S Donte Whitner (Buffalo Bills)

[HineyBuck]

If this occurred at a birthday party for Teddy, you gotta wonder who all else was there. Likely a long list of names we would recognize. Also gotta wonder, of all else who were there, how is it that only Donte found himself in a position to be arrested? I recognize, there were other arrests, but apparently no other "public figures." Seems likely that either Donte was more than a bit reckless, or we have not yet heard the rest of the story. Not sure which I hope to be true.

[Buckskin86]

NFL notebook: Whitner charged following incident
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Associated Press

Buffalo Bills defensive back Donte Whitner was formally charged yesterday with aggravated disorderly conduct and resisting arrest resulting from an altercation at a Cleveland nightclub early Saturday.

Police used a stun gun on Whitner, 23, outside the House of Blues and then handcuffed him after he forced his way past them. Whitner was taken to jail and released later pending formal charges.

Cleveland police spokesman Thomas Stacho confirmed the charges and said Whitner is being sent a summons. He said a court date has been set for April 28 for Whitner's initial appearance.

It was not clear why Whitner tried to leave the club and head for a melee outside, though he told officers, "My cousin is out there, and they've got guns," according to the police report.

Whitner said he regrets the incident.

Whitner, who played at Ohio State, was taken by the Bills with the eighth overall pick in the 2006 draft.

He was part of a group celebrating the birthday of Ted Ginn Jr., a receiver for the Miami Dolphins. Whitner and Ginn played football together at Cleveland Glenville High School and Ohio State.

BuckeyeXtra - The Columbus Dispatch : NFL notebook: Whitner charged following incident

[Buckskin86]

Donte Whitner arraigned in disorderly conduct case
Posted by Donna J. Miller/Plain Dealer Reporter
April 28, 2009

CLEVELAND ---- Buffalo Bills defensive back and former Ohio State star Donte Whitner was arraigned today on charges of aggravated disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
He pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor charges and is due back in Cleveland Municipal Court May 19. The case was assigned to Judge Angela Stokes.

Police stunned the 23-year-old with a Taser and arrested him April 11 after a birthday party at the House of Blues turned into a brawl, Lt. Thomas Stacho said.

Whitner was celebrating the birthday of Ted Ginn Jr., wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins. The two played football together at Glenville High School and Ohio State.

Police were called about 3 a.m., when patrons started fighting. Whitner was told to step away from the unruly crowd. He pushed passed officers who tried to restrain him, police said. He took a "fighting stance" and was shocked with the Taser, Stacho said.

He was cuffed, booked at City Jail and released. He issued a statement hours later saying he regretted the incident. "I apologize to all involved," he said.

Donte Whitner arraigned in disorderly conduct case - Metro - cleveland.com

[Buckskin86]

Whitner says charges will be dropped
Bills safety appears in Cleveland
court Tuesday
Updated: Monday, 18 May 2009

RCHARD PARK, NY (WIVB) - Bills safety Donte Whitner says he'll be in a Cleveland court Tuesday, not as the team's OTA practice. But at that court appearance, Whitner says he expects charges against him to be dropped. Whitner was arrested on April 28 in his hometown of Cleveland, following an incident at the House of Blues. Whitner was charged with aggravated disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

"The latest is I have a court date tomorrow, and hopefully everything gets dropped tomorrow, and that’s what my lawyer is telling me, so hopefully we’re going to go in there tomorrow and we’re going to see," said Whitner after practice, "As far as my side of the story, I can assure everyone that I didn’t do anything wrong, and anybody that knows me and knows what type of person I am, what type of things I stand by, they know I didn’t do anything wrong. And actually we have a video tape of the whole incident. It was sent to my lawyer I think last week, so hopefully we’re going to get it all figured out."

Whitner was attending the birthday party of his high school and college teammate, Ted Ginn Jr. He is currently a wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins.

http://www.wivb.com/dpp/sports/bills...opped_20090518

[Buckskin86]

Charges Not Dropped Against Bills' Whitner
May 19, 2009

Buffalo Bills safety Donte Whitner was hoping the charges against him would be dropped Tuesday morning. Instead he's going to have to wait a little bit longer, and the public will to have to wait to see the videotape Whitner says will set the record straight.

