Roddy White's HUGE payday.

by xen-cuts on Aug 9, 2009 11:04 AM CDT Comment 15 comments

Roddy White just got a huge payday following a one week holdout. For vets a short holdout like White's is more of a rest. But the payout is the big news. Reportedly, White is now the second highest paid receiver behind Larry Fitzgerald! That's INSANE!!! White has received a six-year, $50 million contract with $18.6 million in guaranteed money. He should make around $28 million in the first 3 years of that contract.

White caught 88 passes for 1,382 yards and seven touchdowns last season. "We're always going to be an organization that rewards players for being productive on the field and good citzens off of it," said Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff. "We are glad to get this contract situation resolved and look forward to a long association with Roddy."
Roddy is a former UAB Blazer. I attended UAB for a while and enjoy supporting that school (after LSU of course.) I'm happy for Roddy. But how can this affect the Saints?

The obvious answer is that Colston may need to get paid more than Roddy White. But Colston's stats from last season, 47 catches, 760 yards, and 5 TDs, do not compare favorably with White's. If Colston has one breakout year this year, White sets a precedent for Colston to hold out and ask for even more money.

On the other hand, overpaying Roddy White might bog down the Atlanta Falcons's payroll so that after their elite tight end, Gonzales, and White, the talent dropoff is dramatic. A quick look at the Falcoholic page suggests that after their top two receivers, the rest are still vying for position. "Now that White's in camp, he'll resume his spot atop the depth chart, which leaves the Falcons to shake out things at the lower levels. " The money, much of it wrapped up in performance bonuses, could nevertheless create problems for Atlanta down the line.

Falcoholic does not think the expenditure is too high: "Obviously, this was a deal that had to get done so we could have our best receiver in camp, particularly after we lost Harry Douglas for the year and our depth took an enormous hit. While the length of the contract is pretty staggering, White's still quite young and the guaranteed money involved is nothing that's going to break the bank. If Roddy puts up huge numbers and racks up bonuses like it's going out of style, I don't think any of us are going to mind paying him. I'll chip in ten bucks myself."

He has a good point because IF White can make those same numbers alongside Gonzales, then the Falcons's offense should be rolling along quite well. But last year the dropoff after Roddy White was quite dramatic. And none of Roddy's highlight reel shows him making spectacular grabs. The guy is a #2 receiver maquerading as a #1. White reminds me of Devry Hendersen of 2008--he is fast and he doesn't drop too many passes. And if Gonzales can draw more coverage perhaps White can get open more often this year.

But think about this: where is Roddy White in your fantasy draft? He's not even close to the top in mine. The Falcons surprised some people last year and they added a big weapon in the offseason. But I think that Gonzales's glamour might take away from the workman like atmosphere surrounding last year's receiving corps (which, let's face it, was carried by the running game.)

Ultimately, Gonzales is a much bigger name than White. Gonzales is used to being #1 in the locker room. Gonzales should command a lot of attention from the QB...not just from opposing defenses. Although Gonzales has never been a big ball hog in the mold of Terrell Owens, I do not see this contract working out in favor of Atlanta. It is just too much money for mediocrity. According to the Falcoholic fanpage, when asked whether White's contract is worth it, most Falcon's fans are not overly enthusiastic about the deal.

As with all holdouts, the Falconer sums it up nicely: "As you can probably tell, I'm just relieved this situation is over."
Now, can we get Jenkins into camp before our beloved Saints are left to lament the loss of an entire draft class?

citation link: Falcoholic article on Roddy White's big payday

This FanPost was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.

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Congrats

White’s one of the top up-and-coming WRs in the NFL and has done everything expected of him in a short time, all under his rookie contract. Comparatively, Colston signed a lucrative 3-year extension to his contract and his play has since tailed off considerably. While injuries have played a factor in that, they’re also something that is taken into consideration when it comes time to renegotiate. Colston has suited up for all 16 games once in three years. White is a perfect four of four. I wouldn’t consider either elite, though both are pretty damn close to knocking on that door.

As far as FF goes, I agree that Gonzalez’s signing is a reason for concern, if you’re thinking about drafting White early. Still, I’d rather be guaranteed one of Ryan’s top two targets over 16 games, than one of Brees’s top three or four. In a PPR league, it would be a lot more difficult a decision. They’re both right in the same ballpark, in terms of ADP. White (22.8) is the 7th rated WR on average. Colston (26.29) is the 10th.

