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Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
(Editor's Note: With NFL free agency still to come, the Cowboys' roster remains very much unfinished. In this summer series, DallasCowboys.com takes a look at a number of veterans who could wind up in Dallas before the season begins. Today's featured player is Bills safety Donte Whitner.)
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.
Where Would He Fit: Whitner would be a good fit for the Cowboys' defense at strong safety. This team will enter free agency with two needs at the position, although some believe Gerald Sensabaugh will get re-signed. Either way, Sensabaugh is versatile enough to play either free or strong safety, therefore freeing up the team's flexibility to sign either/or in free agency. Whitner is a player who can play closer to the line of scrimmage in run support, therefore a rangy free safety with him would be a plus.
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
(Editor's Note: With NFL free agency still to come, the Cowboys' roster remains very much unfinished. In this summer series, DallasCowboys.com takes a look at a number of veterans who could wind up in Dallas before the season begins. Today's featured player is Bills safety Donte Whitner.)
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.
Where Would He Fit: Whitner would be a good fit for the Cowboys' defense at strong safety. This team will enter free agency with two needs at the position, although some believe Gerald Sensabaugh will get re-signed. Either way, Sensabaugh is versatile enough to play either free or strong safety, therefore freeing up the team's flexibility to sign either/or in free agency. Whitner is a player who can play closer to the line of scrimmage in run support, therefore a rangy free safety with him would be a plus.
