Donte Whitner, Mike Pettine Play Big Roles In Cleveland Browns Loss To The Oakland Raiders
Sep 27, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Oakland Raiders fullback Marcel Reece (45) breaks the tackles of Cleveland Browns free safety Tashaun Gipson (39) and Cleveland Browns strong safety Donte Whitner (31) during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Raiders won 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
3. The Time Might Be Up For Whitner
Whitner....Whelp... pic.twitter.com/CzWm6k0Ryt
— Mike Woellert (@Mike_Woellert) September 20, 2015
I was hoping I wouldn’t have to pick a fellow Clevelander and Buckeye, but there was no choice. For the second week in a row, Donte Whitner has struggled in coverage and with making tackles. Somehow he managed to have four total tackles, which is hard to believe since he missed a majority of them. He was also one-on-one with Amari Cooper on numerous plays and that was a nightmare in the making. Cooper averaged 20.6 YAC and had 105 yards total with five receptions. It wasn’t all his fault, but his lack of covering skills didn’t make things any better. He was also late with help just as he was last week on a touchdown to Andre Holmes in the first quarter.
When will it stop?
Donte Whitner covering Amari Cooper Probably isn't the matchup the Browns want. #Browns
— Hayden Grove (@H_Grove) September 27, 2015
He had one good play on a pass breakup of tight end Mychal Rivera and that’s where it ended. Whitner missed on a huge tackle to Marcel Reece that led to a 55 yard gain. It’s one thing to give up that many yards to a wideout or a halfback. It’s another thing to give it up to a fullback even though Reece is one of the better backs in the NFL. He has to learn to wrap up and complete tackles as does the rest of the team.
#Browns S Donte Whitner just missed another tackle. He's missed a ton in 3 games.
— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) September 27, 2015
The arm tackling attempts right now is embarrassing. #Browns
— Dustin Fox (@DustinFox37) September 27, 2015
The Browns brought in numerous receivers last week along with safeties. This could possibly be a message being sent to Whitner and Gipson, who has also struggled this season. You can’t be successful trying to get the “big hit” or “knockout.” It all leads back to fundamentals these guys are taught in Pop Warner.
If he doesn’t stop diving and leaning in with his shoulder to make tackles, he could find himself looking for another team or out of the league.
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