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S Donte Whitner (Official Thread)

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Day Eight: Whitner Update, Defense Dominates
by Chris Brown, Lead Journalist Last Updated: 8/4/2006 6:41 PM ET




Bills GM Marv Levy provided a brief update on the contract talks with unsigned top draft pick Donte Whitner.
"I spoke to the agent for Donte and told him about the importance of getting it done," said Levy. "I told him I hope they can work it out, but I never talked figures. I told him very honestly, 'We're going to have to move forward without the guy.' It's not going to be our style to stop everything else and have him catch up. Coy Wire and Matt Bowen are moving ahead and there's a lot to catch up on and learn. It's very harmful to stay out. I can't understand it."
Levy admitted he's surprised that it's dragged on as long as it has.
"I'm not carrying on the negotiations," said Levy. "I'm just saying, 'Hey we've got to get practicing man.'"
As far as where negotiations stand Levy said there was one positive.
"In the conversation I had with the agent the only thing that was encouraging was the agent told me that Donte wants to get in here. That was one glimmer of encouraging news."
Bowen is aware of the talent Whitner possesses, and despite the fact that he'll be competing with him for a starting job, knows it's better for the team if he's in camp.
"He's obviously a tremendous football player and we need him to win this year," said Bowen. "We need as many guys as we have and we need as much depth as we can. Right now we are working with the guys that we have here because that's all you can do and whenever Donte gets here we'll welcome him back and get moving."
 
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If the Bills think it's so vital for Donte to sign and get in camp, then give him the contract he deserves. IronBuckI brought up a good point about "market value". This year's draft "market" puts Donte's worth around the midpoint between $12.1 and $15 million guaranteed ($13.5~$13.6 million). The Bills are low-balling him at $12.9. If they just offer a little less than a million more ($13.7~$13.8) then that's still well below what Huff got and would most likely get Donte to quickly sign.
 
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espn.com

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Rookie safety Donte Whitner signed with the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, joining the team after the No. 8 draft pick missed the first eight days of training camp.
The former Ohio State star had been the top drafted player still unsigned and only one of three first-round selections not under contract.
Whitner was seeking a five-year contract that included about $14 million guaranteed. The Bills as recently as Wednesday were offering him $12.9 million guaranteed over five years. Talks had stalled last week, with Bills general manager Marv Levy saying Friday the two sides were at ``a stalemate.''
Whitner arrived at training camp site in suburban Rochester, but not in time to practice. He is expected to be on the field Monday -- the Bills have Sunday off.
The Bills had projected Whitner as their opening-day starter. He now has plenty of catching up to do after missing 14 practices. The Bills have expressed concerns that Whitner has missed valuable time learning the defense and bonding with teammates.
His development already has been delayed because he missed all but two of Buffalo's spring minicamps because of Ohio State's relatively late exam schedule. Whitner spent last week working out at Ohio State and noted he was studying the Bills' playbook.
Believing a deal was close, Whitner had traveled to the Rochester area before the start of camp July 26. But he returned to Ohio a day later after negotiations stalled.
He is a hard hitter who finished third among the Buckeyes with 73 tackles, adding four sacks and two interceptions as a junior last season. He helped Ohio State rank fifth in the nation in defense, allowing 281 yards a game and 15 points last season.
 
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Well, I'm glad that's over.

Now, depending on the terms of the contract, and how long it takes Donte to get into the starting lineup, the process can be re-evaluated.
 
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Great news.:biggrin: I like that he's been kept in the loop by London Fletcher and Youboty (and Troy Vincent) prior to signing, so maybe the catch-up won't take too long for a player who has always been wiser than his years on the field. I definitely hope he does earn the starting spot ASAP.
 
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Whitner welcomed to Bills
Top draft pick is signed to a 5-year contract
Leo Roth
Staff writer

(August 6, 2006) — PITTSFORD — The Buffalo Bills have their first day off of training camp today and won't practice again at St. John Fisher College until Monday morning at 11.

