Roddy White has heard the rumors about his future. With two years remaining on his current contract, the receiver is well aware that many believe he could be released this offseason. White has spent his entire career with the Atlanta Falcons, but low stats have hurt his value. However, White made it clear that he will be in Atlanta forever.
Never one to shy away from the camera, when TMZ asked White about his future, he simply responded, "I'm a Falcon forever and ever, Amen." Taking a page out of Randy Travis' songbook, White seems very certain that the Falcons have no plans on releasing him. The receiver has a very manageable $6 million salary cap charge in 2016 which might be the biggest reason the Falcons do not part with the veteran. Julio Jones was quick to endorse the return of White by saying that while a rookie might be faster on the field, he does not come with the knowledge and leadership that his teammate already has.
"I think he's going to be back," Jones said, via MyAJC.com. "There isn't a question about whether if Roddy is going to be here or not. He's a play maker. He's been making big plays for us and he's going to continue to make big plays. You can't try to go get anybody off the street and feel like somebody has got talent, but if they haven't been through those situations and been comfortable in those situations, they are not going to make those plays."
The Falcons do need to make some upgrades at the receiver position. Justin Hardy and Nick Williams have potential which means Atlanta needs a more established player to become the new No.2. Rishard Matthews, Travis Benjamin, Marvin Jones and Jermaine Kearse could all be solid options to pair with Jones on the field. For now, the Falcons will focus on developing the players guaranteed to come back.
According to ESPN's Vaughn McClure, Matt Ryan plans on getting everyone together for some offseason throwing sessions. Tight end Jacob Tamme endorsed the idea saying that he has experience with that sort of thing while playing with Peyton Manning. It could be critical for the young receivers while also helping Ryan get out of his funk. The quarterback said that for a long time the Falcons were a veteran team, but with younger talent around the throwing sessions are needed.
"We're young across the board," Ryan said, via ESPN.com. "I think extra time put in together, whether it be here in Atlanta -- so many guys are here in the offseason, which is huge for us -- or whether it's getting together somewhere else and spending some time together and working together and trying to iron out some of the details and be a little bit more refined than we were this past season, I think that's a really good idea."