Roddy White is once again having a Pro Bowl season and has shown no sign of slowing down. In a season when teammate Julio Jones was discussed as possibly overtaking White as Atlanta's No. 1 receiving option, White has come through as QB Matt Ryan's go-to man, a role he's established since Ryan entered the league in 2008.
White's on pace this season to end with 1,364 receiving yards, his third-highest total in his career and just 25 yards shy of his career high of 1,389 set in 2010. What's most notable of White's 2012 season is the totals he's posting as he trends toward the lowest reception numbers since 2009. White is on pace for 90 catches this season, well below the 100 and 115 of last season and '10.
Of all receivers in the NFL, White's yards ranks 8th and he's the third-highest receiver in the NFC. This season marks the sixth straight 1,000-yard year of his career, a franchise record, making him one of only two players in the NFL currently to total 1,000-yard seasons in each of the previous six years.
The legend of White continues to grow as he adds his name to numerous franchise records. To date he's the owner of seven Falcons records for single-season, single-game or career achievements. His place among the league's elite receivers of the NFL's history is gaining momentum as well. Last season he become one of eight receivers in league history to record at least 80 catches and 1,000 receiving yards in five consecutive seasons. He needs only 12 more catches to make it six straight seasons this year, which would make him just the sixth player to complete that feat, joining Marvin Harrison, Torry Holt, Jerry Rice, Tim Brown and Reggie Wayne.
Historically, December has been one of White's best months, another reason to believe he'll add to his impressive statistics this year as he helps the Falcons on their quest for home playoff games once again. Since 2007, White's 1,897 receiving yards in December and January (the final four weeks of the regular season) ranks as the fifth-most in the NFL, proving that White is at his best when the games matter the most.
White's place in Atlanta's passing offense has made them much more dangerous this season. While he's adding up another stellar year and drawing attention from opposing defenses, his teammates are enjoying some of the best years of their career. Tony Gonzalez is on his way to one of the best seasons in his Hall-of-Fame career and Jones, in just his second season, is 28 yards from a new career high and 69 yards from his first 1,000-yard season.
Despite all the highlights and impressive stats, White, like Gonzalez, and many other Falcons inside the Atlanta locker room, is still searching for his first career playoff win. Because of White's play this year, there's a good chance the Falcons are finally about to turn the corner.
