“Obvious Interest” From Roddy White
March 6th, 2016
Roddy White speaks
Why fool with a motivated, healthy and experienced free agent like Roddy White when Donteea Dye is available and Louis Murphy is only four months removed from ACL surgery?
This is one of the difficult questions facing Jason Licht and Dirk Koetter.
It’s not like Koetter called White “the single-most competitive football player I’ve ever met in my life.”
Forgive Joe’s sarcasm. But Joe’s getting increasingly nervous that the Bucs will fail to address the wide receiver position this offseason with a significant acquisition. Joe would find that to be a crime against America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston.
Speaking of White, he was speaking yesterday to BSPN. The Falcons legend talked about his release and was very candid. It’s worth the read.
Falcons beat writer Vaughn McClure even talked to 34-year-old White about the Bucs.
The next step for White, a former first-round draft pick and the Falcons’ all-time leading receiver with 10,863 yards on 808 catches (63 touchdowns), is finding a new team.
“I know I can still play, without a doubt,” White said. “Two or three years, I feel like I can play. I feel like I can be productive. Whoever brings me in will give me the opportunity to catch passes.”
White stopped short of saying he wants to reunite with former Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, now the Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach.
There is an obvious interest in such a scenario, however. Plus, White said he wants to stay in warm weather and in the South.
“I can’t say that right now,” White said of the Buccaneers. “That would just be me being emotional. I never base my decisions off emotions.”
Joe really doesn’t see the harm in bringing White in for a workout and a chat.
Licht said the Bucs should be a playoff contender in 2016. A guy like White should be able to help, if that was a serious take from the general manager.
March 6th, 2016 at 8:27 am
I would love this signing (5 yr ago) we already have a aging possession guy in V-Jax. While we desperately do need a upgrade at the receiver position I don’t think Roddy is the answer. But I’m with Joe on getting nervous on Licht not addressing the problem at the receiving core. It still blows my mind that we started Dye opposite of Evans half the season. That guy does not belong on a 53 man roster. Humphries is a solid but not spectacular guy that “catches” the ball when u throw it to him. And it’s more than likely V Jax will be out at some point with a injury again so your gonna need another guy to rely on. Murphy has shown flashes of being a decent slot guy but can’t stay healthy. I was really wishing they would of brought up Andre Davis from the practice squad last season, U can’t tell me he wouldn’t be a upgrade over Dye. He was a beast at USF. Why not give him a chance? And I really hope “afro thunder” (Kenny Bell) has a break out season and is our deep threat we have sorely lacked for almost a decade.(that’s sad)
March 6th, 2016 at 8:34 am
Isn’t Humphries a better option at this point? FA’s Sanu, Rishard Matthews, Benjamin, Kearse?
Next week is going to be interesting.
March 6th, 2016 at 8:44 am
Joe is right on target about our receiving core beading help.
We had more drops than any other team in football last year and we need a dynamic receiver opposite of Evans(please be working on your pass catching this offseason).
ESPN usually doesn’t know what they are talking about but I read an article the other day that said the Bucs have the worst bottom half Roster of any team in the NFL.
We have so many needs:
2 DE, 1 DT, 2 SLB, 2 CB, 2 S, 1 FB, 2 RB, 1 WR, 1 OG and 1 OT.
March 6th, 2016 at 8:48 am
Ocala….you mean to tell me that Jenkins and Jennings were no good?
March 6th, 2016 at 8:52 am
If we don’t get Martin back in the fold, it shows that ownership simply isn’t serious about winning. It won’t matter how many quality wide receivers we have, without a consistent running game, we’re screwed. I cannot believe Licht and the Glazers have allowed this to happen. This is starting to smell more and more like the Michael Bennett debacle of a few years ago.
March 6th, 2016 at 8:55 am
@ biff barker
I agree that they should upgrade the WR position with anyone of those guys over White. Righ now I hope that they are focusing on re-signing Sterling Moore and Doug martin
March 6th, 2016 at 9:02 am
“We weren’t going out there and averaging over 20 points per game, which is bad. Prior to him being there, we could score 20 points sitting down. Our offense was never really a problem before.”” – Roddy White
March 6th, 2016 at 9:05 am
CanadianBF, Martin’s agent met with the Bucs yesterday. He’s going to hit the market.
For the record, Biff believes we plan to draft one.
March 6th, 2016 at 9:06 am
Don’t think Moore will be back. He will be looking to cash in when FA hits and Licht isn’t gonna over pay for a nickel back. We will add a corner thru FA or the draft. And probably a undrafted FA as well.
March 6th, 2016 at 9:13 am
This would be a super pick up and put our O oher the top…. With or without The Musel Hamster.
