Donte Whitner Added to Pro Bowl
While many have attacked GM Ray Farmer for the two 1st round picks, Justin Gilbert and Johnny Manziel, his first couple free agent targets have been excellent. Farmer targeted Donte Whitner and Karlos Dansby early in free agency and they paid dividends.
Dansby was fast and active in both the run and pass game. He showed what happens when an active, fast and instinctual player leads the middle of the defense. His presence and performance made Craig Robertson look better and was a great mentor for rookie Christian Kirksey.
Whitner, the Cleveland and Ohio State product, was the type of leader and hard hitter in the secondary that Farmer wanted to help the Mike Pettine defense. The Cavs chose Whitner over incumbent T.J. Ward. Whitner hit holes in the run game and receivers in the passing game. His value wasn’t just on the field but also in trying to change culture in Cleveland.
Today Whitner was moved from Pro Bowl Alternative to Pro Bowl roster:
#Browns safety Donte Whitner said Browns GM Ray Farmer called him this morning and informed him he's been added to the Pro Bowl roster.
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) January 19, 2015
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As the alternative it was always likely that Whitner would get on the roster. Reports are that he either is replacing Kam Chancellor or Earl Thomas, the Seattle Seahawks starting safety combo.
The Pro Bowl selection is validation of Farmer’s choice and Whitner’s decision to come back home. Donte was vocal about his belief that the Browns were ready to compete and that was why he returned to Cleveland.
For the first half of the season it seemed his belief was valid. The team fell apart to end the season but with Whitner joining Tashaun Gipson and Joe Haden as the Browns Pro Bowl defensive backs. That defensive backfield gives a ton of hope going forward into next season.
What play do you remember most from Donte Whitner’s first season with his hometown team?
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