Roddy White apologizes to the fans on Twitter
Roddy White reacts to making a first down catch after returning to the game. Curtis Compton / ccompton@ajc.com
FLOWERY BRANCH – Falcons wide receiver Roddy White apologized to the fans via his twitter.com account on Sunday.
He wrote, “I want to apologize to all the falcon fans for our horrible performance last night it was not good and I’m sorry”
White turned in one of the best season in NFL history.
He led the league with 115 catches and set a new franchise mark for most catches in a season.
But after the game, he was terribly disappointed.
“You always think about your legacy and you’re judged by what you do in the postseason,” said White, who caught six passes for 57 yards. “I haven’t done anything yet. So we have to prepare ourselves for next year.”
The four turnovers jolted the offense out of sync.
“They came up with crucial turnovers when they needed them and they kept us out of the end zone,” White said. “After they got ahead, they kind of came after us a little bit. They blitzed us. We really couldn’t do anything. We had to throw the ball in the flats and things like that”
–D. Orlando Ledbetter
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262 comments Add your comment
DunwoodyFalcon
January 17th, 2011
3:14 pm
Well I apologize for screaming and yelling at Falcons and the fans sitting down on GB 3rd down plays, was pathetic. I also apologize for leaving in the 3rd Q, only time all season I left early, but the team was long gone by then
FACTS
January 17th, 2011
3:15 pm
The one time Jenkins actually had a couple of steps on his defender, Matty didn’t pull the trigger quick enough, that was a 14 point swing turnover. You cannot miss your opportunities too crush a teams confidence in the playoffs, because Green Bay didn’t miss theirs!
falconsphysco
January 17th, 2011
3:16 pm
Thanks for being classy Roddy. That’s why I proudly wear your jersey. Now the other 52 on the active roster and coaching staff need to apologize and give the ticket holders a refund.
MR.true fan
January 17th, 2011
3:19 pm
the good boy system will allways keep brain around he has been washed up for years with the falcons please dont resighn him back the falocns need to or moss we will not win superbowls with church guys go get some real players matt got to learn how to throw the deep ball he will never be brady but he has the talent to win a superbowl cut harry and dont sign brian back that wr washed up for the last 5 years
james
January 17th, 2011
3:20 pm
Roddy continues to be a true professional. Let’s help Roddy help the Falcons offense by working on the defensive side of the ball through trades and the Draft. The best way to help Roddy make a winner out of this team is to keep guys like Aaron Rodgers on the sideline.
Bobby Cox
January 17th, 2011
3:20 pm
Congrats Coach White!
I love me some division pennants . . .
mokha099
January 17th, 2011
3:22 pm
look push off decides to apologize. you said one thing that i agree with. your success as an athlete is judged by what you do when it counts—the post season…. and you and the team have done nothing! way to go in admitting that… that’s step one.
next. instead of hating on the Saints and calling then aints, maybe you can learn from them. They won it all… and that is all that matters. you got embarrassed in your own house. Stop talkin $%&* and win first.
Remember, it does not matter what anyone feels or says, The Saints ARE SB CHAMPS and the falcons are not.
Cowboys
January 17th, 2011
3:22 pm
dont pee on my leg and tell its raining sorry falcons slogan
da dirtiest bird
January 17th, 2011
3:23 pm
We should go get Sidney Rice. He is a free agent and an SEC kid from S.C. so I bet he’d love to leave Limn and come back closer to home. We also need a change of pace RB who is a threat to take it to da house every time he touches the ball.
On D we need another starting DE opposite Abe. We also need CB depth. Mostly the young players we have on D need to get better a mature. An aggressive game plan by B.V.G. like the game he called vs the aints would help as well. I know we wont fire any coordinators after a 13-3 season. Bit if I were T.D. I would let MM go if I could get josh mcdaniels. He is a brilliant innovative offensive mind.
james
January 17th, 2011
3:24 pm
Trade up in the Draft and lets keep A.J. Green in black and red! I wanna have a chance to buy his Falcons jersey before everyone else does!
Ted
January 17th, 2011
3:24 pm
“White turned in one of the best season in NFL history.”
copy editor, please
kd
January 17th, 2011
3:25 pm
Roddy, you are right to apologize. That was a most pathetic team effort, and all should be blamed from the coaches all the way down to the bench.
