Orchard Park, NY (WGR 550) -- If you look at Donte Whitner, Paul Posluszny and Chris Kelsay, they didn't play bad football last season, but big plays that mattered in the outcome of a game were few and far between. If Buffalo's defense is to improve next season they must be able to get plays when they're needed most. Donte Whitner doesn't agree about his big play ability, but does know they need to add turnovers, "I wouldn't say I didn't have any big plays, I've had big plays as a strong safety whether it be tackles for a loss, anything in the box, but I haven't been able to play the middle of the field in coverage as much as I would like. What ever they ask me to do, I do it and to the best of my ability, but I get the opportunity now so we'll see. It's my fourth year getting the opportunity to play some free safety so we'll see." Whitner added, "Getting a lot of turnovers, that's what we're missing on this defense and that's what we need to get."
It depends who's on the field as to where Whitner plays. If Bryan Scott is on the field he's a free safety. If Ko Simpson or rookie Jairus Byrd is on the field, he's a strong safety. Whitner said, "Actually I'll probably stay at free safety because they drafted Jairus Byrd and they want him to play some free safety. Coach Fewell likes me at both, but I guess they want to play him at free so we'll see." If Byrd shows any ability in training camp switching from CB, he'll likely start.
Perry Fewell uses OTA's to try out many of his ideas from the off season. Whitner likes the fact that they try things out, "I would say he added quite a few things. I would say it's just us growing and maturing as a unit, giving us the freedom to show different things and just get to where we're going. In the past, we had to scale back a little because sometimes you get information overload, but now we're older and we can take all the information and play different things." He added, "There are a lot of things you might not see again. All it takes is one long play and it gets thrown out. I like it and look forward to putting in some new wrinkles and some changes."
Ashton Youboty his still battling Plantar Fasciitis which ended his season last year after just five games. He says he knew he'd miss OTA's, but is pushing to practice in next week's mini camp.
Others joining him on the sideline today were, Terrence McGee, Leodis McKelvin, John DiGiorgio, Pat Thomas, C.J. Hawthorne and P.K. Sam. James Hardy was jogging on the sideline for the first time in OTA's. Jonathan Scott worked on his own. Missing were Josh Reed, Aaron Schobel and Shawn Nelson.
On the field they finally got out of the fieldhouse and into the stadium. Loud music was piped in for most of practice. Protection has been an early problem for the offensive line. Pressure caused a tipped pass by Marcus Buggs and an interception for George Wilson. Buggs and Aaron Maybin combined for a sack, Kyle Williams and Ryan Denney blew past Langston Walker and Andy Levitre like they weren't even there. On consecutive plays, Gerald Washington and Jermaine McGhee had sacks. Alvin Bowen then got in for a sack. Safety turned linebacker Nic Harris made a great play on Derek Schouman pulling out a ball that appeared to be caught. Ellis Lankster continues to impress as he had another interception.
On the offensive side, Trent Edwards scrambled out and found Lee Evans for a touchdown, Edwards then hit Owens for about 30 yards coming across the field, Edwards made a great throw to Evans for about 30 yards on a slant and finally Schouman was wide open for Gibran Hamdan for a long score.
The defense saw a lot of the Wildcat offense today. Whitner said, "It's a copycat league and Miami started off quick last year. They drafted Pat White and it doesn't take Rocket Science to know they'll be using him in the Wildcat."
To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 1 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy tips.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 2 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy tips.; tournament; WGR; Jeremy White; Golf; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 3 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy tips.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 4 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy.; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 5 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 6 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 7 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala; To prepare you for the WGR Celebrity Golf Tournament 2008, this video focuses on Hole 8 at Tri-County Country Club's course. Video hosts Jeremy White and Steve Warzala will share each hole's layout and strategy.; Golf; WGR; Jeremy White; Tri-County Country Club; Steve Warzala;
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