a younger player and improve your receiving corps?
White finished fourth in receiving this year for the Falcons after catching just 43 passes. White finished with 506 receiving yards and caught just one touchdown pass. He was virtually useless this past season and to think that he won’t be next year as well isn’t fair to say.
White was never known for having breakaway speed. He was known for fairy good route running and the ability to catch passes in traffic. At the age of 34, White is one of the slowest receivers in the NFL and isn’t good enough to contribute at a high level anymore.
I love White as much as the next guy. I fan-girled over White when I got my jersey autographed signed by him two years ago and have it hanging on my wall. It’s one of my most cherished pieces of autographed memorabilia that I own and it will remain in my collection for life.
I hate thinking that White could be playing for another team next season, but the reality of the matter is this. White is human and his glory days are over. It’s sad to say that, but it’s apart of life.
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People need to wake up and realize that White will likely be playing for another franchise next season but it’s for the best, folks. If that means we can replace him with a younger, more talented receiver then by all means do it.
What do you guys think? Is the Roddy White era over with the Falcons?