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Report: Cincinnati Bengals Talking With Safety Donte Whitner

The Cincinnati Bengals are talking with safety Donte Whitner, according to The Enquirer's Joe Reedy.

The former Buckeye, a first-round pick in 2006, has spent his entire five-year NFL career with the Buffalo Bills, where he's amassed 451 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 5 picks and 3 forced fumbles. Last week, the Buffalo News said that the Bills weren't expected to bring him back.

The Bengals have been needy at safety for a while. Former Cowboy Roy Williams, who arrived in 2009, appeared in just 16 games in two seasons due to injury and is currently a free agent. Nine-year veteran Chris Crocker has been a hard-hitter on the field, but has also struggled with injuries, missing 18 games over the last three seasons. Five-year veteran Chinedum Ndukwe is also a free agent, and so far the Bengals have not shown any inclination they want him back, either. The team did re-sign Gibril Wilson yesterday, but he's coming off an ACL injury.

UPDATE: Fresh tweet from the Cryptkeeper:

There is a good chance safety Donte Whitner gets a deal done with the Bengals. It would be a nice fit.

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this could

Make my freaking weekend!

by beast_ on Jul 31, 2011 9:13 PM EDT via mobile reply actions  

Now that does make sense

I think Whitner would be great in this defense, hes a good cover safety and in Zimmers defense he likes his safety to be able to cover, been kinda of a smart thinking Bengals day today, catching bad physicals, Benson on a cheap one year contract, and talking to Donte Whitner, makes me wonder if Mike Brown is coming around some, I know, but they cant take our dreams away, now can they?

by Primal on Jul 31, 2011 9:14 PM EDT reply actions  

Hahaha

Don’t get too carried away with the MB coming around lol. I think Zim is uber respected with upper management and I think this has his fingerprints all over it. I still think we need to make one more splash on D and that’s with a LB.

by ASco05 on Jul 31, 2011 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions  

Totally agree good lb and a guard offensively and I won’t consider this offseason a complete failure

by beast_ on Jul 31, 2011 9:22 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

On the other hand

MB saved money he expected to spend on Joseph. Now he can spend it on Whitner.

It must be inordinately taxing to be such a boob. ~ The Brain

by jim0ijk on Jul 31, 2011 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions  

BeerRun is all over it

Thanks BeerRun for the Updates,keep them coming!

by Primal on Jul 31, 2011 9:33 PM EDT reply actions   1 recs

He'd be an upgrade to what we have

This is vintage Mike Brown and the Bengals the last few years during free agency. Lay low for the first few days and then start picking up former high round picks who’ve fallen out of favor with the team that drafted them.

If they get a decent Left Guard and even another RB and this offseason totally turns around.

by Anthony Cosenza on Jul 31, 2011 9:33 PM EDT reply actions  

Brain Waters??

I know he’s 34, but dude rarely misses games, and he’s made the Pro Bowl two out of the last 3 seasons, including last year. Plus, he is an absolute professional who would also do wonders for Clint Boling’s development.

Take Deuce’s money and give it to Waters, straight up!!! They would have such an experienced and veteran O-line, which would certainly help the young guns at the skill positions. It’s really a no brainer considering who else is on the market. Plus, LG is Water’s natural position, unlike the recently dropped Deuce.

by The_Black_Stripes on Jul 31, 2011 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions  

but would he come here?

He may want a team with a chance.

by JCompton41 on Jul 31, 2011 9:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

at 34, he'll come to a place that can help secure his financial future.

At least, I would be thinking that as much as a SB ring. Maybe if our guys quit getting hurt every day, and we have a good start, this team can be competitive. You never know in the NFL. Lets shoot for a wildcard spot! Yeah, that’s the ticket.

Sure. Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the mouth - Mike Tyson

by UpStateMike on Aug 1, 2011 8:11 AM EDT up reply actions  

Quick Scouting Report on Whitner (i live in Buffalo)

Strengths: Tough player who is willing to stick his nose in the pile or make the big hit. Solid tackler. Very competitive. Good in zone coverages.