What was clear from Saturday night is that 1) our offense isn’t as good as we thought we were, 2) defense was COMPLETELY exposed and needs better impact players (ala Clay M), 3) our DBs are totally overwhelmed by bigger, quicker receivers, 4) on this night, we got out-coached
Lessons learned, anyone? For the 2011-12 campaign, you better bolster the defensive line, get some bigger, more physical DBs, get another game-breaking receiver and drop Jenkins, and improve the game planning. That is the only way the Falcons will get back to the playoffs with any hopes of moving beyond the first round….
Psychiatrist
January 17th, 2011
3:25 pm
falconsphysco,
I hope you are 12 years old. A grownup “proudly wearing” a jersey with another man’s name on the back is disturbing.
Let me get my butterfly net.
Greg Moundine
January 17th, 2011
3:29 pm
D. Orlando Ledbetter, I do not understand. Atlanta can get T.O. for as little or nothing. Really, think about this. T.O. have been great on teams until they D. Cordns. figure to double him and of course this frustrates him. Just like New Orleans and GB did against Turner and R.White. They frustrated them. But if you had threat of T.O. and R. White. Gonzalez and Jenkins in slot ATL will create mismatches for Defenses. Look at New England game. Coach B is better coach, but Jets coach knew he had better Defense. If a team see you twice or on film, you can’t run old school way. Tell me this. When do Falcons run screen plays, toss or reverses..Never. You have to mix it up. Like one of the problems I saw in Turner was he was to close to line when taking he handoff and could not get speed up. He was more concern of losing ball and tipped toed to get through line. Keep Norwood as well. He is that change speed back, but he must not be like MJD, injured prone. Lastly, GO GET T.O.
Falcons
January 17th, 2011
3:32 pm
I am a NY Giants fan but I think Falcon fans are being shortsighted. At the end of the day, you have to acknowledge they had a great season that ended too early. The Falcons ran into a hot team and made the task more difficult by playing one of their worse games of the year. There is a lot to look forward to. By the way, both #1 seeds in the playoffs went home early.
bat
January 17th, 2011
3:32 pm
i heard that waffle house has a new sandwich,its called the (matty melt).
Greg Moundine
January 17th, 2011
3:36 pm
GT, it will work. You have to take chances. Our hearts are torn, it can’t be torn anymore.
take it from me.
January 17th, 2011
3:39 pm
Falcons fan since 1966.can’t nobody tell me nothing about the Alanta Falcons! The 1980 game was a heart breaker, this years falcons playoff game hurts, but not as much as 1980! The 2010 falcons were a lot like the 1980 team as they both can’t stop anybody with their corner play. See i’ve kinda learned to live with that loss in 1980 we were suppost to win and didn’t.Thats how it is when your a falcons fan,you come to expect the worst! maybe MR,Blank will one day get this thing fixed, maybe not in my lifetime, or his,but maybe someday! Go Falcons
ATL Fan
January 17th, 2011
3:39 pm
Vent time:
Is it too early to put P. Jerry in the “bust” column? Is he another JA98?
We need to get the defensive push up the middle; wasn’t that what we were going to get with Jerry?
Who is the better conrnerback: Brent Grimes or Dunta Robinson?
It was great to see Weems get into the endzone.
Tim
January 17th, 2011
3:39 pm
Too bad he couldn’t have tweeted out a few touchdowns, a defense and a running game on Saturday night.
Tia
January 17th, 2011
3:41 pm
We don’t want nor need diva’s on our team. We do need some playmakers. The offense needs some attention but our secondary needs some addressing. I am hesitant to call Dunta a bust yet since he may just need some maturing in our defense. If the CBA is negotiated soon or if the NFL decides to play by the 2010 agreement, go out and secure Nnamdi Asomugha. He is a great corner and fits in with they type of guy that Dimitroff/Smith like in regards to character. Sure up the other end of defense end position opposite of Jonathan Abraham. Offense, I agree–move Jenkins to the slot. Is there a Dez Bryant talent in the draft that may fall to us? We are just a few pieces away from true dominance. It is going to be monster getting Jerious Norwood back. We are headed in the right direction and I don’t see us taking a step back.
just sayin
January 17th, 2011
3:42 pm
two picks
January 17th, 2011
1:36 pm
Ryan’s two picks changed the entire atmosphere of the game. Once down, our defense was exposed. We need more talent and depth on that side of the ball. Owens will be gone.