. APPARENTLY Kenny Bell has been forgotten about just as planned by our stud new head coach 😉 who would be worried about anything with a receiving corp of…
Bell, Humphries & Murphey/Dye
White, VJ & ME
ASJ & Brave
Rainy & Simms
If that group can’t getter done than we know to target another big impact guy cause ME can’t shoulder the load…. Which to be honest VJ and White together would likely be the best thing that could ever happen for ME’s career!!!
THIS DEAL NEEDS TO BE DONE AND WE CAN SHIFT FOCUS TO the musllel hamster…
March 6th, 2016 at 9:24 am
And for the record…. Donate Dye is not that bad…
Him and Kenny Bell have exceptional speed that can be exploited through all sorts of short passes and screens… The over the top deep stuff will go to ME because that’s what he does best…. And I know he can’t stay healthy but ASJ has game braking deep threat potential because he can’t be cover by a LB deep…
We are much better off at WR then most of you realize…. So guys like White and VJ are perfect fits at this stage in they’re careers!!!Rome didn’t…. OK never mind…
March 6th, 2016 at 9:26 am
Hell could sign Benjamin and white with out spending a lot now that would be a wr core
March 6th, 2016 at 9:45 am
The problem with signing white is that he really doesn’t give us any additional versatility. The only thing that makes sense to me is that he would be a replacement for Louis Murphy if Murphy can’t return to form after his injury and we won’t know that for a while.
The replacement for Dye would likely be Bell…..
We need a top-tier WR with great speed to add to our mix now and someone who can be a #2 when Vjax leaves.
March 6th, 2016 at 9:52 am
Playoffs Did You Say Playoffs In 2016!!!!!!
March 6th, 2016 at 9:58 am
How can Bell be forgotten when he was never a factor. Bell, Humphries and Dye are unproven projects not reliable nfl receivers. Jameis needs veteran experienced receivers for WHEN vjax misses games next year and at his age and with the uncertainty of his knee vjax will miss games. Yes, DYE is that bad… It’s ok to have a project like humphries and a bum like Murphy if they are your 5th and 6th receivers. Koetter / Winston need 4 reliable nfl receivers and White and Kearse or Sanu should be picked up.
Vjax
Evans
White
Kearse or Sanu
Humphries or Bell
Sheppard for special teams emergency wr
Dye belongs in the CFL or on a practice squad. He’s done nothing just like bell as done nothing. Bucs and Bucs fans need to stop rewarding potential and demand results before giving away rosters spots.
Even in the down year that White had last year he still had better numbers than Murphy has ever had in his career so let’s stop with the murphy bs he’s been on the couch to start multiple seasons and only the bucs came calling. leave him on the couch.
Martin is a 50/50 back and has just has many crap seasons has productive ones. He can be replaced stop acting like we are potentially losing Walter Payton… I trust Licht and Koetter to field a team that fits the offense and if a 50/50 back with fumbling issues is not in the plans so be it… Not ONE of the final 4 playoff teams had a bell cow back… It’s not 1977 anymore…
March 6th, 2016 at 9:59 am
I don;t even understand why the Bucs would not do this deal with White. He won’t cost much, wants to keep playing, works hard and likely wants to prove himself. Why is he not already signed?
March 6th, 2016 at 10:16 am
Please..Tampa Bay Atlanta colony….Don’t bring in this washed up vet. His best days are way behind him. He’s had his run. I know you are now..partial to anything that’s been a Falcon. But let Roddy White ride off into the sunset.
We have far more pressing needs.
March 6th, 2016 at 10:17 am
the Tampa Bay times says the bucs have the 7th most cap space, but the team is Not expected to pursue Any top-dollar free agents !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WTF Joe have you heard of this ????????
March 6th, 2016 at 10:21 am
We are fine at reciever right now holy hell. Roddy white is old and is having trouble staying healthy. I mean sure if its a dirt cheap contract why not but I will be disapointed if I dont see Adam humphries out there geyting his opportunities next season.
March 6th, 2016 at 10:27 am
Kevin : I will be pissed off if Humphries doesn’t get a shot!
March 6th, 2016 at 10:41 am
I don’t think we are fine at WR right now. I think Evans will learn to catch the ball again in 2016, but outside of that I think this team needs to bring as many weapons as possible for our prince. Roddy White on the cheap is fine with me for now, but they can’t stop there.
Of course there are MANY more needs before WR for this team, but I would like it addressed if possible.
March 6th, 2016 at 10:47 am
Screw it
Keep bringing in has-beens, go back to the big sombrero days with $10 seats and $3 44oz beer.
Lets party, screw a quality roster!