For first-round draft pick Donte Whitner, however, class is in session.

"I feel I'm behind a little bit, but I'll be meeting with my position coach today and tomorrow and learning the things (I've missed)," Whitner said Saturday after signing a multi-year contract to end an eight-day holdout. "I'll come out Monday ready to go."

Whitner, a strong safety out of Ohio State and the No. 8 overall pick in April's NFL draft, was the highest unsigned pick and the only Bills player who hadn't reported.

With No. 14 pick Broderick Bunkley agreeing to terms with Philadelphia, only two first-round choices remain out: Arizona's Matt Leinart (No. 10) and Miami's Jason Allen (No. 16).

While Bills officials declined to disclose terms, Whitner confirmed his contract is for five seasons. It's believed to be worth at least $13.5 million in guaranteed salary and bonuses, putting the package in between deals handed Oakland strong safety Michael Huff, the seventh overall pick, and Detroit linebacker Ernie Sims, the ninth overall pick.

As of mid-Friday afternoon, Bills general manager Marv Levy described negotiations between lead negotiator Jim Overdorf and Cleveland-based agent Jonathan Hurst as stalemated. The sides were more than $1 million apart when the week began. By nightfall, a deal was struck.

What got it done?

"We'll, we've been close for awhile," Whitner said. "I was confident it would take care of itself. It was typical of negotiations, and that's true with everybody in the draft. Matt Leinart is going through it now. It wasn't one side being greedy, it was a matter of meeting in the middle."

Whitner flew to Rochester early Saturday morning but not in time to take part in practice. After a physical, he was put through a brief workout by trainer Bud Carpenter. He then signed autographs and met with the media.

Thanks to frequent phone conversations with veteran Troy Vincent and rookie Ashton Youboty, his Ohio State teammate the Bills drafted in the third round, Whitner kept up to date with what was transpiring at training camp.

He admitted that talking with Levy several times by phone and listening to the Pro Football Hall of Famer claim that he was falling behind and jeopardizing his chances of being a starter helped move the negotiations along.

"A little bit. When Marv speaks, you have to listen," Whitner said. "I feel I'm a quick learner and I know football. All concepts are the same, it's just a difference in terminology. I'm behind but once I get the ins and outs of this defense down, I'll be right in there with the rest of these guys."

Levy and coach Dick Jauron said it's possible that Whitner, who has missed a total of 14 practices of varying length, could get enough work in to be ready to participate in the first preseason game Saturday at Carolina.

Nobody on Saturday was handing Whitner the starting job over veteran free agent Matt Bowen, but it's clear the Bills are counting on the All-Big Ten performer to help their No. 29-ranked defense in both run and pass support.

"It's over with and it's full speed ahead for him," Levy said. "It's better if you're here from the beginning, but we'd rather look at the positives. I know he's eager to get going. Is he behind? Yes. He has a lot of ground to make up."

Jauron said he wasn't planning on giving Whitner the bulk of the repetitions at strong safety starting Monday but he would gradually work into the rotation and get his share. Clearly, by ending his holdout when he did, Whitner gave himself ample time to win the starting assignment.

"He'll start competing for the starting position as soon as he can get on the field," Jauron confirmed. "We've got to believe he's in good shape. He's a very dedicated athlete and focused on football. He's a serious player. We believe he'll go right to work and start competing."

Whitner, a solidly built 5-10, 204 pounds, follows Antoine Winfield and Nate Clements as recent Ohio State defensive backs to join the Bills as first-round picks. Over the past three seasons, he compiled 164 tackles and five interceptions.

Haggling over a contract isn't something Whitner looks forward to experiencing again anytime soon.

"Everybody who wants to be the best at what they do, once you miss some time (in camp), you feel it inside," he said. "It wasn't anybody telling me I needed to be here, I was telling me I needed to be here. I felt that a little bit, but I also knew there was a business side to football and once I got in, I'd catch up and compete for that starting job."

