Donte Whitner - My Favorite Bills Player
Sep 1, 2008 NFL
I really like Donte Whitner. It started early, as soon as the Bills drafted him, really. Pundits and detractors thought he was a ‘reach’, and I wanted him to prove them wrong. He looked to me like exactly what the team needed, someone to lay waste to receivers over the middle and support the run defense. He’s done exactly that.
ESPN has long piece up on Whitner, showing how his childhood helped shape him into the driven individual he is today. He spent 3 months in a cast at 4 years old, after being hit by a car. His father was also jailed for 6 years when Donte turned 12. He’s channelled all of this into being a leader on and off the field for the Bills.
Last year, he played host to Thursday-night film sessions in the basement of his Hamburg, N.Y. home. He brings in a chef and a masseuse. The turnout’s always strong.
Not many 23-year-olds would take it upon themselves to do something like that.
There’s also his charity, Team 20, helping out people in Cleveland, Buffalo, and elsewhere.
“We’re going to make the playoffs,” Whitner reiterated. “I’m not backing down from that guarantee. I feel even stronger about it now than when I made it.
On the field, Whitner mentions that the coaches have been looking to bring more pressure with the upgraded personnel helping out. I’m sure Chad Johnson, er, Ocho Cinco could tell AFC Quarterbacks about what happens when Donte Whitner gets a bead on you. Very good article from Tim Graham, so read it if you haven’t already.
Tags: bills, buffalo, football, johnson, NFL, ocho cinco, whitner
That’s More Like It
Aug 14, 2008 NFL
The Buffalo Bills first team offense shined tonight as the first trip of the ‘Buffalo in Toronto’ series ends with a 24-21 Buffalo win. Robert Royal had 2 TDs (in the red zone!) from Trent Edwards, who was 9 for 11 for 104 yards. Marshawn was solid in limited action, averaging 5 yards per on 5 carries. Most importantly, everything just seemed to work. Both TD drives were sustained drives, with a solid running game and checkdown throws at the right time. The D, while allowing some yards and points, also had a few timely turnovers and big plays, including Ko Simpson tipping a Rothlisberger pass to Donte Whitner for an interception. Special Teams had a huge play as well, with Leodis McKelvin returning a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. Very fun game to watch, despite it’s locale.
Tags: bills, buffalo, edwards, football, lynch, mckelvin, NFL, royal, simpson, toronto, whitner
Random Buffalo Sports Stuff
Donte Whitner guarantees the Bills make the playoffs. Please do, while home playoff games are still played here, okay?
Steve Bernier, now of the Vancouver Canucks, signed an offer sheet with the Blues. The Canucks matched it, sparking, uh, nothing like the war of words between Lowe and Burke.
Jason Smith is off the list, and he’s with the Sens. Time to call Teppo! (my son is hopeful)
Tags: bills, blues, buffalo, canucks, Hockey, NHL, numminen, ottawa, sabres, senators, signing, smith, st. louis, Steve Bernier, vancouver, whitner
Bills Making Moves to Improve
Mar 4, 2008 NFL
The Buffalo Bills are showing they are not going to sit idle and let the usual suspects run away with the AFC this season, making several big moves and signings as free agency began. They signed LB Kawika Mitchell away from the Champion Giants, and picked up Spenser Johnson as well for depth at DT. Most impressively, they took a real chance and traded a 3rd and a 5th round pick to the jags for run-stuffer Marcus Stroud. He’s coming off injury (and a suspension for violating the performance-enhancing substance abuse policy), but if he returns to form it would address a glaring need the Bills have had since the loss of Pat Williams and Sam Adams. Add to all of this the fact that Bryant Johnson (a 6′3″ wideout) looks to be signing here, which would darn near double the average height of the Bills’ starting receiving corps, and safety Marlon McCree is on the radar which would give Buffalo great depth at safety.
What could really make or break the Bills for the next few years is this draft. Buffalo has drafted some very good players the past few years, including Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch, Paul Posluszny and Donte Whitner. Another impact player (CB? A good TE if one’s on the board?) could put Buffalo back on the list of teams to pay attention to. A lot of this will depend on Trent Edwards continuing to improve, but there were enough positive signs there that Bills fans are starting to generate a cautious buzz.
It doesn’t hurt the Bills’ build up of buzz that the Sabres are not quite the team they were the past two years.
Tags: B-Lo Sports, bills, edwards, football, johnson, lynch, mccree, mitchell, NFL, posluszny, Sam Adams, stroud, whitner, williams
