Whitner case pushed back to July 31

Jun 19, 2009 - 4:45 PM CLEVELAND(AP) -- The disorderly conduct case against Buffalo Bills defensive back Donte (DAWN'-tay) Whitner has been pushed back to July 31, but won't interfere with his preseason workouts.

Whitner appeared in Cleveland Municipal Court on Friday on allegations of trying to force his way past officers dealing with a crowd outside a nightclub in April. He's charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Whitner's attorney, Larry Zukerman, told Judge Angela Stokes that both sides were involved in talks about a plea deal. With the agreement of the defense and prosecution, the judge said Whitner could skip next month's hearing because of preseason workouts.

Zukerman and the prosecutor, Bryan Fritz, declined to elaborate on the negotiations.