Deadline (the other one): White’s justified if he holds out
It's easy to tell this photo is from 2008 and not 2006 because Roddy White is celebrating. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)
Since we’re about five hours from the baseball trade deadline and I hear only crickets, I wanted to weigh in on something before players are scheduled to check in tonight for Falcons training camp: Lay off Roddy White.
Honestly, of all the things I’ve anticipated writing one day, defending White’s position in contract negotiations wasn’t one of them. He wasn’t a bust in his first two NFL seasons — he was whatever is south of that. A bust is someone who was thought to be able to play but can’t. South of that is someone who can play but just seems to have brain lock or keeps tripping over his own ego.
Case in point: DeAngelo Hall.
For his first two seasons, that was White. He was lazy. He was immature. He lacked focus. He dropped passes. He had 29 passes in his first season and 30 in his second, and for a while there I wasn’t sure if the Falcons would give him a third. But he started to turn into a receiver in year three and last season he played his way into the Pro Bowl, with career highs of 88 catches, 1,382 yards (a franchise record) and seven touchdowns.
Today, Roddy White is one of the premier receivers in the NFL. Probably top 10. He wants to be paid like it. Frankly, I don’t blame him. He has a year left on his contract, and before you start pounding your keyboard with the typical response — “He’s selfish! He’s disloyal! He won’t honor his contract!” — you need to understand that NFL players live in a different world than other pro athletes. In fact, they live in a different from almost anybody. NFL contracts are not fully guaranteed.
White’s original “five-year” contract, like every NFL “five-year” contract, is really more like a series of one-year contracts. White’s original $7.3 million contract had only $4.75 million guaranteed. The Falcons could’ve dumped him after season two or three and paid him only the minimal (if any) remaining guarantee. Loyalty is a two-way street.
I’m not debating the NFL’s system — the players union accepts that in the Collective Bargaining Agreement so I’m not going to argue. But you can’t expect a player to NOT debate his value with time left on his contract when ownership does the same thing after every season.
Given the way the Falcons have operated under owner Arthur Blank, I have little doubt the team will take care of White. But if the receiver chooses to hold out when training camp opens Saturday in Flowery Branch, I wouldn’t have a problem with it. Withholding services is his only leverage. He should use it.
Because if the Falcons dumped White two years ago and didn’t pay him the remaing $2.55 million left on his contract, nobody would’ve said a word.
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136 comments Add your comment
NotAgain
July 31st, 2009
5:07 pm
I’ll play for half of whatever he gets!
SL3
July 31st, 2009
5:07 pm
Roddy can ask for a raise, but he has a contract and should honor it. Let’s see if he can stay healthy and produce similar stats another year.
Chea
July 31st, 2009
5:08 pm
Mr. Schultz, this article is the truth and nothing but. There is no such thing as a player dishonoring his contract by holding out. The contract says that he’ll get paid if he does X; if he doesn’t do X he won’t. Looks like he’s not doing X, which is perfectly fine as long as he’s not getting paid.
People forget the those who sign the player’s checks are plenty, PLENTY, rich themselves, and each player is in a locker room is surrounded by others with whom he can compare his compensation. Not to mention the other players in the league.
Does anybody here like producing more than other people at work and getting paid far less?
Didn’t think so.
Bad News
July 31st, 2009
5:25 pm
Redskins
Dolphins
Vikings
Steelers
Patriots
What do these teams have in common?
They all were playoff teams and one won the superbowl.
Know what else they all have in common?
They all were/are chasing the great Mike Vick – not bad for a glorified running back who hasn’t played since 2006
Hey Matty Ice – can your sorry worthless over rated slow footed weak armed choke please win one single game this year? Pretty please
Bad News
July 31st, 2009
5:26 pm
Oh forgot to mention the Ravens – my bad.
Ran out of playoff teams
Eric P.
July 31st, 2009
5:29 pm
Observer-you’re on the wrong blog. The far-right bulls**t is over on the political side. Thanks for playing, though. Try football next time, loser.
David
July 31st, 2009
6:11 pm
I just do not agree with holding out. I say play for the contract that is already on the table. It is only one year. You can make your next contract the big one! I am a teacher and sign a contract every year. I never hold out wanting more money because my student’s test scores are so much better than other teachers. Plus, I just got three paid days taken away from me. I am just happy to have a job!!! These people need to see the real world!!!
Observer
July 31st, 2009
6:21 pm
Eric P. – There was absolutely nothing said in my post that was the least bit political. As for your contention that I’m a loser, I will yield to you as the resident authority on losers. That is a subject you obviously know quite a bit about. Now, why don’t you take your own advice and try football next time.
Gray Mule
July 31st, 2009
6:21 pm
There’s two sides to the question.
Sure, he wants more $$$. Don’t we all.
He signed a contract. This contract guarantees the Falcons he will
play for them for the amount shown on the contract.
Any extention – - Extra pay should come at the end of this contract
and, if everyone agrees to an extention, give him a bonus for signing
the extention. That way, everyone should be happy.