Long term, I think both are right about where they should be. If you look at some of the other WRs around them, just about every one of them have concerns:

1. Larry Fitzgerald – Warner up in age, still unclear what the Cards have (or don’t have) in Leinart.
2. Andre Johnson – mediocrity at QB, has been playing at the same exceptional level for a few years now and has probably peaked.
3. Randy Moss – up in age.
4. Calvin Johnson – the jury is out on Stafford until this time next year.
5. Reggie Wayne – first season as the true go-to guy, Peyton coming off an uncharacteristically non-brilliant year.
6. Steve Smith – injuries the past three seasons, Delhomme’s very inconsistent and will likely be jettisoned in the not too distant future.
8. Anquan Boldin – perennially disgruntled, see Fitz on Warner concerns.
9. Greg Jennings – few flaws, true up-and-comer with promising young QB.

I view White and Jennings in much the same light. Colston definitely has a bright future ahead of him also, as long as both he and Brees can remain injury free, which has been an issue for both in the past.

by coldpizza on Aug 9, 2009 12:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

You know way more about football than me.

I couldn’t even name all those guys off the top of my head.

But I’d take Dwayne Bowe over White in a FF draft. And I seriously doubt that Bowe is rated higher. I guess I feel like last year was abnormally good for White. He didn’t look that amazing on film. If he does it again this year (and I hope he does unless it’s at the Saints’s expense) then I’ll have to admit that the guy is solid. For a while there I thought ATL might cut him because he didn’t seem all that productive. Now I blame Mike Vick for that…. ;)

by xen-cuts on Aug 9, 2009 8:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like Bowe, too

he’s not far below those guys I mentioned. I think he’ll have a better year than last, considering Tyler Thigpen’s complete lack of experience. Not that Thigpen played badly for a rookie. I just give Cassel the first year edge, being that he had those years of mental preparation on the sidelines (not unlike Philip Rivers behind Brees in San Diego) and one of the best OCs out there in Josh McDaniels. He also seems a little more disciplined a passer, in terms of staying in the pocket. Thigpen is more of an ad-lib artist. Santonio Holmes seems like a real up-and-comer, also.

by coldpizza on Aug 9, 2009 9:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Santonio was solid on my FF team last year.

That guy does seem poised to break out. He’s doing what Devrey needs to do.

by xen-cuts on Aug 10, 2009 6:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, look at his colleagues

There just aren’t that many (in their prime) “Jerry Rice- Marvin Harrison- Larry Fitzgerald – level” receivers right now, but that will change pretty soon. But White looks like he is among the NFL’s elite. I think it’s more realistic to look at that contract as a $28 million contract more than a $50 million

by Philinwood on Aug 9, 2009 12:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I tend to agree with you.

I hope my writing was somewhat read-able.

by xen-cuts on Aug 9, 2009 8:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

the problem is

that one good year can give you alot of money. Colston has been consistent for 3 years now(barring the thumb injury). I don’t think anyone is saying he’s not good but i think alot of ppl underappreciate him. I won’t say he’s up there in the league of Fitzgerald, Moss, Andre Johnson, Smith, and Wayne but I’d put him beside Jennings, Boldin, and Calvin Johnson. They’re all still around the same years of experience as Colston(except maybe Boldin) and have put up good numbers when not hurt. Colston is underrated because Brees spreads the ball around so much. Besides last year, the guy has caught everything thrown his way. He has hands of glue. Over 3 seasons, he has 3000 yards including his injury plagued one last year. He missed 2 games in 06 and 5 in 08 with the thumb injury. He also has 24 TDs, which averages out to 8 a year and again, that inclues last year. He was coming off 11 TDs in 07 and 1200 yards. Don’t tell me he can’t be explosive b/c his longs for each year are 86, 45, and 70. Also, he moves the chains. 150 1st downs over 3 years is 50 each year. 73.2 yards a game over his career. Greg Jennings has less total yards, less yards a game, less 1st downs, and the same amount of TDs over the same amount of time. Roddy White has 1 extra year, 536 yards more, 5 1st downs more, 8 less TDs and less yards a game. CJ has about 900 yards less, 8 TDs less, 60 less 1st downs, and a lower yards per game average but Colston has been around for 1 year longer. Last year was a breakout year for CJ whereas his first year was a little less than mediocre. Boldin’s been around longer than all these guys but his career yard per game is 81, only 8 more than Colston and over the past 3 seasons has had about the 100 more yards receiving than him, 2 more 1st downs, and the same amount of TDs but he has missed 8 games over those 3 seasons compared to Colston’s 7. Andre Johnson has a 74.2 yards a game average, one more than Colston, and over the past 3 seasons has around 500 more yards receiving, 3 less TDs, and about 25 more first downs but has missed 7 games. Would I rather have Johnson right now? Yes, I would right now b/c he’s at the peak of his playing years while Colston still probably has 2 or 3 more years possibly before he starts peaking. Alot of ppl will say that most of it’s a product of Brees but I think he could do it with anyone, especially if he was the only good receiver. Moore, Meachem, and Henderson are a solid group of WRs for #2-4 and Meachem could be battling for a #1 spot somewhere else like Tennesseel. I just hope that everyone appreciates how good he really is compared to other players. I’d say he’s the #1 up and coming WR. If you read all of this, you’re a good guy lol. i know it’s alot, sry.