[email protected]
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Donte Whitner
Position: Strong safety.
Height/weight: 5-feet-10, 204 pounds.
College: Ohio State.
Background: First of two first-round picks for Bills, No. 8 overall. DT John McCargo (No. 26) was the other. A fearless hitter, possesses elite speed. He clocked 4.38 in the 40-yard dash and registered a 40-inch vertical leap for scouts. ... One of top prep players in country at Glenville High in Cleveland, he started 18 of 35 games at Ohio State, registering 144 tackles, five sacks and five interceptions.
The skinny: He's expected to start as a rookie, replacing departed veteran Lawyer Milloy on a unit in desperate need of a youth movement. ... Patterns his play after Philadelphia's Brian Dawkins and Pittsburgh's Troy Polamalu. Can cover both tight ends and wide receivers from the slot, giving defense some needed versatility. Needs to work on technique and show he can support the run at NFL level. Has All-Pro potential.
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http://www.democratandchronicle.com...?AID=/20060806/SPORTS03/608060335/1007/SPORTS
 
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Dispatch

8/6/06

NFL NOTEBOOK

Whitner ready to work after signing with Bills

Sunday, August 06, 2006


ASSOCIATED PRESS




Rookie safety Donte Whitner signed with the Buffalo Bills yesterday. The next step is seeing how quickly the No. 8 pick in the NFL draft can begin competing for a starting job.

"I’m a little behind," Whitner said after signing a five-year deal and joining the team at its training camp site in suburban Rochester, N.Y. "But once I get in, I’ll be a quick learner."

He’ll have to be because Whitner has plenty of catching up to do after missing the first eight days of camp. The Bills’ preseason opener at the Carolina Panthers is next Saturday.

"I know he’s eager to get going right now," general manager Marv Levy said. "Yes, he is behind and has a lot of ground to make up."

The Ohio State product had been the top drafted player still unsigned and only one of three first-round selections not under contract.

Without disclosing financial terms, Whitner said the two sides met in the middle in guaranteed money after the player was seeking $14 million, and the Bills had offered $12.9 million as of Wednesday.

Whitner wanted to be paid closer to the $15 million guaranteed as part of a five-year deal safety Michael Huff — the No. 7 pick — signed with Oakland in July because the two play the same position. The No. 9 pick, linebacker Ernie Sims, received $12.1 million guaranteed as part of a fiveyear contract with Detroit.
The deal, which was agreed to Friday night, came after Levy had referred to the two sides as being at "a stalemate."
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CPD

8/6/06

Buffalo's Whitner lands quite a deal


Sunday, August 06, 2006

Roger Brown
Plain Dealer Columnist

Former Ohio State and Glenville High star defensive back Donte Whitner has plenty of reasons - yes, millions - to smile about his newly signed contract with the Buffalo Bills.

Whitner, taken No. 8 overall in April's NFL Draft, not only has a deal worth nearly $29 million - he's got one for five years, which will make him a free agent sooner than numerous first-round picks who signed for six years (including Browns linebacker Kamerion Wimbley).

Whitner's deal is almost 15 percent higher than that of last season's No. 8 pick, Antrel Rolle of Arizona. Among other goodies in Whitner's contract:

He'll make $12 million more than the rookie taken one pick after him (Ernie Sims of Detroit) and nearly $4 million more than the player selected two spots before him (Vernon Davis of San Francisco).

He'll make nearly $4 million more than Wimbley - even though Wimbley's deal has an extra year. Whitner's deal was negotiated by NC Sports, which counts Browns punter Dave Zastudil among its numerous clients.
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8/7/06

Buffalo Signs First-Round Draft Pick

By JOHN WAWROW

Rookie safety Donte Whitner finally signed with the Buffalo Bills on Saturday. The next step is seeing how quickly the No. 8 draft pick can begin competing for a starting job.

"I'm a little behind," Whitner acknowledged after signing a five-year deal and joining the team at its training camp site in suburban Rochester. "But once I get in, I'll be a quick learner."