On a side note, completely off topic:
When you pull up the Atlanta Dream on AJC, the latest is about their last losing game and the all star game.
They have won 2 games since that loss. I know they are a stepchild in
the AJC coverage, but they ARE an Atlanta pro sports team.
David Fraser
July 31st, 2009
6:36 pm
Give Roddy his money; and give him his money now !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jeff Schultz
July 31st, 2009
9:12 pm
It’s getting close: Pretty funny.
Art: I think Fitzgerald sits at the top right now. But Calvin’s pretty close.
PMC: Good point about PAUL Petrino. He’s a great coach and I think the Falcons would’ve liked to keep him. But under the circumstances it would’ve been weird so he followed Satan out of town.
Falcondore: spot on.
Jethrine: Roddy’s agent was asked directly about a possible holdout by our Darryl Ledbetter and declined to answer. That’s how the door was pushed open.
Jeff Schultz
July 31st, 2009
9:14 pm
All — Just to reiterate, the Falcons know how good and important Roddy is to them and I’d be surprised if he doesn’t get a nice new contract.
FALCONS SORRY
July 31st, 2009
9:27 pm
THE FALCONS ARE GONNA WIN THE SUPPER BOWL WITH MATT RYAN!! THAT’S WHY I’M MAD!! MICHAEL VICK DIDN’T GET HIS CHANCE FOR THE SUPPER BOWL!!
unemployed
July 31st, 2009
9:29 pm
anyone who needs gutters or windows cleaned, car detailed,lawn work or painting done, hit me up at jbarnes777@comcast.net
GO FALCONS!!!
Falcon Ironman
July 31st, 2009
9:43 pm
Wake up. Roddy White is nothing more than an average player, playing for a very good offensive team. He is totally over rated. Now the falcons have a TE Whites numbers will be way down this year. If I was the Falcons, sign and trade him for a team player. I would rather have a reciever that has a little less skills that is a team player. This team has a potential to do something special and this clown pulls this crap. Jeff, your comments are exactly whats wrong with so many sports writers. AJC should dump you too.
Falcon Ironman
July 31st, 2009
9:54 pm
Oh, one other thing. Go back and look at the film over the last 3 years and count the number of clutch catches vs key drops. More key drops by a landslide. Look at the key drops in 2009 against Philly and Denver. The two games the falcons could have easily won which would have brought a division title and a different outcome in the playoffs.
Jeff Schultz
July 31st, 2009
11:27 pm
Not Again — you’ll play for half his salary. I’ll top that. I’ll pay for a tenth. OK, your turn.
Chea — Thanks.
Falcons sorry — I’m not sure if the Falcons will win the “Supper” Bowl. But maybe they have a shot at the Breakfast or Lunch Bowl.
Falcon Ironman — If you believe Roddy White it average, you’;ve lost your credibility.
Atlanta Falcons Talk » Blog Archive » Deadline (the other one): White’s justified if he holds out
August 1st, 2009
1:05 am
[...] Link [...]
Jimmy Hawk
August 1st, 2009
9:03 am
I have never looked at it from the players point of view. I agree, that Roddy needs to be paid and I think the Falcons will take care of him. I hope Roddy and his agent keep it real when it comes to Roddy’s contract demands. In this regard it has to be a 2 way street.
gary32
August 1st, 2009
11:32 am
……….Of all your stupid columns this one takes the cake. The man has a contract, but as you said he only got 4.75 million guaranteed on the current contract. How does a man live off 4.75 million? If this is your justification then why can’t the owners not honor the contract when a player sucks? Say Roddy was a complete bust…he still get’s his 4.75 million guarantee and the falcons get zippo. This argument works both ways but mostly in the favor of the player. By the way you might also want to look at the state of the economy before you pay this jerk the 9 million dollars he is wanting!!!!!!!!!!
Jason
August 1st, 2009
12:13 pm
I would be ok will players doing this if they were quick to give back money when they have crappy seasons. Why should they get paid top dollar when they don’t perform and then demand more money only when they do well. It’s a double standard.
dlae in newnan
August 1st, 2009
12:19 pm
relax everyone. this is the way of doing business in the nfl.
Chea
August 1st, 2009
12:21 pm
gary32, YOU need to look at the state the economy is in before realizing that the people doing the “paying” to Roddy White are filthy, FILTHY, FILTHY RICH.
Goldman executives getting millions of dollars EACH in bonuses and you want to complain about a football player. The downturn did not affect Daniel Snyder’s ability to drop the richest contract for a defensive player ever on Albert Haynesworth, at $100 million. It’s not going to affect Arthur Blank’s ability to drop some, in Michael Vick’s words, “chump change” on Roddy White.
Reid Adair
August 1st, 2009
12:58 pm
You are absolutely, positively correct, Jeff. Roddy White has proven in the last two years that he is one of the top receivers in the NFL. It’s time for Thomas Dimitroff and company to step up and pay him.
For goodness sake, the numbers he put up in 2007 – when they had the traveling circus at quarterback with Joey Harrington, Byron Leftwich and Chris Redman – was a better year for White than his TWO years combined in 2004-05 with the former quarterback who shall not be named here.
