FanPost

Come on Pat White

I know last year wasn't memorable for him. There wasn't much positive to dwell on but the key is that he was a rookie QB and drafted as a project. He was drafted as a project. One more time, he's a project. He doesn't deserve the backlash he got this offseason because he seemed to do everything asked of him last year. They trained him as a traditional QB and neglected the use of his natural Spread formation. When Pennington went down they were forced to accelerate the use of a project.

I almost look at the use of Pat White last year as throwing him under the bus for Chad Henne. I don't have a problem with that but the bottom line is Henne was able to communicate mid-drive with the staff and I'm confident he benefited from that opposed to the train of thought that it kills his momentum. Maybe in the near future it would kill momentum but last year it was needed. The benefit of Pat White last year was in the progress Henne made once he returned to the game and not the actual yardage gained by Pat White.

He's still a project and as one I look at him as expendable. I'd prefer he sticks around because I think the versatility he offers as an athlete stashed as a QB is huge. It allows us to hide the true backup QB in the QB3 spot which basically creates an extra player to use which is Pat White. It requires that they take advantage of Pat White's strengths like the Spread formation or even returning kicks. Bottom line is the addition of Brandon Marshall should drastically increase his likelihood to succeed on the field.

Now yesterday was a different story. Something happened and I don't think it was good. They may have approached him with some negative news like the chance of him not making this team. I can see that especially if they like Tyler Thigpen. Seems like Thigpen can do lots of what Pat White does but happens to be a better pure QB. Who knows what the reason was for Pat White not showing up yesterday but I think it's a sign and not a good one for those who still hope to see White stick around.

It's hard for me to imagine a team stepping up and taking White off out hands but now that I think about it we did get a 5th for Ginn. It's also hard for me to imagine the Trifecta just cutting Pat White so the end to this situation should be interesting. I suppose it's going to come down to what Penny the Thigpen look like and if they deem either expendable in order to continue working on the Pat White project.

I thought Penny was headed to the PUP but now that doesn't seem to be the case. My eyes are on other teams and the health of their QBs. Miami is one of the first teams that would get a call if a QB goes down and we all know that's only a matter of time. That too is going to be a real decider on Pat White's future here.

So, come on Pat White and ignore what ever caused you to miss the first day of camp. Keep doing what they ask of you and please be open to a position change. This team may have over-drafted you but you still financially benefited from that. I know you took a beating against Pitt and that's the lasting memory in everyone's minds but come on Pat White, don't miss any more camp. You're better than that.

I recognize a survivor in Pat White and a determination in his eyes. I just hope he's planning on surviving in the NFL and not any fallback option he may have because as Ricky will tell him that money will get paid back one way or another.

Too bad Gruden didn't return this year because he's been studying the Spread for some time now. I'd imagine Pat White is valuable in his eyes.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of The Phinsider's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of The Phinsider writers or editors.