Weaknesses: Diva attitude. Goes for the big hit when he can play the ball. Is only 5’10", so TEs have an extreme advantage in coverage. Doesn’t play man-to-man well. In the box safety who doesn’t have great vision or fight blocks well. Not a play maker.

Overall impression: I’ll take Whitner for cheap. He needs an attitude adjustment and needs to be humbled. Id make him fight his way up the depth chart and earn his spot. I do think Zimmer gets the best out if his safeties, so there could be some upside with Whitner. He’s just as good as Nelson & Crocker, so whomever the coaches decide is their starters, its not a huge upgrade if he starts.

CincyJungle.com Contributor for the NFL Draft
Follow me on Twitter for Bengals & NFL Draft talk
"Sometimes you just have to pick Tomlinson over Justin Smith." - ???

by Joe Goodberry on Jul 31, 2011 9:34 PM EDT via mobile reply actions  

"I’ll take Whitner for cheap."

Well, this is the Bengals so it’s not likely he’ll get here any other way! Thanks for the scouting report.

by BeerRun on Jul 31, 2011 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions  

This would be a nice little bonus

Whitner is a solid option at S. Makes we wonder what the game plan is if he is added to the mix with Crokcer and Nelson. Anyone else find it interesting Ndukwe has not been mentioned as a roster “addition” for this season?

Of topic of this post, but what does everyone think the options are at G? Not a lot of FA talent remaining. Wonder if Stephens could possibly be in the mix with Livings, Boling and maybe Andre.

by Cedric Benson Boat Party on Jul 31, 2011 9:34 PM EDT reply actions  

No

That’s the problem

CincyJungle.com Contributor for the NFL Draft
Follow me on Twitter for Bengals & NFL Draft talk
"Sometimes you just have to pick Tomlinson over Justin Smith." - ???

by Joe Goodberry on Jul 31, 2011 9:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

Ndukewe is sooooooooooo bad

a solid 5 minutes of game tape is all it takes to realize his glaring inadequacies.

Great person and humanitarian, but so is Warren Buffet. Sorry Chinny

by The_Black_Stripes on Jul 31, 2011 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions  

Yeah, I dont think he is a good player. Just seems Cincy seems to always bring those guys back . . . .I’m looking at you Livings and Roland.

by Cedric Benson Boat Party on Jul 31, 2011 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions  

I honestly don't know

though i remember he injured his knee against Pittsburgh in the later part of last season.

by Cedric Benson Boat Party on Jul 31, 2011 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions  

Zim don't like him

I hear Zim doesn’t much care for him. whatever that means. If your Zim don’t want him ,neither do I. Still on the street, so I assume Zim not giving him a good grade when others call and ask about him.

"Next season will be better" circa 1990
Twitter @Rcklarue

by Yarin on Aug 1, 2011 12:21 AM EDT up reply actions  

It's about time

I’ve been wondering why they weren’t going his way earlier. This guy is a palyer and folks should like the OSU connection.

by K312 on Jul 31, 2011 9:36 PM EDT reply actions  

Mike Borwn probably thinks he can sell more tickets

with added Ohio State players. If they add Whitner, it will be two this week. They have Nuge and went after Sanzenbacher pretty hard, or so it was reported.

I guess I wouldnt put this angle past the front office, though in the case of Clements and Whitner it does fill a need with one of the better players available at the time of their respective signings.

by Cedric Benson Boat Party on Jul 31, 2011 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions  

No. Different position. Clements has already affected it, but only very little.

CincyJungle.com Contributor for the NFL Draft
Follow me on Twitter for Bengals & NFL Draft talk
"Sometimes you just have to pick Tomlinson over Justin Smith." - ???

by Joe Goodberry on Jul 31, 2011 10:08 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

Clements wasn't an SF draft choice

And he was released by SF so there shouldn’t be a compensation impact. The compensation system is a bit of an NFL black box. I think it’s only in play when you sign a player from the team that drafted him. The original draft round is a factor, and I think there is some netting of the draftees of other teams you signed vs. your own that you lost, but I’m not clear what else is considered.

by K312 on Jul 31, 2011 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions  

doesnt matter

Its about who WE sign to replace J.Joe. they could sign you to play CB, if they give you a $48m deal, and you start 16 games. The Bengals wont get an compensation for J.Joe because they replaced him.

