ORCHARD PARK — It would be easy to understand if Donte Whitner felt pretty confident after his first 15 quarters as a member of the Buffalo Bills.

After all, the rookie strong safety had already won the NFL defensive rookie of the month award for September and was a starter.

But in just one play, Whitner learned just how difficult — and scary — life in the big leagues can be.

With the Bills nursing a five-point lead against Minnesota in Week 4, the Vikings were on a two-minute drill. With the Bills back in a zone, Vikings receiver Marcus Robinson streaked down field. Quarterback Brad Johnson threw deep, Whitner was late in coverage and it looked like the Vikings might steal a win.

“I messed up,” Whitner said. “I was supposed to read that guy and get over the top. I didn’t get over the top, so it was my fault.”

Luckily for Whitner, Johnson’s throw was an inch too long and it slipped through Robinson’s outstretched hands. The Bills left with a win, while Whitner took home a learning experience.

“Don’t take anything for granted,” he said. “Do everything right until the last whistle.”

There’s been plenty Whitner has done correctly through the first four games. Forced into the starting lineup because of an injury to veteran Matt Bowen, the Ohio State product has shown why the Bills went against the so-called draft experts and took Whitner with the eighth overall pick in April’s draft.

When Whitner’s name was called in April, a collective “who?” echoed through Western New York. With quarterbacks like Jay Cutler and Matt Leinart on the board — not to mention a couple highly-touted defensive tackles — Whitner wasn’t on the minds of the media or fans. But he’s proven to be a good fit in defensive coordinator Perry Fewell’s version of the Tampa-2 defense.

Whitner’s tied for sixth on the team with 23 tackles, has two passes defensed and recorded an interception of Tom Brady in the season opener at New England.

Asked if he thought he was off to a good start, Whitner doesn’t miss a beat.

“No, we could be 4-0,” he said.

But what about winning defensive rookie of the month?

“I mean, winning that is nice, it’s a good start, but I want to win defensive rookie of the year,” he said.

Defensive backs coach George Catavolos takes it one step further.

“Donte doesn’t care about winning awards,” he said. “It’s nice that somebody thinks he played well enough to win that award, but that’s not what he’s about.”

It’s that mentality that has endeared Whitner to the Bills coaching staff and fans.

“We know he loves football,” Catavolos said. “He studies hard, he practices hard. He’s had his rough starts, but he’s gotten through.”

Whitner’s NFL education will continue today when the Bills meet the Chicago Bears at legendary Soldier Field. Bears quarterback Rex Grossman is fifth in the NFL in passing yards, so it’s safe to assume he’ll look to make a play down the field.

Whitner will again start next to fellow rookie Ko Simpson today.

“We’re both learning together. We just want to go out there and make plays,” Whitner said.

Contact Jay Skurski at 693-1000, Ext. 117.