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Interesting take on Whitner's comments....
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Donte Whitner guarantees that the Buffalo Bills will make the playoffs this year.
Whoa!!! We got our top story of the day. Brash third-year safety says his team will win games!
Aw, he's just trying to make a name for himself on ESPN's "SportsCenter," like that guy from Pittsburgh -- what's his name? -- who said the Steelers would beat the undefeated Patriots late last season. Self-promoting jerk! At the very least, he needs to be tested for some mind-altering drug.
Here's my question: Why do we get so bent out of shape when a player stands up for his team? I know as a former beat writer the last thing I wanted to hear out of the mouths of players was, "We'll do our best and whatever happens happens?" We hate it when they give the company line, yet we hold them up for ridicule or criticism when they say what they really feel.
What should Whitner say? "I think if all goes right, if we catch a few breaks, we have an excellent chance to go .500."
For the record, he didn't call a news conference, didn't stand up at a podium, didn't tell a pack of reporters to turn on their recorders because he had something really important to announce, then make the biggest proclamation this side of "7-Eleven is giving away free Slurpees!" No, Whitner was asked by a writer for The Sporting News if he expected the Bills to make the playoffs. Here's a franchise that's been down since the Music City Miracle but has shown bits of promise in the last year. Is Whitner supposed to throw cold water on his teammates and fans and say, "Are you out of your mind? Name nine teams in the conference we're better than. I can't."
The Bills need leaders and Whitner is willing to step up and try to be to Buffalo what Brian Dawkins has been to Philadelphia. When you're taken with the eighth overall pick in the NFL draft, isn't that what you're supposed to do? Whitner is already showing leadership qualities by working with 2008 first-round pick Leodis McKelvin, a cornerback, even housing the rookie until he finds his own place.
"Do I expect us to make the playoffs?" he answered TSN. "I'm guaranteeing it."
These type of guarantees are as common as a losing lottery ticket, oftentimes not to be taken seriously by rational sports people. Yet, the media runs big-time with them every single time.
.......I don't know if Buffalo can make the playoffs this season; I don't really care. I just don't see Whitner's comment so much a guarantee as a vote of confidence in his teammates. And maybe a challenge.
What's so wrong with that?
Whoa!!! We got our top story of the day. Brash third-year safety says his team will win games!
Aw, he's just trying to make a name for himself on ESPN's "SportsCenter," like that guy from Pittsburgh -- what's his name? -- who said the Steelers would beat the undefeated Patriots late last season. Self-promoting jerk! At the very least, he needs to be tested for some mind-altering drug.
Here's my question: Why do we get so bent out of shape when a player stands up for his team? I know as a former beat writer the last thing I wanted to hear out of the mouths of players was, "We'll do our best and whatever happens happens?" We hate it when they give the company line, yet we hold them up for ridicule or criticism when they say what they really feel.
What should Whitner say? "I think if all goes right, if we catch a few breaks, we have an excellent chance to go .500."
For the record, he didn't call a news conference, didn't stand up at a podium, didn't tell a pack of reporters to turn on their recorders because he had something really important to announce, then make the biggest proclamation this side of "7-Eleven is giving away free Slurpees!" No, Whitner was asked by a writer for The Sporting News if he expected the Bills to make the playoffs. Here's a franchise that's been down since the Music City Miracle but has shown bits of promise in the last year. Is Whitner supposed to throw cold water on his teammates and fans and say, "Are you out of your mind? Name nine teams in the conference we're better than. I can't."
The Bills need leaders and Whitner is willing to step up and try to be to Buffalo what Brian Dawkins has been to Philadelphia. When you're taken with the eighth overall pick in the NFL draft, isn't that what you're supposed to do? Whitner is already showing leadership qualities by working with 2008 first-round pick Leodis McKelvin, a cornerback, even housing the rookie until he finds his own place.
"Do I expect us to make the playoffs?" he answered TSN. "I'm guaranteeing it."
These type of guarantees are as common as a losing lottery ticket, oftentimes not to be taken seriously by rational sports people. Yet, the media runs big-time with them every single time.
.......I don't know if Buffalo can make the playoffs this season; I don't really care. I just don't see Whitner's comment so much a guarantee as a vote of confidence in his teammates. And maybe a challenge.
What's so wrong with that?
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