Philip Wheeler

Last updated

Philip Wheeler
Philip Wheeler.JPG
Wheeler with the Oakland Raiders in 2012
No. 41, 50, 51, 52
Position: Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1984-12-12) December 12, 1984 (age 40)
Columbus, Georgia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
High school: Shaw (Columbus)
College: Georgia Tech
NFL draft: 2008: 3rd round, 93rd pick
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:552
Sacks:6.5
Forced fumbles:4
Fumble recoveries:2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Philip Gregory Wheeler (born December 12, 1984) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 2008 NFL draft. He played college football for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

Contents

Wheeler was also a member of the Oakland Raiders, Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, and Arizona Cardinals.

Early life

In 2000, Wheeler, a sophomore, helped lead the Shaw High School football team to win the Georgia High School Association's AAAA Football State Championship. As a senior, he was named as an Honorable Mention All-Region selection by PrepStar and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution named him as a first team Class AAAA All-State selection.

College career

In the 2005 season, Wheeler recorded 65 total tackles, 11.5 tackles-for-loss, 4.5 sacks, four interceptions, eight passes defended, and one forced fumble. [1] In the 2006 season, he recorded 89 total tackles, 14.5 tackles-for-loss, nine sacks, five passes defended, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. [2] In the 2007 season, he recorded 89 total tackles, nine tackles-for-loss, six sacks, five passes defended, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. [3]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 1+78 in
(1.88 m)
245 lb
(111 kg)
33 in
(0.84 m)
9+34 in
(0.25 m)
4.66 s1.55 s2.65 s4.29 s7.11 s36.5 in
(0.93 m)
10 ft 2 in
(3.10 m)
24 reps
Sources: [4] [5]
Wheeler (#50) with the Indianapolis Colts, 2010. Philip Wheeler 2010.jpg
Wheeler (#50) with the Indianapolis Colts, 2010.

Indianapolis Colts

Wheeler was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round (93rd pick) of the 2008 NFL draft. [6] He played for the Colts from 2008 to 2011. [7]

Oakland Raiders

Wheeler signed a one-year contract with the Oakland Raiders on March 30, 2012. [8] He had a career year totaling 109 tackles, three sacks, and two forced fumbles. [9]

Miami Dolphins

Wheeler signed with the Miami Dolphins on March 12, 2013, to a 5-year, $25 million deal with $13 million guaranteed. [10] Wheeler was brought in to replace Kevin Burnett. Wheeler was released by the Dolphins on March 10, 2015. [11]

San Francisco 49ers

Wheeler was signed by the San Francisco 49ers on April 30, 2015. [12] He was released by the 49ers on September 4. [13]

Atlanta Falcons

Wheeler signed with the Atlanta Falcons on October 20, 2015. [14]

In the 2016 season, Wheeler and the Falcons reached Super Bowl LI, where they faced the New England Patriots on February 5, 2017. In the Super Bowl, he had one total tackle as the Falcons fell in a 34–28 overtime defeat. [15]

Arizona Cardinals

On July 27, 2017, Wheeler signed with the Arizona Cardinals. [16] He was released on September 8, 2017, but was re-signed a few days later. [17] [18] He was released again on September 15, 2017, but re-signed a few days later, only to be released again on September 25. [19] [20]

NFL career statistics

Legend
BoldCareer high

Regular season

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLIntYdsTDLngPDFFFRYdsTD
2008 IND 160141220.01000000000
2009 IND 1676142191.03000011000
2010 IND 1666140210.01000010000
2011 IND 13118548371.03000000000
2012 OAK 161611078323.05000062100
2013 MIA 161611883350.55000070100
2014 MIA 1544635110.03000000000
2015 ATL 92292181.01000001000
2016 ATL 1642818100.03000000000
133665523771756.5250000154200

Playoffs

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLIntYdsTDLngPDFFFRYdsTD
2008 IND 101100.00000000000
2009 IND 337520.00000000000
2010 IND 101010.00000000000
2016 ATL 312200.00000000000
8411830.00000000000

References

  1. "Philip Wheeler 2005 Game Log". Sports Reference . Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  2. "Philip Wheeler 2006 Game Log". Sports Reference . Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  3. "Philip Wheeler 2007 Game Log". Sports Reference . Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  4. "Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  5. "2008 NFL Draft Scout Philip Wheeler College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  6. "2008 NFL Draft Listing". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  7. "Philip Wheeler Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  8. "Raiders agree to deal with LB Wheeler". NFL.com. March 29, 2012. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  9. "Philip Wheeler 2012 Game Log". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  10. Mike, Florio (March 12, 2013). "Dolphins add linebacker Phillip Wheeler". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved September 16, 2017.
  11. Alper, Josh (March 10, 2015). "Dolphins release Philip Wheeler, Shelley Smith". Pro Football Talk. NBCSports.com. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  12. Alper, Josh (April 30, 2015). "49ers sign Philip Wheeler, release Trindon Holliday". Pro Football Talk. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
  13. Alper, Josh (September 4, 2015). "49ers release Philip Wheeler, Joe Looney and Craig Dahl". NBCSports.com. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  14. "Falcons Sign LB Wheeler, Release S Godfrey". Archived from the original on October 9, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  15. "Super Bowl LI – New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons – February 5th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com . Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  16. Williams, Charean (July 27, 2017). "Cardinals sign veteran LB Philip Wheeler". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com.
  17. Williams, Charean (September 8, 2017). "Cardinals activate Scooby Wright, cut Philip Wheeler". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com.
  18. Williams, Charean (September 11, 2017). "Cardinals re-sign Philip Wheeler, cut Scooby Wright". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com.
  19. Root, Jess (September 15, 2017). "Cardinals sign veteran TE Jim Dray, cut LB Philip Wheeler again". Cards Wire. USA Today. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  20. Gantt, Darin (September 20, 2017). "Cardinals bring back linebacker Philip Wheeler again". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com.