The NFL betting chances of the Atlanta Falcons definitely improved over the weekend as the team signed receiver Roddy White to a new $50 million dollar contract. White had been holding out and his loss would have left a major hole in the Atlanta offense. The deal is reportedly for six years and includes over $18 million in guaranteed money. White was back at practice on Monday and happy to have all this behind him. “It was good,” White said, “I want to thank Mr. Blank, general manager Thomas and Rich McKay for getting my deal done and coach Smith for getting together and getting me back out here as soon as possible.” White had 88 catches last season for 1,382 yards and made his first Pro Bowl. He is the first Atlanta receiver in 10 years to have back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons. The Falcons are three point NFL betting underdogs on Sunday in their preseason opener at Detroit.
White was in the final year of his contract that would have paid him $2.28 million. He was holding out for a long-term deal and the Falcons came to the decision that getting White signed was a priority. “We’re always going to be an organization that rewards players that are productive on the field and good citizens off it,” general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. “We’re glad to have Roddy’s contract situation resolved. We look forward to a long association with him.” The Falcons are the second choice in online football betting to win the NFC South this season.
The Falcons really had their hands tied in this situation with White. Their third receiver, Harry Douglas was lost for the season due to injury so getting White signed really became a priority. Atlanta got tight end Tony Gonazlez from the Chiefs in the off-season and they look to be improved on offense in Matt Ryan’s second season. Now with White signed, the Falcons have their offense set with White and Michael Jenkins in the top two wide receiving spots. They did sign Marty Booker and Robert Ferguson to compete with Brian Finneran for the slot position.
The Falcons are considered one of the darkhorses in NFL betting this season to win Super Bowl XLIV at 23-1. With Matt Ryan at quarterback, Michael Turner at running back and a solid receiving corps led by Roddy White, the Falcons will be a popular choice in NFL betting this season.