White is completely justified in holding out. The Falcons need to make a solid commitment to him IMMEDIATELY.
Reid Adair
August 1st, 2009
1:00 pm
“Look at the key drops in 2009 against Philly and Denver. The two games the falcons could have easily won which would have brought a division title and a different outcome in the playoffs.”
Hey, “Falcon Ironman,” can you see the future? The Falcons haven’t played ANYONE, let alone Philly or Denver, in 2009.
GT Falcon
August 1st, 2009
2:23 pm
I don’t blame Roddy. Football is a dangerous sport. Get paid while you can still play. Just don’t miss to much time…
Chuck ( Panthers fan)
August 1st, 2009
2:39 pm
I tell you what. Don’t pay him. Let his contract run through the end of the season. We (panthers) are going to dump peppers for some cap space which means we will have plenty for him to fit right next to Stevie “FRANCHISE” Smith. You guys would love to see that combo twice a year. I Say hold out, we will pay you!!! Go Cats, We bussin heads in 2010. Holla!!!
Falcon Ironman
August 1st, 2009
4:06 pm
Jeff, Roddy has shown flashes of being a very good receiver. He has a way to go before he is there. One pro bowl year does not make you a great player, especially if you llok how poor he ran his routes and the passes he dropped in 06 and 07. The sad part is the kid is getting bad advice from his agent. Don’t hold out it puts a bad taste in everyones month. Be a man and say I want to work out a long term contract and tell everyone I am a team player and will not let my team mates down. Show a positive attitude and get involved with the community. Tell your fricking agent if he wants to make more money get me some endorsements. If he holds out he will get a bad name and nobody will want him to endorse their products. Your public support of him is sending the wrong signal. A great athlete that works the system correctly, will make more money in endorsements than he ever will playing the game.
Reid Adair
August 1st, 2009
4:12 pm
“Jeff, Roddy has shown flashes of being a very good receiver. He has a way to go before he is there. One pro bowl year does not make you a great player, especially if you llok how poor he ran his routes and the passes he dropped in 06 and 07. The sad part is the kid is getting bad advice from his agent.”
“Falcon Ironrman,” more “all-knowing” from you, huh? None of us know if the agent is behind this or not. As I said earlier, his numbers in 2007 and 2008 speak for themselves. It’s time for the Falcons to step up and make a commitment.
And White does not have a “way to go” before he is one of the league’s elite receivers. He is knocking on the door right now.
PAY HIM, ARTHUR BLANK AND THOMAS DIMITROFF.
Falcon Ironman
August 1st, 2009
6:51 pm
Reid Adair, you obviously never played team sports at any level. At the pro level when you sign a contract that is a contract with the team, the fans and the city you play in. Roddy White is a me guy and me guys are not needed on any team regardless of their talent. Do you see any me guys in New England? You see me guys in Dallas but then again that is way they have all that talent and rarely have been making the playoffs lately. Piont being Roddy White may be one of the most talented receivers in the NFL but if he has the me attitude and he will never truely make the money he is worth. Good example Mike Vick… T.O. ect.
gary32
August 1st, 2009
7:41 pm
Damn right Chea they are filthy rich, are you????? Cause if White get’s the 9 million dollars he is requesting guess who’s gonna pay for it. That’s right poor Joe Blow who has to pay an enormous amount for tickets to go to the game so we can pay Roddy ( filthy rich ) White his 9 mil a year.
gary32
August 1st, 2009
8:01 pm
Hey Jeff your a damn fine reporter, who I am sure is underpaid. If I was you I would not show up for work Monday and let the AJC know you are holding out for more money!!!!! You were on your game last year and it’s time for the AJC to pay you what you are worth. Try it Jeff and let me know how that turns out for you!!!!!!!!!
David
August 1st, 2009
10:17 pm
Schultz, you are a dumb ass. Roddy could not catch a cold his first two years, he has one more year on his contract,he should play his finel year then we’ll talk.
Mike Franklin
August 2nd, 2009
9:33 am
Of course, all of this neglects the fan who, having no say in the process, is a large part of the system of revenue. The fan buys the tickets, they patronize the television sponsors and they purchase the various lisenced goods that cost out the nose. Professional sports likes to think of itself as a business but like so many other businesses, the customer/consumer has more to holdout over than anyone else.
Get your butt to camp, Roddy.
Pulleeze
August 2nd, 2009
12:00 pm
Do any of you think Matty Ice was overpaid before taking an NFL snap? What a bunch of hypocrites. His contract and that of Matt Leinart, Jemarcus Russell, Eli Manning and others who underperformed, weren’t earned on an NFL playing field. RW has earned the right to re-negotiate. Hard to believe that some of you actually take the side of Franchises that can cut you in the middle of a contract instead of players who try and re-negotiate in the middle of a contract. Hypocrites!
Pulleeze
August 2nd, 2009
12:09 pm
And another thing that has my dander up…If mike Vick was such a terrible QB, why were Algie Crumpler and Brian Finneran able to flourish with him at the helm? Food for thought.