NFL Network: Roddy White Is Reaching Out
July 26th, 2016
More Roddy White talk
“I tell friends of mine all the time that Roddy White is the single-most competitive football player I’ve ever met in my life. I’ve just never been around a guy that his desire to win and compete would let him overcome injuries. He would do whatever it takes — whether it be blocking, catching, running with the football — just whatever you needed to help you win a game, Roddy would try to do it.” Dirk Koetter, via ESPN.
The above quote was reported in January, but it has a special ring to it today. So do Joe’s five reasons to sign Roddy White, as published in March:
- White played 16 games last season, and caught 43 of the 70 balls targeted his way. That catch percentage is better than what Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson each churned out.
- White will not command a lot of money.
- The Bucs’ receiving depth after Evans and Vincent Jackson consists of (for now) Louis Murphy coming off November ACL surgery, undrafted and largely ineffective Donteea Dye, Adam Humphries, Kenny Bell (zero career catches of any kind) and special teams ace Russell Shepard.
- Dirk Koetter says White is “the single most competitive football player I’ve ever met in my life.”
- Re-read No. 4
- Aside from 800+ career receptions, White is known for being a ferocious leader with an extreme work ethic. Not only could he another good mentor for Evans, he’s a vocal guy who could help take a little pressure off Jameis in that department.
NFL super insider Ian Rapoport is Twittering today that White wants to play and is in contact with a few teams. This is the time of year veterans possibly seeking too much money in free agency start to squirm and scurry, making deals with eager teams as training camp doors are set to open.
White is healthy and can still produce. It’s a fine approach to want to develop Dye, Humphries and/or Bell, but Joe would feel so much better with a guy like White in the mix competing. And what a gift he would be for America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston.
Last Joe checked, it’s still all about Jameis.
July 26th, 2016 at 11:55 am
I’m all for it Joseph! It does nothing but BENEFIT our team!
“Let’s make Tampa GREAT again!”
July 26th, 2016 at 11:55 am
Sign him ! Yesterday !
July 26th, 2016 at 11:55 am
Roddy wouldn’t be happy behind Jackson and Clayton-Evans on the depth chart.
July 26th, 2016 at 12:00 pm
Much rather have Anquan Bolden, seems like a more humble locker room presence and has a lot more left in the tank. Roddy white hasn’t been good in years. Anquan has that FSU connection, pair him with Jameis. We don’t need another outside receiver, our weakness is the slot, Anquan can do both.
July 26th, 2016 at 12:00 pm
Signing White or Boldin is needed desperately. Vjax will miss games, murphy is useless and Humphries and Bell could learn a lot more from a savy vets like White or Boldin then they ever could from a journeyman like Murphy.
July 26th, 2016 at 12:02 pm
Tbbucs3
Bucs have too many passive players especially on defense. Bucs could use all the firey passionate players they can sign.
July 26th, 2016 at 12:06 pm
Vjax = better than White. We need youth. A good qb can make decent receivers look good so lets find some decent young ones.
July 26th, 2016 at 12:09 pm
After reading Koetter’s opinion of White this could be the guy to get.
July 26th, 2016 at 12:10 pm
Boldin would be a great fit. Could show Clayton-Evans how to fight for a contested pass once in a while without whining to the refs. Can’t do much to help his butter fingers but would bring some much needed toughness to that room.
July 26th, 2016 at 12:16 pm
I’ve been pro-Roddy since the beginning of time..just hope, really hope, that Roddy will play with familiarity over the dream of being on a SB bound team this year..
July 26th, 2016 at 12:40 pm
All for getting Roddy in the door. But from everything they had on NFL Network last night he said he wants a Super Bowl contender or his is happy to just retire.
Dirk will have to do some serious selling…
July 26th, 2016 at 12:43 pm
Rowdy white is a has been not to mention slow. Good job Joe!
July 26th, 2016 at 1:00 pm
Just do it! We need the depth.
July 26th, 2016 at 1:01 pm
Reread numer 4
July 26th, 2016 at 1:13 pm
DallasBuc Says
“Roddy wouldn’t be happy behind Jackson and Clayton-Evans on the depth chart.”
I’m not so sure about that. He’s desperate to be signed now, and the #3 spot would be pretty much a starting role.
My two cents?
Sign him. He’s an aged veteran, but I’ve been saying for months that the WR position is the only spot we can afford to sign two aged vets…seeing as how we keep at least 6 WRs every year.
July 26th, 2016 at 1:14 pm
@DallasBuc
I would be fine with Bolden too (one or the other).
