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Syracuse.com

8/11/06

Bills S Whitner eager to make preseason debut

8/11/2006, 12:44 p.m. ET

By JOHN WAWROW
The Associated Press


PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) — For someone not sure how much playing time he's going to get in Buffalo's preseason-opener, rookie strong safety Donte Whitner certainly has high goals.

"Yeah, I'm eager, excited," Whitner said ahead of the game at Carolina on Saturday. "I want to go out there, do what I do, run around, make a couple of tackles and hopefully get a couple of interceptions."

A couple of interceptions?

Yeah," the Bills first-round draft pick said with a grin. "Don't set it too low."


The question is how many chances he'll get. Coach Dick Jauron remains cautious of pushing Whitner too quickly, particularly after the player missed the first eight days of training camp because of stalled contract talks.

Selected eighth overall in April out of Ohio State, Whitner signed a five-year deal last weekend and has taken part in only eight practices over five days this week at training camp in suburban Rochester.

Jauron said Whitner will definitely see playing time in certain special teams situations, but he wasn't sure about putting him in the defense.

"We're still going to look at it and make sure that we feel comfortable that he's ready to play in a game," Jauron said.

While veteran Matt Bowen continues to practice with the starters, Whitner has shown gradual signs of progress practicing mostly with the second-stringers.

On Tuesday, Whitner was notably caught out of position, 3 yards behind the play, when tight end Robert Royal caught a touchdown pass during red-zone drills.

Whitner looked better Thursday, leaping high in the air to deflect and almost intercept a Kelly Holcomb pass over the middle.

Projected to be the Bills' opening-day starter, Whitner is pleased with his progress so far.

"I feel like I've made up a lot of ground," he said. "After I get a significant amount of time in going over things mentally and physically, I think I'll be ready."

The Bills are relatively free of injuries heading into the game.

Reserve safety Coy Wire and reserve defensive tackle Lauvale Sape are both bothered by back injuries. Third-string quarterback Craig Nall will not play as he continues to recuperate after straining his hamstring July 29.

Nall has started running on his own and hopes he'll be cleared to return to practice next week. He didn't rule out the possibility of playing in Buffalo's next preseason game, at home against Cincinnati next week.

Also out is linebacker Takeo Spikes, who is being rested as he continues to progress from a torn right Achilles' tendon that forced him to miss the final 13 games last season.