Panthers sign James Whitley CB

former Packer, Ram, Wolverine.

I got nothing more to offer

 

cuncussed

A smaller version of Morgan?

http://www.packers.com/news/stories/2004/10/07/3/

 

look out super bowl! here we come!

 

Remember all those linebackers we signed off the street in 2001?

Ahhhh. memories.....

 

Ughhhhh

Whitley's release sends message
Lions embarrassed special teams
By TOM SILVERSTEIN
[email protected]
Posted: Oct. 20, 2004

Green Bay - The Green Bay Packers' special-team units learned the consequences of failing to execute containment on kickoff and punt returns in the 38-10 victory over Detroit.

Packers/NFL

And just in case they didn't fully absorb it, coach Mike Sherman emphasized the point by releasing safety James Whitley on Tuesday.

Had the Packers not dominated in all other phases of the game, their performance on special teams Sunday might have cost them a ballgame it was so bad. They allowed the Lions' Eddie Drummond to average 30.3 yards per kickoff return and 24.0 per punt return.

"It's as bad a breakdowns as I've had in my coaching career," special teams coach John Bonamego said. "I can't remember a day that bad. I don't usually forget things like that."

Bonamego refused to identify any of the culprits of the misdeeds performed in the game, but Whitley was clearly one of the worse offenders.

On the opening kickoff, he allowed his man to block him inside and allowed Drummond to slip outside for a 37-yard return. In the third quarter, after the Packers had taken a 24-10 lead on safety Darren Sharper's interception return for a touchdown, Whitley ran so far inside that Drummond was able to run all the way across the field for a 58-yard kickoff return.

Though neither Sherman nor Bonamego said that Whitley's mistakes were the reason he was released, they certainly didn't bode well for his future on the units. The Packers re-signed linebacker Nick Rogers, a top-flight special teams player, to fill Whitley's spot on the roster.

Whitley wasn't the only one who didn't do a good job of providing containment. Rookie cornerback Jason Horton also allowed Drummond the sideline on a 29-yard kickoff return at the end of the third quarter.

"That's Day One, basic installation," Bonamego said. "We just didn't do it. Sometimes it's ultimately my responsibility and I take responsibility."

Bonamego said there was no need to scrap what the Packers are doing because he still believes the scheme is sound. He said would have to find someone else to handle Whitley's job as the contain man on the kickoffs now that he is gone.

He thinks his players got the message about the importance of containment.

"I think it was just a wake-up call and we were very fortunate it didn't cost us a football game," Bonamego said. "That's been my approach to it. They know what containment is. Now have chance to see what the consequences are when you don't execute at the highest level and with impeccable detail."

 

nice.

 

WTF!!!??? Are we TRYING to finish the season 1-15? :scared2:

 

Here's the "positive" spin from our website:

Panthers sign DB Whitley
November 10, 2004

Panthers.com

The Carolina Panthers have signed free agent defensive back James Whitley, the team announced Wednesday. He replaces safety Travares Tillman, who was placed on injured reserve Tuesday with a broken arm.
Whitley (5-11, 185 pounds) has played in 25 games with one start in three NFL seasons with St. Louis and Green Bay and has recorded 39 tackles, three sacks, three passes defensed and one fumble recovery in addition to notching 25 special teams tackles. He saw action in the Packers first six contests this year, posting one tackle on defense and four stops on special teams, before being waived on October 19. In 2003, Whitley appeared in three contests for Green Bay after being claimed off waivers from St. Louis, where he played in three games.

Signed as a free agent by the Rams in 2002, Whitley saw action in 13 contests, starting one, and registered 38 tackles, three sacks, one fumble recovery and three passes defensed to go along with 13 special teams stops. He spent his first pro season in 2001 with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. A four-year letterman at Michigan, Whitely totaled 187 tackles, six interceptions, five sacks and 28 passes defensed for the Wolverines.

 

I don't know much of anything about this guy. I will say however that - in my opinion - cutting someone for making a mistake in a game or as an "example" to others is generally an impulsive (and borderline stupid) move.

 

Sherman impulsive? Never!