March 6th, 2016 at 10:51 am
LOL Space…if we get those 10 dollar seats. Does that mean we get to move down closer to the field like the old days too? lol That would be nice.
March 6th, 2016 at 10:51 am
In the wise words of LVD(Travis Benjamin) get this guy here.. And fast. Much like his playing style.
March 6th, 2016 at 11:11 am
Wide Receiver is the one unit that I don’t mind bringing in an aged veteran. I don’t mind having two of them on the team. Why?
Because there are 4 more spots for the young guys.
Does no one remember how good it was having Ike Hilliard and Joey Galloway on the team? We still had plenty of room for young guys (of course, all our young guys sucked!)
I could even accept one spot on running backs going to an aged vet.
March 6th, 2016 at 11:16 am
Kevin Says
“We are fine at reciever right now holy hell. Roddy white is old and is having trouble staying healthy.”
That is not one bit true. You should check your facts before presenting them.
White played all 16 games last year. He only missed 2 games the year before.
So in the past 2 years he played 30 of 32 games.
How is that “having trouble staying healthy”???????
March 6th, 2016 at 11:19 am
Humphries did well enough in spot duty last season to have earned a long look in camp. I’ve got a soft spot for UDFA’s who play their way on to a roster and then actually make enough plays to stay on it.
Both Brate and Humphries were most pleasant surprises last year.
March 6th, 2016 at 11:21 am
Mike Johnson Says
“Please… …Don’t bring in this washed up vet. His best days are way behind him. He’s had his run.”
Wow.
This is almost exactly what people here said about Drew Brees in 2006.
Contrary to what some people think, not all WRs are starters. Quality depth is important. White as a 3rd WR would make him the best WR we’ve got after Jackson and Evans.
March 6th, 2016 at 11:24 am
Brate and Humphriesonly had a couple or few good plays each.
That doesn’t make them special.
Here’s my thought on WR on the depth chart after Jackson and Evans…ALL of them are beneath the standard we need in Tampa.
ALL. OF. THEM.
We need better players. We need to stop with the mentality that “such-and-such” is “okay”. We need better than “okay.”
If there is a chance to upgrade any spot on this team…we should take it.
March 6th, 2016 at 11:32 am
With plenty of cap space….to me it makes more sense to bring in a faster/younger #3 WR…..
I don’t think that White fits that mold….now….having him as a # 4
March 6th, 2016 at 11:50 am
What about Nate Chandler?…Been reading elsewhere that the Bucs have interest in him..
March 6th, 2016 at 11:53 am
BB…everything Mike Johnson says usually garners a “wow”.
March 6th, 2016 at 12:18 pm
I saw a short feature on BHSN yesterday about Roddy being available. Looks can be deceiving, but that guy looked old and out of shape. I say pass on him and bring in someone younger from whatever means necessary.
March 6th, 2016 at 1:55 pm
Nole on Sat.-Bucc on Sun. Says:
March 6th, 2016 at 10:51 am
In the wise words of LVD(Travis Benjamin) get this guy here.. And fast. Much like his playing style.
Fast is right…what LVD wants, he should get..and they have history…
March 6th, 2016 at 4:38 pm
BuccannerBonzai..My bad. You are so right man. Lets bring in washed up Roddy White. Another beat down vet for the Physical therapy table. After all, he can kick it with his former Atlanta coaches while collecting a fat salary for say..8 catches on the year. Might as well. Its the..Bucccaneer way baby!
March 6th, 2016 at 4:39 pm
Roddy without Martin, shouldn’t even be considered. Roddy is a heck of a downfield blocker and still a reliable receiver, the only problem would be next year you replacing two receivers, unless they add another, i.e., Benjamin, Sanu, Jones, Matthews, Kearse
March 6th, 2016 at 5:50 pm
Tampabaybucfan Says
“With plenty of cap space….to me it makes more sense to bring in a faster/younger #3 WR…..
I don’t think that White fits that mold….now….having him as a # 4”
There are for spots behind Evans and Jackson.
Why can’t we do both???
March 6th, 2016 at 5:51 pm
@Mike Johnson
Must be nice living in your world of make believe.
March 6th, 2016 at 6:56 pm
baccaneerBonzai..It is. But looks like YOU and a few desparate fans are already there joining me. Wishin, Hopin. Prayin..Our Bucs can relinguish their..cheapo ways. Pretty soon we (Bucs) will be the retirement camp for ex ATL coaches and Players. They could/did not get in done in Atlanta. What in the hell makes you delusional fans think they will get it done here? Ohhh I know…You’re trippin hard..
March 6th, 2016 at 9:50 pm
Mike Johnson…That sounds like a Rich McKay revenge scenario. Let me add one to that wishin, hopin, prayin and thinkin.