CCBoy
06-24-2011, 12:31 AM
Free Agent Watch
Whitner Brings Physical Presence
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/news.cfm?id=BDBE0CF1-E9BD-385C-451BE642E0997AB0
Name: Donte Whitner
Position: Safety
College: Ohio State
Height/Weight: 5-11/205
Age: 25
NFL Experience: 5 seasons
Availability: After signing a five-year deal as the No. 8 overall pick in 2006, Whitner has played out his contract in Buffalo and is expected to be an unrestricted free agent once the signing period begins. While the Bills could always re-sign him, Whitner will be free to ink with any team and he's expected to be one of the top safeties in what has become a rather loaded market for the position.
What He Brings: Whitner brings some physicality to the defense. Chosen so high, it's always hard for safeties to reach the lofty expectations of their pick. Whitner doesn't possess the ability to make consistent plays, such as interceptions or forced fumbles, although he did have a pick in his NFL debut in 2006 off Tom Brady. But that was Whitner's only interception of that rookie campaign and he's had only five in five years overall. Last season, Whitner did post a career-high 94 tackles for the Bills.
Connections: Whitner's coaching staff in Buffalo has plenty of ties to the Cowboys as former coaches Chan Gailey, Dave Wannstedt, George Edwards and Bruce DeHaven are all on the current Bills' staff. Playing at Ohio State, Whitner has several college teammates around the league, but no current former Buckeyes are on the roster in Dallas....
Whitner Brings Physical Presence
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/news.cfm?id=BDBE0CF1-E9BD-385C-451BE642E0997AB0
Name: Donte Whitner
Position: Safety
College: Ohio State
Height/Weight: 5-11/205
Age: 25
NFL Experience: 5 seasons
Availability: After signing a five-year deal as the No. 8 overall pick in 2006, Whitner has played out his contract in Buffalo and is expected to be an unrestricted free agent once the signing period begins. While the Bills could always re-sign him, Whitner will be free to ink with any team and he's expected to be one of the top safeties in what has become a rather loaded market for the position.
What He Brings: Whitner brings some physicality to the defense. Chosen so high, it's always hard for safeties to reach the lofty expectations of their pick. Whitner doesn't possess the ability to make consistent plays, such as interceptions or forced fumbles, although he did have a pick in his NFL debut in 2006 off Tom Brady. But that was Whitner's only interception of that rookie campaign and he's had only five in five years overall. Last season, Whitner did post a career-high 94 tackles for the Bills.
Connections: Whitner's coaching staff in Buffalo has plenty of ties to the Cowboys as former coaches Chan Gailey, Dave Wannstedt, George Edwards and Bruce DeHaven are all on the current Bills' staff. Playing at Ohio State, Whitner has several college teammates around the league, but no current former Buckeyes are on the roster in Dallas....