Post by Guvmintcheeze on Oct 3, 2014 17:49:34 GMT
Roddy White: I will score this weekend
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons receiver Roddy White has a little added motivation going into Sunday's game against the New York Giants.
White would be the first to say he was less than pleased with his performance in last week's 41-28 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. White had four catches for 73 yards and a touchdown, but he was targeted 14 times and didn't have his normal rhythm with quarterback Matt Ryan.
"I have to play better," White said simply. "I had two drops in that game."
The Falcons can't afford any drop-off from their receivers as they prepare to move forward with a rebuilt offensive line. With center Joe Hawley (ACL) and right tackle Lamar Holmes (foot) out for the season, and left guard Justin Blalock (back) unlikely to play, Ryan might be forced to get the ball out quicker this Sunday. So he might need Julio Jones, Devin Hester, and White to make plays after the catch.
"We've got to turn a lot of short gains into long ones," White said. "These guys (the Giants) can rush the passer, too. They've always been good at that. So we've got to get out there in the quick game and make plays and catch 5-yard slants and turn them into big gainers."
One aspect working in White's favor is his health. He started the season battling knee and hamstring injuries, which caused him to typically be rested during Wednesday practices. This week, he has been back to full participation in practice.
"When I'm healthy, I'm going to go every day," White said. "This week, fortunately I got to practice on Wednesday, which was good. ... It was the first (Wednesday) of the year. I got through all my injuries and stuff. Coach is always trying to be precautionary. But, at times, I need to practice, especially when me and Matt are a little off in games. The more reps I can go out there and get with him during the week, the better we get prepared for the game."
Falcons coach Mike Smith talked about White getting back into a regular rhythm. The previous plan of holding him out on Wednesdays depended on how White felt and what surface the team was playing on that particular week.
"We talk about practice and it's really about training: You're training your body, you're training your mind all through the week," Smith said. "And when you get the opportunity to go out there and work with one another, it's going to definitely enhance your chances of playing well.
"If we could, we'd like to have guys out at practice every day. We know that's not possible. We know there's going to be injuries. But I think Roddy came out and he's been able to get a full week in. And that's going to be a positive thing for us on Sunday."
White enters Sunday's game with 14 catches for 187 yards and two touchdowns. In five career games against the Giants, including one postseason contest, he has yet to score a touchdown.
Does that bother him?
"No," White said. "I will score this weekend."
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons receiver Roddy White has a little added motivation going into Sunday's game against the New York Giants.
White would be the first to say he was less than pleased with his performance in last week's 41-28 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. White had four catches for 73 yards and a touchdown, but he was targeted 14 times and didn't have his normal rhythm with quarterback Matt Ryan.
"I have to play better," White said simply. "I had two drops in that game."
The Falcons can't afford any drop-off from their receivers as they prepare to move forward with a rebuilt offensive line. With center Joe Hawley (ACL) and right tackle Lamar Holmes (foot) out for the season, and left guard Justin Blalock (back) unlikely to play, Ryan might be forced to get the ball out quicker this Sunday. So he might need Julio Jones, Devin Hester, and White to make plays after the catch.
"We've got to turn a lot of short gains into long ones," White said. "These guys (the Giants) can rush the passer, too. They've always been good at that. So we've got to get out there in the quick game and make plays and catch 5-yard slants and turn them into big gainers."
One aspect working in White's favor is his health. He started the season battling knee and hamstring injuries, which caused him to typically be rested during Wednesday practices. This week, he has been back to full participation in practice.
"When I'm healthy, I'm going to go every day," White said. "This week, fortunately I got to practice on Wednesday, which was good. ... It was the first (Wednesday) of the year. I got through all my injuries and stuff. Coach is always trying to be precautionary. But, at times, I need to practice, especially when me and Matt are a little off in games. The more reps I can go out there and get with him during the week, the better we get prepared for the game."
Falcons coach Mike Smith talked about White getting back into a regular rhythm. The previous plan of holding him out on Wednesdays depended on how White felt and what surface the team was playing on that particular week.
"We talk about practice and it's really about training: You're training your body, you're training your mind all through the week," Smith said. "And when you get the opportunity to go out there and work with one another, it's going to definitely enhance your chances of playing well.
"If we could, we'd like to have guys out at practice every day. We know that's not possible. We know there's going to be injuries. But I think Roddy came out and he's been able to get a full week in. And that's going to be a positive thing for us on Sunday."
White enters Sunday's game with 14 catches for 187 yards and two touchdowns. In five career games against the Giants, including one postseason contest, he has yet to score a touchdown.
Does that bother him?
"No," White said. "I will score this weekend."