He'll have to be because Whitner has plenty of catching up to do after missing the first eight days of camp, and with the Bills' preseason opener at Carolina on Aug. 12 fast approaching.

"I know he's eager to get going right now," general manager Marv Levy said. "Yes, he is behind and has a lot of ground to make up."

The former Ohio State star had been the top drafted player still unsigned and only one of three first-round selections not under contract.

Without disclosing financial terms, Whitner said the two sides met in the middle in guaranteed money after the player was seeking $14 million, while the Bills had offered $12.9 million as of Wednesday.

Whitner wanted to be paid closer to the $15 million guaranteed as part of a five-year deal safety Michael Huff _ the No. 7 pick _ signed with Oakland last month because the two play the same position. The No. 9 pick, linebacker Ernie Sims, received $12.1 guaranteed as part of a five-year contract with Detroit.

The deal, which was agreed to Friday night, came after Levy had referred to the two sides as being at "a stalemate."

"That's over with, full speed ahead." Levy said Saturday.

The Bills drafted Whitner with the plan for him to be their opening-day starter, a key addition to a revamped defense that finished 29th last season.

He's already missed 14 practices at training camp, including the team's lone session Saturday. Whitner did conduct a brief individual workout following practice, and is expected to be on the field Monday _ the Bills have Sunday off.

Whitner's development already has been delayed because he missed all but two of Buffalo's spring minicamps because of Ohio State's relatively late exam schedule.

"We have confidence in his mental and physical abilities, but it's hard to catch up because you just don't have the time," coach Dick Jauron said. "We've got a limited number of people so, when he comes in, we don't have 10 hours to devote solely to him."

Whitner's progress will be evaluated before determining whether he'll play against Carolina, Jauron added.

Six-year veteran Matt Bowen, signed by the Bills in March, has been starting in Whitner's place during training camp.

Whitner spent last week working out at Ohio State and noted he was studying the Bills' playbook. He said he also kept in touch with several teammates, including veteran safety Troy Vincent, last week.

"I'm just waiting for Monday to come," Whitner said. "It's just a matter of taking the reps and making the best of every one of them."

Whitner is a hard hitter who finished third among the Buckeyes with 73 tackles, adding four sacks and two interceptions as a junior last season. He helped Ohio State rank fifth in the nation in total defense.

Believing a deal was close, Whitner had traveled to the Rochester area before the start of camp July 26. But he returned to Ohio a day later after negotiations stalled.

To make room for Whitner on their roster, the Bills released reserve punter Joshua Brazen.

A service of the Associated Press(AP)
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Bills Sign Whitner
by John DiTullio
photo by Tim Irving
whitner8-4.jpg
Donte Whitner signs five-year deal First round pick Donte Whitner signed a five-year deal with the Buffalo Bills. Selcted eighth overall in April's NFL Draft out of Ohio State, Whinter had a short workout at training camp Saturday afternoon. "I feel like I'm a quick learner and I feel like I know football. Football is football, being at Ohio State, whether it's cover two, zone blitz, cover one, whatever, it's all basically the same concept, different terminology. I'm behind a little, but once I get in, meet with coach, get the ins and outs of the extra defenses they put in, I think I'll be caught back up with the rest of the guys", Donte Whitner said.
Projected as the opening day starter at stong safety, Whitner is the last of the Bills nine draft picks to sign with the team.
 
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Bills' Whitner Buys No. 20 From Williams

POSTED: 5:38 pm EDT August 7, 2006
UPDATED: 5:49 pm EDT August 7, 2006

PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- It didn't take long for Buffalo Bills rookie safety Donte Whitner to start spending part of his new signing bonus.

The No. 8 draft pick's first purchase? Negotiating what Whitner would only describe as a five-figure deal to buy the No. 20 jersey from running back Shaud Williams.

Whitner, who wore No. 36 during spring minicamps in Buffalo, debuted the new number Monday when he took the field for the first time in training camp after signing a five-year contract, believed to include about $13.5 million guaranteed, Saturday.