The first pick was on Jenkins. Rogers threw the same pass to Jones and it was a TD. Of course, Jones didn’t fall down until after he made the catch.
Falcons need 1) more push on the D line. 2) a speed burner at WR. 3) another nickel DB. 4) a speed back to compliment Turner.
bird36
January 17th, 2011
3:42 pm
everybody will be hurt next yr . hard to go 2 yrs in a row healthy. we had our chance and we pissed on it.
AlanFalcon
January 17th, 2011
3:45 pm
The time has come for the Atlanta Falcons fan base to grow up and learn how to support the team, believe me, to a man they know as a group and individually just how bad they played yet to a man they have not thrown blame on any of their team mates, they have accepted it as a team effort and as they have for the pass three years they will move on and learn from the lost.
IF YOU THINK OUR LOST WAS SO BAD THINK ABOUT WHAT THE JETS DID TO NEW ENGLAND AND IF NOT BADLY MISTAKEN THEY ARE A PROVEN CHAMPIONSHIP CALIBER TEAM, we are fighting and learning to be of that caliber, with a solid fan base that understands that on any given Sunday-well enough said, IF YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND GO PULL FOR SOME OTHER TEAM, NO, TAMPA OR CAROLINA.
just sayin
January 17th, 2011
3:47 pm
Falcons
January 17th, 2011
3:32 pm
I am a NY Giants fan but I think Falcon fans are being shortsighted. At the end of the day, you have to acknowledge they had a great season that ended too early. The Falcons ran into a hot team and made the task more difficult by playing one of their worse games of the year. There is a lot to look forward to. By the way, both #1 seeds in the playoffs went home early.
Agreed. And don’t forget the how crazy this year was with the Falcons hosting the 6th seeded Pack, who many believe is the best team in the league. If we had faced the Seahawks, we would be talking about how to stop the Packers. But with the experience of a playoff win under our belt. Tough luck for the Falcons while the Bears got to hold a live scrimmage against another team…
Blood& Guts
January 17th, 2011
3:49 pm
The present coaching staff has been here what 3 years and they started without a starting QB not much of an offense or defense and they brought this team to this kind of season. What are you fans bitching about. This team was in ruins just a few years ago. Good things to come
fansince74
January 17th, 2011
3:53 pm
Worse than the loss on Sat evening is the attitude of some of you ’so called’ fans. A lot of you are spewing such rude things out of your mouth and you don’t even know what you are talking about.
Tia
January 17th, 2011
3:54 pm
…Sidney Rice a free agent? Very intriguing. Regardless of what the new cap is, Blank and McKay have positioned us nicely, financially, to bring in talent that we need, both bit players and playmakers.
To the “support Atlanta unless playing GB”: So your complaint is Falcons fans are proud of our team and wanted everyone to know how wonderful we were? That we wanted our team to be respected? If that is the best you can do, were you ever really supporting Falcons that something so inconsequential would make you turn? And whoever heard of supporting a team because of their fans? I have Saints fans as friends who can’t stand many of their fellow fans because of their obnoxiousness but that isn’t making them support their team any less. Got other GB fans calling me and sending FB messages saying they like how the city is galvanized behind the Falcons even if they were tired of hearing our bravado. That is what being a FAN is about.
eric mullins
January 17th, 2011
3:59 pm
Falcon since 1978 writes – was the 48th point necessary? What were the Packers to do? Go for it on fourth down? Then you’d be saying going for it on fourth was not necessary and rubbing it in. Gee whiz dude.
realiteezy
January 17th, 2011
4:04 pm
hang in there roddy!! Belichek or Tomlin will get you outta here soon!! you’re goin places!! you shud be playin with the likes of BRANCH, HOLMES,RANDLE EL, GRADKOWSKI,etc… face it, how far will u reLly get with Gettin old Gonzo, Douglass the scared & broke knee Dwarf, and ‘jus another WR Jenkins??? dont fool yurself, DEMAND A TRADE or at least stay ‘open’. Defense improved A LITTLE but cut dead weight:owens,abe,ludakris (i mean jamal),,,,Grimes, luv ya game, but all yr commentators praised yur effort even when guys scored over you, but yur size takes you out the play ESP WHEN IT REALLY COUNTS…so holla at u too!! the franchise WILL SLIDE BACKWARDS for 2011…othr teams will be better, harder schedule, and last but. ot leazt ghe Falcons dont draft or recruit TO WIN.
joe
January 17th, 2011
4:06 pm
I thought because Atlanta endured that terrible snow storm that paralized the city that God was going to give them a superbowl victory so the city wouldn’t fall apart. I guess not. Dont talk trash before you’ve done something worthy of it, Roddy.
