The Buffalo Bills won't be able to re-sign any of their free agents until a new NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement is in place. That doesn't mean we have to ignore free agency, and we'll continue our series of free agent polls by bringing up strong safety Donte Whitner.

Though he's about to enter his sixth NFL season, Whitner will turn just 26 years old this summer. Like teammate Paul Posluszny (poll), Whitner is coming off of arguably the best statistical season of his career. Playing in all 16 games for the first time as a pro, Whitner finished the season second on the team in solo tackles (95) and total tackles (148), and third in assisted tackles (43). He also recorded one tackle for loss, a half-sack, an interception, a forced fumble and seven passes defended.

Reports surfaced in December that the Bills and Whitner's representation had attempted negotiating a new deal - to no avail. You know the drill from here.