Dealing Whitner would benefit Bills in rebuilding effort | National Football Post

NFP's Matt Bowen argues that SS Donte Whitner could be a nice bargaining chip for the Bills.

5 months ago Brian Galliford 11 comments 0 recs |

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A mid-round pick that we use to move up in the draft? Is it really worth it?

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by MattRichWarren on Mar 17, 2010 1:57 PM EDT reply actions

Is it really worth it?

But what are we really losing?

No weekend spent pantsless is a wasted weekend.

by sireric on Mar 17, 2010 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions

From the sounds of Matt’s article, Whitner may truly be a great player for the Bills at FS.

Sure Byrd crushed it last season…because of 9 plays. I’m not knocking Byrd. I think what he accomplished is awesome, but it was simply 9 plays and he was a rookie. There’s no telling what he’s able to mature into and if he’ll ever prove adept at tackling. What if he slumps and the team has dumped Whitner?

I think they should keep him, maybe try to finally coach the playmaker in him out onto the field.

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by TheAfghanTwilight on Mar 17, 2010 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Whitner may truly be a great player for the Bills at FS.

You could be right, I just wont hold my breath waiting for it to happen.

No weekend spent pantsless is a wasted weekend.

by sireric on Mar 17, 2010 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I only hold my breath for fish.

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by TheAfghanTwilight on Mar 17, 2010 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Personally, Keeping Whitner keeps us strong in the secondary.

Injuries happen more frequently with these guys, so it seems, and as soon as you plug in their replacement the offense starts to single out the new guy. With that said when you are missing two critical pieces of a football team in QB and NT anything is possible.

Also, regarding Byrd. I was more impressed with how offenses changed their method of attack with him back there. He is very gifted in being in the right place at the right time and if the receiver doesn’t catch the ball then he plans on owning it. I believe he could of had 11 interceptions if not for Wilson or Corner on a couple plays. As far as his run tackling, well lets hope he isn’t expected to do to much of that, I preferr the DL and LB to specialize in that area. Then in that time he can mature enough to contribute to expectations.

This is like dumping a new puzzle from it's box. Now let's start putting the peices together. I guess this is what we all asked for.

by VanScottM on Mar 17, 2010 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Those 9 plays

are 9 more than Whitner has made. Ok, maybe about 6 more, but you get the point.

Whitner is a 4-year veteran, who hasn’t improved at all. In fact, some may argue he’s actually regressed.

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Mar 18, 2010 2:07 AM EDT up reply actions

Byrd has a a ways to go before being a complete FS. He’s a great center-fielder, but the rest of his games needs work.

by dzil on Mar 20, 2010 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions

I like the Bowen article, but I think he undervalues what Wilson accomplished last year, and I now feel comfortable calling him a starter…at least as comfortable with him as Scott and Byrd.

a.k.a. Undee

by Undee on Mar 17, 2010 3:02 PM EDT reply actions

The major benefit Whitner has over Scott/Wilson is he still relatively young and could remain a Bill for a long time, and could definitely form a solid tandem with Byrd for years. The fact of the matter remains, if Whitner were traded could you get something in return that would make it worth while?

I was born in Buffalo, and NO, it's not a suburb of New York City

by Ghetts on Mar 17, 2010 4:18 PM EDT reply actions

Agree and Disagree

I agree that the Bills shouls explore options, but other than that… this article was smoldering garbage.

He says Whitner was “stuck” in a Tampa 2 system that didn’t allow him to make plays? Tell that to Bob Sanders. If you counter “well. that’s Bob Sanders.” I will counter, “exactly.”

Then he says Whitner has the skills to play FS. I assume he means “ball skills.” Yeah, I can totally gather that from his 4 career INTs. Lovely ball skills there.

Whitner is many things. A sure tackle. A solid enough option to stack the box. Verstaile enough to put at corner or free safety in a pinch… but a ball-hawk, he is NOT. Blaming the Tampa 2 scheme is rediculous. SS is an absolutely crucial position in the Tampa 2, and Whitner played admitably.

Would Whitner be better suited to a conventional SS role? Maybe. But he would likely perform exactly as he has for Buffalo to this point in his career – solid, but unspectacular for sure.

It’s simple. If you can get a third round or better pick (I don’t care what you’re using it for) you HAVE TO move him. That’s unlikely, so moving him should be equally unlikely.

i will not drinketh thy coolaid...

by kgun201 on Mar 17, 2010 7:42 PM EDT reply actions