ShineHead
January 17th, 2011
4:08 pm
This was just one loss. A bad loss but look at the big picture. The team has an owner that gives a damn, three consecutive winning seasons, and good players/staff. Who would have predicted this so soon after the MV debacle? The NFC South is becoming one of the most competitive divisions and the Falcons are hanging tough. I’m pulling for the Packers to take the championship. Any team that beats my Falcons like that MUST be the best team in the NFL.
E
January 17th, 2011
4:09 pm
Roddy thanks for the apology but that showing was terrible by so call “professional football players which the term itself is overrated. I have never in my life seen so many so called professionals display “VERY POOR” techniques when it comes to catching the ball, tackling, etc which is basic things learned on the pop warner level. As a long time falcon fan and season ticket holder I am truely tired of getting all hyped up and let down time after time and players telling the media “we will build on this for next year” and the next thing you know ten years have passed.
Falcons needs: Running backs with speed due to Atlanta really having all full backs that lacks speed; Wr’s with speed to spread the field; pass rushers and someone to give a push up front; real DB’s that can challenge and break up passes; etc. One of the final issues is that the Falcons do not draft well because their picks never pan out or make a good impact on the team. Last year they could have got Dez Bryant but they took Witherspoon who never made a direct impact.
itpdude
January 17th, 2011
4:10 pm
Matty Meltdown should be sorry.
WHO DAT IN MY A$$
January 17th, 2011
4:14 pm
Oh it’s just you Drew….Let me take off my Skinny Jeans………
jcolin
January 17th, 2011
4:16 pm
and they should never pay Sevendust again for a theme song.. i solely attribute the loss to that.
mike
January 17th, 2011
4:18 pm
This was a team that could have just as easily been 9-7 as 13-3. And we were matched up with the NFC West this year.
1. Garrett Hartley’s missed 29 yard fg in OT vs NO
2. Nate Clements fumbles interception instead of going to ground, and SF runs out clock.
3. Roddy White offensive pass interference not called on winning TD vs. Baltimore
4. Aaron Rogers fumbles t goal line in 21st GB game.
Though this year was better than last, and with the right improvements made over te off season, this can be an even better team next year.
Biggest needs; (assuming TG comes back)
1. Another WR to take heat of off Roddy White (Plaxico Burress does get out of jail this spring)
2. A solid left tackle, Sam Baker is not the guy, move him inside to guard, too slow.
3. Another speed rush DE to compliment Abraham
4. Another fast LB, Mike Peterson’s better days are behind him
5. An impact safety, who flies around, makes big hits and int’s. Doesn’t have to be Palomalo or Ed Reed, just try to play like they do.
6. If TG does retire, another TE.
two picks
January 17th, 2011
4:19 pm
Ryan was late on the pick where Jenkins fell down. And, not only late but a lofter under thrown. Yeah, if Jenkins doesn’t fall down maybe it’s not a pick but the ball should have been there earlier and harder.
If you look at the first half, we did not have a problem moving the ball on GB. Of course they didn’t have a problem moving the ball on us either. 3rd and 13 on that first series coming out in the second half killed our defense. After that, the defensive team rolled over. The offense played, but GB could be as aggressive as they wanted on D as they had a 21 point lead.
Shame on all of you 3Q early exits. This is our team and I stayed until the bitter end.