July 26th, 2016 at 1:19 pm
They can want to be on a SB contender team all they want to be. But a SB contender team has to want and need them. If not and they want to still play then they will have to go where they are wanted.
July 26th, 2016 at 1:48 pm
Bolden is gone. Signed with the Lions. Oh well!
July 26th, 2016 at 1:52 pm
I don’t get the group saying we don’t need this guy. Yes, youth will set us up better in the long term. Yes, a young WR will cost less. But last I checked, I don’t see any young WRs on our roster not named Evans that has the pedigree of Roddy White. Joe hit the nail on the head when he said that White can add a veteran LEADER that can help both Evans and Jameis…which, you know, is just KIND OF critical to our long-term success.
Sign Roddy. 2 years max.
July 26th, 2016 at 1:59 pm
I agree sign him and another vet WR. We need mutipal slot receivers
July 26th, 2016 at 2:04 pm
If we are concerned about age….lets bring in Lynn Swann & Jerry Rice in for a workout…..(just kidding)
Age doesn’t matter with a 1 year contract….we could use some help….the only problem we cause is limiting snaps for younger prospects…
July 26th, 2016 at 2:04 pm
There’s a reason Roddy White has not been signed – nor any other WRs. The Bucs feel confident that their young talent is developing. Humphries and Bell are going to play well when their # is called.
Good teams develop talent and trust their evaluation and coaching long enough to let young players grow into the NFL to fill their “needs” – before doing what bad teams do which is scour the scrap heap of discarded older players who are past their prime and just trying to hang onto their NFL careers for another year or two.
We already have our “bridge” receiver in VJax and in fact, couldn’t ask for a better one. Joe may have given up on Bell (they sure talk that way at least) – but I guarantee you the Bucs are expecting quite a bit out of Afro Thunder this year and IMO are likely to be rewarded for their patience. We already know that Humphries has what it takes to make plays in the NFL and he will only improve.
As long as Murphy is good to go come Sept, IMO there is absolutely nothing concerning with Evans, VJax, Murphy, Humphries, Bell and special teams ace Shepard as your receiving corp. And if another young WR like Dye or Reedy or Davis or Spencer comes on strong and grabs one of those spots instead of Murphy or Bell or Humphries, then that’s just fine as well.
Relax people – Koetter and Monken know what they are doing. If Roddy White is signed by the Bucs, it will likely be after week one when his salary is non-guaranteed.
July 26th, 2016 at 2:05 pm
Bolden skillset is much more needed to help out Jaboo on 3rd and blitze
Bolden has great strong hands to catch the ball with defenders hanging on him
plays physical and ANGRY..He is a mofo to bring down and can run after catch which is much needed…high probability routes
Defenses will be stacking the line against Jameis and Martin…we need to loosen all the defenders in the box by immediate throws to Bolden on the LOS
“Give me 30 yards and ill be open” Molasse Evans
July 26th, 2016 at 2:08 pm
I think Boldin signed one year deal with Lions.
July 26th, 2016 at 2:48 pm
Reasons #7 through #100. Roddy White is a better player than anyone the Bucs have behind VJax and Evans.
July 26th, 2016 at 3:10 pm
Boldin signed with Detroit.
July 26th, 2016 at 4:13 pm
Catch percentage huh! lol did he make any impact plays for Atlanta, last year!
I rest my case!!
July 26th, 2016 at 4:29 pm
I dont like the way things ended for White in Atlanta. We dont need recievers in Tampa complaining like that………..I dont know the whole story or am saying it would happen here but it is a red flag.
Get me Marques Colston anyways.
July 26th, 2016 at 4:47 pm
I like Roddy and the position of our team supports the efforts that it would take to sign him. Better than any receiver other than ME or possibly VJ period. Eric you have no case, no valid points only your viewpoint and everyone is entitled to that.
July 26th, 2016 at 5:58 pm
I remember watching Roddy do some wild catches a few years ago on an NFL report. His hands are wicked good. I’d sign him too, and would have sooner. He can ball and perfect for that triple threat.
July 26th, 2016 at 6:48 pm
White is on record saying he wants to play for a contender, do the Bucs fit in that category
July 26th, 2016 at 10:47 pm
Roddy wants to play for a SB contender. Once none call him, he’ll go where he can get one last contract. If Koetter/Licht want to go with last years young receivers (Dye, Humphries, Bell), Roddy could be out of a spot.
July 26th, 2016 at 11:34 pm
Much rather have Andre Johnson whom is available an would be affordable. Not to mention he was a different still I’d much better than Roddy White.
July 27th, 2016 at 2:30 am
very disappointed we didnt get Boldin, he would have been perfect.