It’s tough to admit but longtime Falcons WR great Roddy White is in the twilight of his career. Though he is still a highly productive receiver for the Atlanta Falcons, he will turn 34 years of age this November during his eleventh NFL season.
White has over 10,000 career receiving yards (10,357) and 62 career touchdown catches as the Dirty Birds most decorated receiver. There’s a spot waiting for his number in the New Atlanta Stadium’s rafters and potentially a place in Canton when White decides to hang up his cleats. While I don’t think 2015 will be Roddy White’s last in the NFL, I’m curious about what one of my all-time favorite players will bring to the Falcons this fall.
Before dealing with a severe high ankle sprain in 2013, White had never missed a game for Atlanta any reason. His physicality and toughness are a huge reason why he has been so successful for so long. This four-time Pro Bowler was usually a lock for 1,000 yard, 7+ TD seasons for the Falcons. But since this ankle injury, White has missed a combined five games the last two years and has failed to reach that yardage milestone.
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White is still a favorite target for QB Matt Ryan as Roddy has received over 125 targets in all but three of his ten seasons with the team. In his career White averages 76.5 catches for 1035.7 yards and 6.2 touchdowns a season, while playing in 15.5 games. Keep in mind that it didn’t click for Roddy until Year Three, as he was the lone bright spot during the Petrino Year.
So assuming that Roddy White can stay reasonably healthy in 2015, I don’t see why he can’t hit his average over the last eight seasons (88.25 catches, 1,175.625 yards, and 7.375 touchdowns). Though the Falcons may not throw as much in Kyle Shanahan’s offense like it had been under Dirk Koetter, I think an improved running game will opponent up a more efficient passing game. And now that Roddy White lines up in the slot a good bit, with his physicality and route running ability he will continue to get his number called in crucial third-down situations.
While Julio Jones is definitely the team’s biggest playmaker, when the game is on the line I trust Roddy White to make the catch that leads the Atlanta Falcons to victory. He’s done it before and I expect he will do it again for the only team he will play for: The Atlanta Falcons. Let’s win this guy a Super Bowl.