My offseason moves:
Offense:
Speed back (I don’t trust Norwood’s health)
O-line depth
H Douglass (depends on his play 2009 = keep, 2010 = trade)
Defense:
D-Line need someone mean/nasty – a game changer
I have question marks with Jerry and Sidbury
Linebackers – depth and speed
Dbacks – another starter and speed
Danny G
January 17th, 2011
4:20 pm
It is about time someone apologized. Don’t tell me I should not criticize the Falcons. I have been a fan since day 1 of the Falcons. It is my right to be unhappy with another lack luster performance by our team. We need someone to be accountable and we need this fixed now. Atlanta fans have been teased long enough. Mr. Blank. Build a team that gets us there or sell the team and let someone else try. Also Mr. Blank. Get off the side line in your $4000.00 suits or at least dress like you are on a football field. We know you are rich. Dress down for christ sake. Show Atlanta that the Falcons know what happened and make the changes in the off season.
jcatl
January 17th, 2011
4:20 pm
Roddy you’ve played solid all season and can only catch the balls that are thrown to you. You were not the problem Saturday night, coaching, QB and a defense who would give up plays to college teams were.
Tia
January 17th, 2011
4:21 pm
@ E
The difference in this and the other years is this: when the team says they are improving guess what? They actually are. There is no reason that this team after three years should be where they are. Dismal performance. I was as sick as anyone during the game. And yet I have hope because for the 1st time in franchise history (no not the winning records) we are showing growth. As much as I would have liked it, you don’t turn around 40+ years of mismanagement and poor decisions. Our team has played (with the exception of Saturday’s fluke) hard for us the past three years. Let’s show them we appreciate the effort instead of defining them by one horrible night.
Gamer
January 17th, 2011
4:22 pm
RODDY BEEN A BEAST OF RECEIVER ALL SEASON LONG…HE NEED ANOTHER STAND-UP WIDEOUT OPPOSITE HIM…A TRUE #2 WIDEOUT TO STRETCH THE FIELD AT ANYTIME..
JENKINS SHOULD SLIDE TO SLOT-RECEIVER…
GM DIMITROFF GO GET THAT WIDEOUT….MR. BLANK CHECKBOOK IS AT DISPOSAL…
GO FALCONS…RELOAD FOR NEXT SEASON
dudefly
January 17th, 2011
4:23 pm
Heading to the car after the regular season game that the Falcons won against Green Bay, all I heard was cheese this and cheese that and how great the Falcons are, blah, blah, blah. Well arrogant,obnoxious Falcon fans, how is that Grilled Cheese tasting now? Instant Karma just got you and you deserve that butt-kicking you got from Wisconsin’s team. Win something first and then maybe you can gloat.
saintsfan44
January 17th, 2011
4:24 pm
hahaha FAILcons can’t even win with HOMEFIELD ADVANTAGE….I thought it was supposed to be a tought place to play.
two picks
January 17th, 2011
4:27 pm
Mike -
13-3 because:
1. We owned NO until a late drive by Brees. Yeah Hartley missed but we still had to go down the field to win.
2. Awesome play by White and Dahl (maybe the best of the season for any team). Again, still needed to go down field.
3. That’s the way wide receivers are taught – too bad the poor Raven fell down.
4. Again, we gave up a 4th and 17 for them to tie the score at the end of the 4th Q. And then a face mask prevent Weems from a TD. 60 minutes baby!
Needs:
1. I like Jenkins – though we need a speed guy – can H Douglas be that again?
2. Agree
3. What’s up with Sidbury?
4. Agree
5. I’d go with another cover corner as our safeties play well
6. Palmer/Peele is a nice combo. always good to get TE depth just ask Reeves..
Michael
January 17th, 2011
4:28 pm
It’s over now please go away until August.
ATL Fan
January 17th, 2011
4:38 pm
With the number 27 pick, the Atlanta Falcons select…
Falcon Dave
January 17th, 2011
4:41 pm
To all of you fan’s out there down on my team, even though we did not have the results we wanted or expected Saturday night we did have a good regular season. We knew all year that our defense was suspect so that means we are still in the middle of the “process” that MS and TD have been talking about. I have no doubt we will go out and get the defensive and offensive through free-agency that we need to be competitive; all of this Chicken Little talk is nonsense. THIS TEAM WILL REBOUND AND COME BACK EVEN MORE COMPETITIVE!!!!!!
take it from me.
January 17th, 2011
4:42 pm
ATL Fan——Another Bust!
take it from me.
January 17th, 2011
4:44 pm
Falcon dave —Do you know the history of the falcons?Nuf Said.