Roddy White: 10 Reasons He Is the Best Receiver in the NFL
After his first two years in the NFL, Roddy White appeared on his way to bust status. He couldn't get open and couldn't hang onto the ball when he did.
My, how things have changed.
White has some mind-boggling numbers this year. He could become the first receiver to win the MVP award and will likely be named Offensive Player of the Year.
There are many, many good receivers playing professional football, but White needs to be considered the best.
Here are 10 reasons why.
10. His Numbers
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The easiest thing to point out.
White leads the league in receptions, receiving yards and targets. He is also near the top in receiving touchdowns and has the most receiving first downs in the league.
Granted, White had the advantage of playing on a Thursday this week, so his numbers are ahead of others due to that as of now; but he will likely be the leader in those categories once this week is through.
When a guy has the statistical advantage over everyone else at his position, it's hard to argue against him.
9. He's Getting Those Numbers on a Running Team
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The Falcons are primarily a running team. It is their biggest strength and it was thought that they could not win when they did not have it going.
White has changed that.
In Atlanta's last game against Baltimore, they could not get running back Michael Turner going at all and actually looked to pass first.
Without White it is doubtful this would have been a successful strategy.
Aside from that game, however, the Falcons have always looked to run first in hopes of opening up the pass.
White has been able to become the top receiver in the league on a team that averages nearly 30 rushing attempts per game.
That is no easy task.
8. He Makes His Quarterback Better
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Matt Ryan gets a lot of credit for how well the Falcons are playing right now, and deservedly so. He is arguably the best young QB there is and is drawing a ton of comparisons to an early Peyton Manning.
Consider, though, that White first burst onto the scene when Chris Redman was throwing him the ball.
In 2007, the year White first earned his first-round draft pick status, Redman became the Falcons' emergency starter after Michael Vick went to prison.
White was the lone bright spot that season, emerging with 83 receptions, 1,202 yards and six touchdowns.
He has not looked back since and it is doubtful that Ryan would have progressed as well as he has without White on the field with him.
We often hear of quarterbacks making those around them better, and Ryan does just that. White, though, needs to get loads of credit for allowing him to do so.
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7. He Is Distraction-Free
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At a time when many receivers make headlines not for their play, but for their comments and actions off the field, White does all his work without drawing any unnecessary attention to himself.
Wide receivers have become known as the divas of the NFL. They complain when they don't get their numbers, regardless of whether or not their team wins and, in many other ways, those who play the position have developed a "Me First" mentality.
Roddy has never displayed any of this behavior.
It is somewhat disheartening that professional football has come to this. Nevertheless, White should be commended for knowing how to conduct himself while those who he must have looked up to as a young man have not been model citizens.
6. He's Also a Good Blocker
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As mentioned earlier, the Falcons are a running team. Despite not being the top rushing team statistically, many consider their ground game the best in the league.
Obviously, the most credit goes to the offensive line for that, but it also takes receivers doing their job.
Michael Turner is known to not only be a bruiser, but capable of breaking long runs with the best of them.
That type of play results not only from a strong O-line and a good back, it also means guys are getting blocked downfield.
Many wideouts are not good blockers. Fortunately for the Falcons, White is not one of them.
5. He Never Takes a Play Off
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Randy Moss has said he only plays when he "wants to play."
Well, whether he wants to or not, White always does and he does so with great effort.
Again, it's kind of sad that we need to worry about this stuff with professional athletes, but that is the world we live in.
A young guy who gets it and always give his best should be praised for it.
4. He Is Un-Guardable
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White is consistently seeing double-teams and always has the opponent's best cover guy on him.
It doesn't matter; he'll get open.
Ryan does not throw the ball to receivers who are covered, making it remarkable that White has seen so many targets.
Even if Ryan does try to squeeze it in there when White has multiple defenders on him, Roddy will find a way to make the play.
It's a nice option for a quarterback to have.
3. He Keeps Getting Better
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White has improved every year he's been in the league. It even seems like he's getting better game-to-game.
They've already been huge this year. If Ryan and White continue to evolve at this rate, they could go down as one of the best combinations ever.
Not many people would have thought that with the way Roddy's career started.
2. He Just Had a Monster Game While Playing Hurt
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Yes, it's true that every player in the NFL is banged up right now.
White was, however, listed as questionable going into Thursday's game against Baltimore with a bruised knee, and a receiver's greatest assets are his legs.
You can't get open if you can't run.
White missed a large chunk of the Falcons' previous game against Tampa Bay, when he sustained the injury, then exploded for 12 catches, 138 yards and two touchdowns against the Ravens.
I wish my knee hurt like that.
1. He Makes Plays To Win Games
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Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris will tell you that "stats are for losers." In way, he's right. The only thing that really matters are wins and losses.
Roddy White has been directly responsible for at least four Atlanta wins this year.
He's had three go-ahead fourth quarter touchdown catches and his strip of San Francisco defensive back Nate Clements after an interception in the final minutes of their Week 4 contest led to the game-winning field goal.
He steps up his game when his team needs it most and Atlanta would not be anywhere near as good as they are without him
That is why he is the NFL's best receiver.
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