Superbowl bound!!!...I hope? Go Saints! :D

by skinnykinney on Aug 10, 2009 4:22 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

By the numbers Colston deserves more $$$

I just figured that with White now getting big money, and him being a rival receiver who is clearly not as talented as Colston, the Saints are going to have to fork over some money. That means other big $$$ players for the Saints (Charles Grant, etc.) will have to go. We NEED our rookies to step up and stop getting injured.

by xen-cuts on Aug 10, 2009 6:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They already did

He just renegotiated his contract last July and was given a three year extension through 2011 based on his production. What has he done since to merit another increase? I don’t think you have to worry about Colston for at least another couple of seasons.

by coldpizza on Aug 10, 2009 8:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lol, is it wrong that I'm already pre-worried?

I’m a dumbass. What can I say?!

by xen-cuts on Aug 10, 2009 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

my 2 cents

the reason the contract isn’t obsurd, is because though he is holding the second highest contract for WRs this season, all he has managed to do is set a precedent. The guy is only 27 years old and now locked up until he is 33. The Falcons had a little bit more cap room to play with this season and if White performs, then come next season after all the other top WRs in the league start getting their new contracts, his won’t be so phenomenal for a top 10 tier WR.

The small amount of guarnteed money also makes it so that he doesn’t make a large hit on our cap room in years to come. At any point, if the guy fails to perform or the Falcons feel they can do better, cutting him or trading him won’t be a huge cap hit – thus, forcing him to continue to perform.

In all fairness, Fitzgerald has a 4 year contract that has him stacked with 30mill in guaranteed. It is a very different contract than White’s… even if the “yearly salary” numbers seem to dictate otherwise.

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

by MentallyMIA on Aug 10, 2009 8:00 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

completely agree

The upper tier dollars will continue to increase, while he’s already locked in. If Roddy White money now is still Top 10 by the time his current contract expires, I’ll be very surprised. Unless he completely falls off the map, I can’t see how this is a bad move by the Falcons. Even then, contracts themselves aren’t guaranteed. Cut him, eat the prorated signing bonus and move on. For a guy of his age and potential, I see absolutely nothing wrong with locking him up. Those are the kinds of players every team looks for.

by coldpizza on Aug 10, 2009 8:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rec'd

Gotta have my reader’s back.

To be sure, though, this contract looks a lot better when you consider that it’s only $18 million guaranteed over six years. If he wants the rest of it, he’s going to have to perform very well, and if he does I certainly don’t mind paying the man his money.

by Dave the Falconer on Aug 10, 2009 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ha ha, awesome!

yeah, i’m starting to see it as a good deal for ole White and the ATL.

by xen-cuts on Aug 10, 2009 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with coldpizza

Roddy’s going to be happy about the huge numbers on this contract, but I think the team’s gotta be pretty happy too. 6 years with only $18.6M guaranteed?

I know I’m a Falcons fan, here on a Saints site – but I’ve got to take an issue with the “clearly not as talented as Colston” line. Obviously, his (Roddy) first two years were awful. But he’s now had 2 staight years of 1200+ yards, including the 2007 season where he was catching passes from Chris Redman, Byron Leftwich, and Mr. John Joseph Harrington (not exactly an elite group of passers). His numbers are held down a little, being in a run-first offense (and Colston’s are boosted a little with the pass-heavy offense). The one area he seems to be lacking compared to other “elite” receivers is in the Red Zone. His 7 TD’s last year was his career high.

It’s hard for me to compare to say who is “better”, though. They are just different. Colston seems more like a “possession” guy, with the big body to go over the middle and get tough yards, when needed. Roddy is more of a deep threat (but as #1 guys, they’re both doing a little of everything). Personally, I’d put Roddy and Colston both in the group of guys (with Jennings, Calvin Johnson, etc) that will be near the top of the league for the next several years…

by orang3b on Aug 10, 2009 11:09 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs