UPDATED: Browns continue shake-up, release Whitner. Visits Rams.

[wmc540]

I didn't feel like Mo Alexander showed much of anything. That's not to say that he can't grow, but people seem pretty high on him already.

 

[HitStick]

I'd get over McLeod easier if Hitner was back there

 

[Merlin]

Whitner still has some ball left in him. I'd be good with the Rams bringing him in for depth and teams work, due to TJ rolling to McLeod's responsibilities. He'd make the secondary deeper and under Williams he'd be more productive if/when he sees the field.

Just don't overpay the dude, keep him hungry.

 

[den-the-coach]

Again I trust this regime when it comes to the secondary, Fisher, Gregg Williams, Chuck Cecil, Brandon Fisher & Denard Wilson from a defensive perspective, this coaching staff has held up pretty well.

 

[Ram Pat]

We need FS, not SS.... It won't be pretty if they are thinking Whitner and and McDonald can play at same time.

 

[Mojo Ram]

Maybe in the case of the safeties, Hue Jackson just doesn't value that position enough to pay veteran money. Maybe he feels he can get good enough safety play on the cheap. Works for Fisher.

I can't fault Cleveland for this move. They suck and have needs all over the roster that outweigh the Safety position.

I like Whitner and the Rams secondary could use a little vet savvy back there.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Fisher & Snead will have a big decision to make in less than a yr with safety TJ McDonald...will be interesting to see...........opcorn:

Mo Alexander who finished 7 games for TJ has shown some good ability to be a decent "In The Box Safety" for them. So they have a player ready to step up if they do not come up with the $$ to make TJ happy. However if TJ was able to showcase that not only can he be a top 10 SS in the NFL he can play safety deep in 2016 boy will things get real.....fast for him. I expect to see TJ in TC & pre season @ deep safety with Mo up close.

In the box safeties are much easier to find in the draft. Seems most of them fit that bill anymore. If a team wants to throw mad money at T.J. they would be foolish because of the replaceability of the position. But if they do I am sure the Rams would be able to find another SS, if not just stick with Mo like you said.

 

[PressureD41]

I wouldn't mind putting whitner back there with McDonald. Sounds deadly.

I would love to sign Whitner. He lays the wood back there!

 

[BonifayRam]

Free-agent S Donte Whitner is visiting the Rams, per source with knowledge of the situation.

View: https://twitter.com/ProFootballTalk/status/719224538211463169

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/3691/donte-whitner

Free agent SS Donte Whitner is visiting the Rams.
Whitner is coming off a solid 2015 campaign, earning PFF's No. 28 safety grade among 88 qualifiers. He has recorded just one interception over the past two seasons, however, and Whitner's once-vaunted run defense has begun to decline. The Rams need a safety after losing Rodney McLeod to Philly, though McLeod and Whitner couldn't be more different types of players. Los Angeles might move T.J. McDonald to free safety if Whitner were signed. Apr 10 - 2:06 PM

 

[Ramfansince79]

Dude would be a great addition, I hope we sign him up.

 

[Fatbot]

I am admittedly biased against him because of the taint of Whiner stank on him, but I think he's a guy who's talent is less than his contract, which is the opposite direction of where the Rams should be headed. Plus he's a bad fit for a team that needs a free safety, he's redundant to what we already have in box safeties. The guy is an outspoken ass, no need to add an "I" player on a defense that's built up the "team" concept. Classic guy that when things are going good it's because he's great but if things go wrong it's always someone else's fault, like the coaches or organization. No thanks, pass.

 

[BonifayRam]

How many strong safeties types does this team need?

During the late 2014 season Rams traded two 2015 draft picks for strong safety Mark Barron & then resigned a 5 year, $45,000,000 contract making him the second highest paid Ram. Rams drafted strong safety TJ McDonald in the 3rd rd in 2013 plus TJ is in the discussion to get an extention signed early in this season???? In 2014 draft the Rams selected 3 DB's who have line up & started @ strong safety in College in the 2nd, 4th & 7th rounds (Mo Alexander- Lamarcus Joyner & CB Bryant).

With two young talented strong safeties ready to go in 2016 why would use your cap $$ to pay to bring in a 31 yr old declining SS & not instead invest it in our own much better SS?alm:

 

[Prime Time]

http://www.inquisitr.com/2982690/nf...eaving-cleveland-browns-for-los-angeles-rams/

NFL RUMORS: DONTE WHITNER LEAVING CLEVELAND BROWNS FOR LOS ANGELES RAMS
JACK WINDHAM

NFL rumors are swirling around Donte Whitner. The Cleveland Browns were heavily criticized by many in the National Football League because they delayed the release of the veteran safety. Many felt that he should have been allowed to leave much earlier, so that he could find a new team in free agency. Even though most teams with a need at his position have already filled them, Whitner is still generating interest. According to NFL, the Los Angeles Rams are interested in signing him to a contract.

At 30 years of age, Donte Whitner is still young enough to be able to contribute to an NFL team. The veteran has been to the Pro Bowl on three separate occasions. He still has some of those skills that got him to the game. In fact, there are still a lot of teams that Whitner can start for. The reason why the Cleveland Browns released him was because they were looking to save money and go with a youth movement under new head coach Hue Jackson.

Janoris Jenkins left the Los Angeles Rams to sign a massive contract with the New York Giants a couple of weeks ago. Management knows that they need to upgrade the defensive secondary if they plan on being able to compete in the NFC West next season. That is why the team was more than willing to meet with Donte Whitner.

If signed, Donte Whitner has a very good chance at earning a starting job at one of the safety positions. TJ McDonald started much of last season for the Los Angeles Rams, but he’s coming off of a foot injury, so there’s no way to know for sure what type of player he will be next season. Cody Davis will also be competing for a starting job. The Rams lost Rodney McLeod to the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency.

If signed, Donte Whitner will be joining Coty Sensabaugh as the free agent class for the Los Angeles Rams this year. He was previously with the Tennessee Titans. Sensabaugh is not nearly the same player as Janoris Jenkins, so Whitner is going to need to be sharp at the safety position so that he can help Sensabaugh out. That’s one of the advantages of having a veteran in the backfield.

Normally, Mark Barron would be competing for a starting job at the safety position, but the Los Angeles Rams are making a huge shift with the former Alabama Crimson Tide star. Rams head coach Jeff Fisher and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams are going to utilize Barron in a hybrid position. He will be a combination of a safety and linebacker. Officially, he’ll be listed as a weak side linebacker, but he will be all over the place.

Signing with the Los Angeles Rams would bring Donte Whitner back to the NFC West. He played for the San Francisco 49ers for a couple of years. Teaming with Dashon Goldson, he was able to help lead the team to the NFC Championship game a couple of times. Interestingly enough, the Niners are a team in need of a veteran in the secondary. A reunion between Whitner and San Francisco has not been ruled out yet.

Donte Whitner isn’t quite the impact player that he used to be. However, the veteran can still help an NFL team out. His savvy is quite useful on the field, especially when there are younger teammates in need of a mentor. Whitner is still solid in pass coverage. He’s also a tremendous hitter, which helps to run defense. The Los Angeles Rams would be wise to add someone like him.

 

[Ram65]

https://www.google.com/search?client=opera&q=DONTE+WHITNER&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

Donte Demetrius Whitner is an American football strong safety who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills eighth overall in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ohio State. Wikipedia

Born: July 24, 1985 (age 30), Cleveland, OH
Height: 5′ 10″
Nationality: American
40 yard dash time: 4.4 seconds
School: Ohio State University

He will be 31 by the time camp starts.

Would the Rams move TJ to free safety?

I don't think so. I guess we'll see what Fisher and Co are thinking.

 

[HX76]

He shares the same birthday as me, for that very reason I'm IN.