AJC > Sports > Falcons > Blog > Archives > 2007 > September > 20
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Is Roddy White coming around?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It could be the fact that it’s the first home game, it could be the arrival of quarterback Byron Leftwich, it could be that the players feel ultra-confident in the game plan for Sunday’s home opener against Carolina.
Whatever is going on, players are more jovial and loose than they’ve been in the days leading up to season-opening losses at Minnesota and Jacksonville, respectively. How that translates on the field is all that matters but the atmosphere is vastly different than it has been.
One of the things that has gone overlooked with all of the Falcons’ offensive woes has been the emergence of wide receiver Roddy White. White has a team-high eight catches for 110 yards, which is more yardage than any player has generated other than quarterback Joey Harrington.
Though his history of drops could prove his quick start to be a mirage, White is playing with confidence for the first time. How can you tell? He’s snatching balls in traffic, he’s attacking his routes and he’s making tough runs after the catch.
Could you say that about him before?
He’s become such a threat that he said Jacksonville and Minnesota threw bracket coverages at him in the second halves, limiting him to just one catch. He said this is the first time since college he’s had to learn to work through double coverages regularly.
In other developments Thursday, free safety Chris Crocker (bone bruise, knee) took the majority of the snaps with the first defense ahead of Jimmy Williams and he resumed his role at nickel back. Tackle Wayne Gandy (hamstring) also took a heavy dose of snaps and coach Bobby Petrino said he’s hopeful Gandy would be ready for Sunday.
Georgia rookie tight end Martrez Milner is going to play a lot at tight end and at H-back since Dwayne Blakley suffered a pectoral injury that is not expected to be healed in time for him to play vs. Carolina.
