White, 23, visited the New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals and spoke briefly with Kansas City, but he was swayed by a stop he made last week at the Falcons' complex.
After watching film with new offensive coordinator Greg Knapp, White found the right fit.
``That's what really excited me,'' said White, whose deal included a $600,000 signing bonus. ``Just watching how the system leaves it up to the receivers to go out and win one-on-one matchups and go up and get the ball that's what I like to do.''
White started 31 of 45 games for the Bears, who drafted him in the third round of 2000. In three years at Georgia Tech, White tied the school record for career touchdowns with 14 and finished second in receiving yards with 1,833. He led the Atlantic Coast Conference with 19.6 yards per catch in his final season as a junior.
The Falcons, coming off a miserable 5-11 season in which star quarterback Michael Vick missed 12 starts, believe White will back up leading receivers Peerless Price and Brian Finneran. Atlanta quarterbacks need considerable help after finishing last in NFL quarterback rating (58.7), last in completion percentage (50) and tied for last in percentage of passes intercepted (4.6).
``Everybody is excited about what the offense is capable of,'' White said. ``Everybody is just excited to see what's going to happen this year.''
White's speed could help the Falcons improve in several categories. Atlanta receivers averaged 164.4 yards, second-worst in the league, and they were last in the NFC in catching only 31 passes that covered at least 20 yards.
The Falcons have no players remaining from their 2000 draft. Guard Travis Claridge, a second-round selection, ended contract talks with Atlanta two weeks ago. Linebacker Mark Simoneau, a third-round pick, was traded last year to Philadelphia.
Offensive tackle Michael Thompson, cornerback Anthony Midget and receiver Mareno Philyaw are out of the NFL. Cornerback Darrick Vaughn played last year as a return specialist in Houston.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/3/161662