Donte Whitner on 49ers: ‘We had a chemistry unmatched’
Donte Whitner on 49ers: ‘We had a chemistry unmatched’
Donte Whitner has spent seven of his 10 NFL seasons with the Bills and Browns, franchises that have combined for zero playoff wins since 1999.
In his other three seasons, from 2011-13, Whitner was with the 49ers, who went to three NFC title games and reached a Super Bowl in his tenure.
On Wednesday, the Browns safety looked back a bit wistfully at his time with the 49ers.
Whitner, a Cleveland native, signed a four-year, $28 million deal with the Browns last year.
“We had a chemistry unmatched,” Whitner said.
In his effort to help turn around the Browns, Whitner is attempting to instill the tenacity he saw from Jim Harbaugh as the 49ers head coach.
Asked how to guard against a losing mentality, Whitner, 30, discussed the never-let-up lessons he learned from Harbaugh.
“I don’t really know how you guard against it, but I know what wins football games,” Whitner said.
Coach (Jim) Harbaugh was the one that really kept that thing together and really helped us understand what it takes to win football games.
[...] always staying the course and making sure you put that extra work in, so you’re one step ahead of the football team that you’re going to face.
Whitner puts in extra work during voluntary Friday morning weight-room sessions in which he used to be joined by 49ers running back Shaun Draughn.
The well-traveled Draughn was released by Cleveland on Oct. 20 after he had two carries in five games with the team.
Draughn has 192 rushing yards (3.3 yards a carry) and 22 catches for 163 yards in four games with the 49ers.
“He’s looking really good on the football field,” Whitner said.
Whitner also discussed 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert, among other topics, in his conference call with the Bay Area media.
How do you stay mentally in it at 2-10?
Eventually, we’ll get tired of losing and guys will stop making the same mistakes.
Continue to do the things that get you wins.
What are your impressions of Blaine Gabbert leading the 49ers’ offense?
Do you see him growing more comfortable, or has he looked like same guy each week?
Torrey Smith can take the top off the defense.
Some guys show up for the Friday workout.
How frustrating is it that it hasn’t happened yet?
Especially coming home, and being from here, and having to hear people -- family members, even my own children, say stuff about us losing.
Losing by field goals, getting called offside, getting an interceptions versus Denver in the later parts of the game and overtime …
Nobody is going to believe it until we actually go out there and turn it around and put some wins together.
How do you change the culture and guard against the sense that you’re the same old Browns?
Coach (Jim) Harbaugh was the one that really kept that thing together and really helped us understand what it takes to win football games.
[...] always staying the course and making sure you put that extra work in so you’re one step ahead of the football team that you’re going to face.
What have you noticed about how 49ers LB NaVorro Bowman and NT Ian Williams have come back from their injuries?
Ian is the same type of guy and I hear offensive linemen talk around here -- he’s very active.
How does help you in a leadership role you’ve been to a Super Bowl and had the success that you did with the 49ers?
Yeah, being with the 49ers definitely helped me as a leader, learning from guys like Justin (Smith) of course, Pat (Willis), just everybody that we had there.
[...] no matter what happened during the week, and no matter what happened on the field, when it came to Sundays guys were going to be ready to play football and win games.
Or giving our defensive line a tip from what you’re seeing on film or a DB, just everybody.