CincyJungle.com Contributor for the NFL Draft
Follow me on Twitter for Bengals & NFL Draft talk
"Sometimes you just have to pick Tomlinson over Justin Smith." - ???

by Joe Goodberry on Aug 1, 2011 4:33 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

Defense is starting to look good

I get the impression Zimms is pissed and this could boad well for all Defense over all. If they sign Brandon Johnson they might actually be really good!!! The more I think about the more I like how these guys match up against the offenses in our division.

by biggie22 on Jul 31, 2011 11:06 PM EDT reply actions  

Got very excited

Huge tOSU fan here and i was reading the other day about FA safetys because of our obvious need and when i saw him i instantly got excited about the possibilities, he had something like 150 tackles last year, learned that it was just bc the Bills defense was awful, but all the same, thats impressive and i was hoping we would make a move with the previously stated, obvious need, and im glad to see we might be doing something about it. Would be very glad to have him.

by Dylan P on Jul 31, 2011 11:11 PM EDT reply actions  

*Bills' Front Seven was awful

That secondary’s actually kinda good.

by Doc Scratch on Jul 31, 2011 11:37 PM EDT up reply actions  

They need to sign Whitner

And pick up a decent LB. Who knows what Rivers can contribute this year. Rebuilding a wrist sounds serious. Unless that means they inserted a meathook to improve his tackling, I have to believe we shouldn’t expect much from him this year. He was only a 2 down guy as it was. With what we’ve lost from last year, we could use some good experience there.

by K312 on Jul 31, 2011 11:18 PM EDT reply actions  

Load up on defense.

If our defense is really good then that will always keep us in games while our offense goes through its growing pains.

by D-Day77 on Jul 31, 2011 11:22 PM EDT reply actions  

For what it's worth: Reedy tonight on Whitner

was asked during his twitter Q&A about whether they would sign Whitner tonight and answered, “probably not until tomorrow.”

So. Crossed. Fingers. Keep.

by BeerRun on Jul 31, 2011 11:36 PM EDT reply actions  

thx

Anything brewing in the AOL front, BeerRun? Thx for all the updates

3 yards and a pile of dust

by Hudepohl Dey on Jul 31, 2011 11:51 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

OLB

How does OLB turn into AOL? I hate auto correct

3 yards and a pile of dust

by Hudepohl Dey on Jul 31, 2011 11:52 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

I am camping at Cedar Point tonight

I was not supposed to bring my laptop but I couldn’t refrain from it since all of this debacle in FA is going on.
Here’s to sneaking on the CJ……….I hope we get Whitner. Hell yes!

by WHYUS!! on Aug 1, 2011 12:10 AM EDT reply actions  

can anyone confirm that we signed OLB Brian Iwuh?

nfl network has him as signed with us, walterfootball has him resigned with chicago. not a big pickup but good for depth

by 70sav on Aug 1, 2011 1:09 AM EDT reply actions  

sorry

espn and numerous Chicago media outlets are reporting he has signed back on with the Bears.