Whitner skipped Tuesday's voluntary Bills practice in order to go to court in Cleveland to face charges of resisting arrest during a fight outside a Cleveland night club last month. Whitner and his attorney did not show the videotape Whitner says proves he did nothing wrong. His hearing is being continued to next month. In the meantime Whitner's attorney is expected to be working on enhancing the clarity of the videotape. Where the tape came from is not clear. Whitner only says it was sent to his lawyer last week, and he's looking forward to clearing his name.

"It gets turned and makes you look a certain way, even if they don't have both sides of the story and that's the only frustrating part about it," says Whitner of the attention his arrest is receiving, "It's one side of the story or somebody else's point of view put in there when a lot of the stuff is totally false."

The public is still waiting to hear Whitner's side of the story. He says he will tell it once the matter is settled in court. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 19th.

Charges Not Dropped Against Bills' Whitner | WKBW - TV Buffalo, New York | Local News

Charges not dropped for
defensive Donte
"...one side of the story came out"
Tuesday, 19 May 2009

CLEVELAND, OH (WIVB) - A disorderly conduct and resisting arrest case against Buffalo Bill Donte Whitner is going forward in Ohio. Criminal charges were not dropped for Bills defensive back Donte Whitner.

He had no comment Tuesday morning as he walked out of a Cleveland court room. Monday he was convinced new evidence would clear his good name.

"Actually we have a videotape from the whole incident. It was sent to my lawyer last week, so hopefully we gonna get it all taken care of tomorrow," said Whitner.

His attorney, Larry Zukerman, said the defense requested more time to review evidence. Instead of dropping charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, an Ohio judge granted more time for Whitner to fight those charges.

Last month, Cleveland Police accused the 23 year-old of forcing his way past Cleveland Police during a fight outside the House of Blues.

As a result, officers shocked Whitner with a stun gun. He was arrested and spent the night in jail.

"It's not embarrassing. The only thing is one side of the story came out. I don't have a grudge against anyone, but people will try and pick up and take it and turn it without getting both sides," said Whitner.

Since this case is still open, he has no plans on addressing that other side. "I think I'll wait for it to be settled in court before I tell my side of the story, but I will tell my side once it is settled in a court of law," Whitner said.

http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/local/C...Donte_20090519

[Buckskin86]

Safety rankings: Reed, Polamalu are pure playmakers
Posted: May 27, 2009

The salty veterans still lead this group, but there are some promising young players on the rise. Several have made the list while several others just missed. With the next generation emerging, this list could look a lot different a year from now. RealScouts, Sporting News' team of former NFL scouts, rank their top 20 safeties for '09:

9. Donte Whitner, Bills. Pending legal issues aside, Whitner is an instinctive playmaker who can play in traffic or in space. He is a rising young player who has a physical style and is strong in run support.

SportingNews.com - Your expert source for NFL Football stats, scores, standings, blogs and fantasy news from NFL Football columnists

[Buckskin86]

Whitner excited about
position switch
Veteran moves from strong safety to
free safety
Tuesday, 02 Jun 2009
Paul Peck



ORCHARD PARK, NY (WIVB) - Its the one major change to the Bills defense. It started at the end of last year, but its a go for 2009. Donte Whitner, a starter at strong safety since entering the NFL, will move to free safety this year. Veteran Bryan Scott will play the strong safety position.

The change started in the last two games of 2008, when Whitner made the position move to free safety. Scott started four games at free safety, with Whitner remaining at his normal position. Scott has clearly surpassed Ko Simmpson, who started 11 games last year.

Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell says the change comes because Whitner and Scott are not classic free and strong safeties, but give the defense flexibility.

"I've been wanting to get to that point for a number of years now," said Fewell, "people just can't say he is the strong safety, he is always going to do this. It gives us a lot of flexibility."

Whitner likes the move, because it allows him get away from being a run-stopper and puts him in position to make more plays.

"I?m going to have the opportunity to make some plays at the free safety," he said, "When you?re playing strong safety and you?re down in the box, you?re really almost a tackler, the eighth guy in the box to shore up the front so no long runs break out of there. Now I have the opportunity to roam back there, get some big hits, interceptions, all of the different things that show up on the stat sheet, so I?m looking forward to it."

