Saints, Panthers and Bucs have all had a good look at White over the last decade ane one of them, perhaps all of them might find some interest in a guy who could play with a chip on his shoulder this season, especially against his old team. Truly, there are no words to adequately express my thanks for all he has meant to me, my family, the Falcons and to this community, both on and off the field.
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After a contentious 2015, the Falcons are moving on from Roddy White, the greatest receiver in franchise history. “We thank Roddy for everything he has meant to this organization and we wish him success as he continues his career”. He played all 11 years of his career in Atlanta and totaled 63 receiving touchdowns and 10,863 receiving yards.
“Decisions like these are always hard, but this was one of the most hard decisions I have been a part of in my years of football”, general manager Thomas Dimitroff said in a statement released by the team.
In recent years, as White’s output diminished, he retained an important role in mentoring fellow receiver Julio Jones, now one of the best wideouts in the NFL.
Blank said the decision to release White “was ultimately driven by the need to address some key areas on our roster and ultimately to meet that commitment”.
White saw his targets dip this past season. “We just didn’t get to do it today”. In hindsight, it turns out that White’s increased production in 2014 seemed to be a fluke because in 2015 his numbers once again plummeted. Adding talent at middle linebacker and wide receiver is also high on the list of upgrades required. He posted six consecutive 1,000-plus yard receiving seasons from 2007-2012, and can still be a strong second or third receiver for multiple teams in the league.
Of course, when you’re dealing with a franchise icon like Roddy White, it’s not just about what’s practical, and what makes me terribly sad is how cold and clinical a cut like this for such a tremendous player.
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“I do think because of what he stands for as a player and competitor that he can still play”, Quinn said. White never fit in Kyle Shanahan’s scheme, and he never was going to have a cozy relationship with Shanahan after a contentious start.