Whitner said the reason for the change was because he didn't want to wear the same number his predecessor, veteran Lawyer Milloy, wore last season before he was released in March. Whitner wore No. 9 at Ohio State.

New jersey number aside, Whitner is focused on catching up after his stalled negotiations led him to missing the first eight days of training camp in suburban Rochester.

"Right now, I don't feel far behind, maybe a little in conditioning," Whitner said. "I know my job, now I need to figure out what everybody else is doing around me."

Projected to be the team's opening day starter, Whitner practiced with the Bills second-stringers.

Whitner spent Saturday and Sunday holding individual workouts and meeting with his coaches.

Coach Dick Jauron said Whitner's progress will be evaluated before determining whether he'll play in Buffalo's preseason opener at Carolina on Saturday.

"I do want to play in that game, but it's coach's decision," Whitner said.

For Williams, this is the second time he's has changed numbers. Williams wore No. 40 as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2004 before he switched to No. 20 after making the team.

Smiling, Williams made clear he's not against switching numbers again for the right price.

"If anybody wants to switch, we can sit down and talk," Williams said. "But I think the most important thing now is Donte's here, he's working and we're in the process of getting him on the field and helping us win ballgames."
Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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http://www.newsnet5.com/sports/9642912/detail.html?rss=nn5&psp=sports
 
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Playing catch-up

Whitner joins team for first day of practice

Kevin Oklobzija
Staff writer

(August 8, 2006) — PITTSFORD — The first order of business for Donte Whitner on Monday wasn't a quick review of the playbook or re-introducing himself to teammates.

Before joining the Buffalo Bills for his first practice of training camp at St. John Fisher College, Whitner had a little personal business to tend to.
The rookie strong safety, the eighth overall pick in the NFL draft, needed a new uniform number.

Given jersey No. 36, Whitner went looking for a trade. Well, more like a purchase.
Running back Shaud Williams was the seller, giving up No. 20 in exchange for No. 36 and a tiny percentage of the reported $13.5million that Whitner will earn from the Buffalo Bills over the next five years.
The parties agreed to keep the exact terms of the sale private.

"He came to me, and I told him I was going to hold out" for the best deal, Williams said with a smile.
Williams had good reason to be smiling. There were several digits in the sale price.

"Counting the zeros, seven ... with the decimal in there," Whitner said.
So why No. 20? The question was more "Why not 36?"

That's the number worn by Lawyer Milloy for the past three seasons. Milloy, released in the spring, is the player Whitner will be replacing in the defensive backfield.
"I didn't want to have the same number as he did last year," Whitner said. "And a lot of safeties in the NFL wear 20."

Whatever his number is, Whitner was just glad to be at practice. He ended his holdout by signing a contract with the Bills on Saturday and went through his own conditioning drills over the weekend.
He missed not only the first 10 days of camp but the bonding that goes with trudging through 95-degree heat.

"Being at home and watching the NFL Network and training camps around the league, you want to go through the tough days with your teammates, the days when you feel like you're not going to make it," he said.
He didn't think missing early practice sessions hurt his performance, though. He said he knows his responsibilities.

"Right now, I don't feel far behind — maybe a little in conditioning," Whitner said. "I know my job. Now I need to figure out what everybody else is doing around me — the linebackers, the defensive linemen."
While coach Dick Jauron was pleased that Whitner was finally in camp, the rookie out of Ohio State wasn't the object of his attention.

"I didn't zero in on him very often," Jauron said.
The Bills are trying to ease Whitner into the full practice scheme as quickly as possible but realize there are conditioning issues.

"I think he's a high-character guy, and we anticipated that he would come in in good shape," Jauron said. "But we didn't want to overdo it.
"We ran him a little bit Saturday, we ran him a little bit Sunday, just to get his feet under him."

Whitner says he'll be ready to play Saturday night when the Bills open the preseason in Charlotte, N.C., against the Carolina Panthers.
"I do want to play, but that's the coach's decision," Whitner said. "He's going to see me practice and decide."
 
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