Whitner excited about position switch | WIVB.com

[Buckskin86]

Bills defensive back Donte Whitner case pushed back to July 31
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

CLEVELAND ? The disorderly conduct case against Buffalo Bills defensive back Donte Whitner has been pushed back to July 31, but won't interfere with his pre-season workouts.

Whitner appeared in Cleveland Municipal Court on Friday on allegations of trying to force his way past officers dealing with a crowd outside a nightclub in April. He's charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Whitner's lawyer, Larry Zukerman, told Judge Angela Stokes that both sides were involved in talks about a plea deal. With the agreement of the defence and prosecution, the judge said Whitner could skip next month's hearing because of pre-season workouts.

Zukerman and the prosecutor, Bryan Fritz, declined to elaborate on the negotiations.

The Canadian Press: Bills defensive back Donte Whitner case pushed back to July 31

[Buckskin86]

video interview on NFL network...

NFL Videos: Whitner in studio

[Buckskin86]

T.O. and Donte Whitner Find Inspiration In Hospital Visit
Posted Jun 30, 2009
By Calvin Watkins



At the end of his youth football camp last week in Dallas, Bills wide receiver Terrell Owens said he was inspired by a 16-year-old football player named Corey Borner.

Last Thursday, Owens, along with Bills teammate Donte Whitner, visited Borner at the Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation. Borner suffered a severe spinal cord injury during spring practice on May 6 while playing for DeSoto (Texas) High School.

After surgery to prevent further damage, he is currently recovering at the rehab center. Borner can move his arms but not his legs, but hopes to eventually.

"Corey is not only an inspiration but he was also my motivation for this year's camp," Owens said. "Since Corey couldn't come to the camp, it is my honor to bring the camp to him."

Owens and Whitner brought autographed jerseys and other memorabilia to Borner, who was thrilled to see the NFL players.

Sometimes we get caught up in what players do on the field, but we forget that they do some good things off of it, as well.

"His story immediately hit home for me," said Whitner. "When Terrell invited me along for the visit, there was no hesitation. Corey is a reminder of why I work so hard on and off the field. He's a true inspiration."

T.O. and Donte Whitner Find Inspiration In Hospital Visit -- NFL FanHouse

[brodybuck21]

Originally Posted by Buckskin86

T.O. and Donte Whitner Find Inspiration In Hospital Visit -- NFL FanHouse

great story.

[Buckskin86]

Could Whitner lose his starting job?
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on July 11, 2009

Donte Whitner has performed a variety of roles since getting drafted eighth overall by the Bills in 2006. He's played strong safety, nickel cornerback, and free safety.

Now he's facing the surprising possibility of a new role: reserve.

FoxSports.com reports that Buffalo's coaching staff is eager to see what rookie second round pick Jairus Byrd can do in training camp. If Byrd performs well, he could start at free safety, with journeyman Bryan Scott at strong safety.

Whitner was arrested earlier this offseason, but the competition looks to be based on his play. Buffalo is looking for more playmaking ability in their secondary and believes Byrd, a former cornerback, could provide it. Whitner has only two interceptions in his career.

If Whitner loses the starting gig, he won't be moving back to nickel corner. He'll be a utility man at both safety spots.

No matter how valuable Whitner's versatility is, that would be a disappointing role for a player drafted so highly.

Could Whitner lose his starting job? | ProFootballTalk.com

[billmac91]

Originally Posted by Buckskin86

Could Whitner lose his starting job? | ProFootballTalk.com

Author of that piece got lit up on Profootballtalk and he came to defend himself.....bad info on this one. Readers over at PFT laughed at Florio for even commenting on it...

[redstatebuckeye]

I hope it is bad info. Otherwise, it shows why Buffalo is a perennial loser -- thinking about starting a rookie over a pro bowl caliber safety.

[billmac91]

Originally Posted by redstatebuckeye

I hope it is bad info. Otherwise, it shows why Buffalo is a perennial loser -- thinking about starting a rookie over a pro bowl caliber safety.

He's a boarder-line pro-bowler. The thing goes:

If rookie, Byrd is good enough to crack the starting line-up, the can slide Donte to FS due to his flexibility. The writer seems to think Byrd getting the nod at SS means Whitner moves to a back-up hybrid role. The writer got the slam-down by Bills insiders at PFT. And the writer used a source that never made those comments...just twisted things out of context for a story.

Donte Whitner will start. Zero to talk about here....