by Mr. X on Aug 1, 2011 1:43 AM EDT up reply actions  

If Pete carrol is dumb enuff to get caught at USC he will give up 2 Number 149

he paid that wr 10 mil and didnt get a thing from it, and this new CBA is sweet, it will make him look like Steinbrenner, and the Bengals retooling is partly financed by Ocho Loco and Palmer, AND WE ARE NOT LOSING MARINO. 9 was a p r major at USC. His handling of this from a p r standpoint was a back alley abortion. Speaks to his decision-making……. He will lose millions and unintentionally fix the Bengals. Heard any john morrell commercials with Carson lately, THATS HUGE MONEY. AND MIKE WILL SPEND, BECAUSE HE IS INTIMIDATED BY THE THOUGHT OF ZIM GOING POSTAL. When Mike asked the tight end coach hayes if some roster chum linebacker could be coached up to play tight end, and being a polite (ASSISTANT) said maybe he could do it, and Marvin WAS in the shot of hayes and got this wtf planet have I landed on look. These are GOOD coaches, thank god Coyle will be here one more year. And Sam Wyche would have killed for this kind of control, he seems to be staying out of it. These guys like Ghee, that’s what Zim prefers, not sure in this system Whitner couldn’t play corner, not JJO types, but he was very good, for a SMALLER corner MIKE REMEMBERS THE CHUCK BRESNAHAN ERA. AND AFTER SCREWING THIS DEAL UP WITH JOSEPH, WHEN ACCORDING TO SOURCES, HE WOULD HAVE TAKEN 6.5 PER A YEAR AGO, I’D SAY MIKEY IS ZIM’S B*TCH THESE DAYS. TO SPEAK TO 9’S DECISION MAKING, VERSUS SAY THE GUY IN PITTSBURGH. You’d think a p r major would do a better job handling something of this importance. But the face of your team, Walter Payton Archie manning, barry Sanders, marvelous players who played on some miserable teams dont turn and run on owners who have reaped riches on them. He may force their hand by unretiring next year so just spend the mandatory 90 which is all they will spend anyway. I’d demand the prorated signing bonus back too. MAKE HIM PAY MIKEY BUT REMEMBER, DRAFT CHOICES STILL MATTER IF ONLY FOR THIS REASON. A CB, UNDER THE NEW CBA, IS A TWO MILLION DOLLAR A YEAR GUY, FOR FIVE YEARS, BUT AS WE DID LEARN, A TEN MILLION A YEAR GUY ON THE OPEN MARKET. As Matt Calhoun once said to a friend at a softball game, not like we are there(in this case Ohio State, where thew hens have come home to roost), same difference, 9 had suspect leadership skills coming in, and this is the wife’s doing, but his character is worse than Odell Thurmonds. Have a glass of chablis for me Shae Linn. Were those drunk Bengal fans offensive? Butch Up, and tell your p*ssy husband to do the same thing. Lucky it ain’t filly. Shae Linn, a club box is what 100 large, SPEND SOME OF THAT MONEY BABY. Mikey might give ya a deal on one, get ya away from the riff raff.

by melkiperwannabe on Aug 1, 2011 6:20 PM EDT reply actions  

ANTHONY COLLINS GETS NO RESPECT

Guess he doesnt fit the mold, but the protection improved late season when he and Mathis played, Mathis is 6 6 300 but as strong as the center, and Philly, which did embrace the Stacey Andrews mauler prototype, now favors quicker smaller ol’s under Howard Mudd ex-Denver? AND SNATCHED MATHIS UP. But Collins at RT, or really even LT, as he pass blocks as well as Whit, with Smith inside solves the guard issue. But some guys they just aren’t fans of, and wont play them, but they are THE COACHES.

by melkiperwannabe on Aug 1, 2011 6:30 PM EDT reply actions  

"THERE TO STUDY"

 And Carson was molded into a QB from his earliest years. CUT OFF the calhoun quote. Hey, I’m no Mensa candidate, and 9 sure isn’t. DAVE LAPHAM HAD A 3.8 IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING….AT SYRACUSE. And please, Reggie Kelly, please stop with the he will always be my little brother. he is a pretentious punk, 89 had it right. A quitter. Mentally weak. Reggie you have high character and all that, thanks for your service to our team, but you couldn’t run 6 years ago, and you are likely slower after Achilles surgery. Accept what Dick Clark can’t. It’s time to park the bus. Character doesn’t win football games. SPEAKING OF WHICH The UFL has imploded and more free agents now flood the market. Jack Gruden in one of his first statements to the media, hopefully not an attempt at being topical, if so, he blew it, raved about an ex-bengal who was his most productive defender last year when he was Head Coach of the Orlando franchise, with the aforementioned Chuckie C. as DC, and Al Roberts handling special teams, the man Coslet brought from the jets to fix our "special teams’ according to an Enquirer story. How’d that work out? Hey we need LB help. Should Gruden, the heir apparent to Marvin, call his former player? Odell Thurman anyone? I thought Al Roberts retired? Course, when you forget to pay your home insurance, and blue Ash gets leveled, that’s a big hit for anyone. And he’s such a good coach.

by melkiperwannabe on Aug 1, 2011 7:11 PM EDT reply actions  

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