Philip Wheeler
Philip Gregory Wheeler (born December 12, 1984) is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Georgia Tech.
Wheeler with the Oakland Raiders in 2012 | |||||||||||||
Free agent | |||||||||||||
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Position: | Linebacker | ||||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||||
Born: | Columbus, Georgia | December 12, 1989||||||||||||
Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||||
Weight: | 245 lb (111 kg) | ||||||||||||
Career information | |||||||||||||
High school: | Columbus (GA) Shaw | ||||||||||||
College: | Georgia Tech | ||||||||||||
NFL Draft: | 2008 / Round: 3 / Pick: 93 | ||||||||||||
Career history | |||||||||||||
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* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||
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Career NFL statistics as of 2016 | |||||||||||||
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Wheeler has also played for the Oakland Raiders, Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers, and Atlanta Falcons.
Early years
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
Indianapolis Colts
Wheeler was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round (93rd pick) of the 2008 NFL Draft.[4] He played for the Colts from 2008 to 2011.[5]
Oakland Raiders
Wheeler signed a one-year contract with the Oakland Raiders on March 30, 2012. He had a career year totaling 109 tackles, three sacks, and two forced fumbles.[6][7]
Miami Dolphins
Wheeler signed with the Miami Dolphins on March 12, 2013 to a 5-year, $25 million deal with $13 million guaranteed.[8] Wheeler was brought in to replace Kevin Burnett. Wheeler was released by the Dolphins on March 10, 2015.[9]
San Francisco 49ers
Wheeler was signed by the San Francisco 49ers on April 30, 2015.[10] He was released by the 49ers on September 4.[11]
Atlanta Falcons
Wheeler signed with the Atlanta Falcons on October 20, 2015.[12]
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.[13]
References
- "Philip Wheeler 2005 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
- "Philip Wheeler 2006 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
- "Philip Wheeler 2007 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
- "2008 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
- "Philip Wheeler Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
- Raiders agree to 1-year deal Philip Wheeler to fill void at OLB
- "Philip Wheeler 2012 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
- Mike, Florio (March 12, 2013). "Dolphins add linebacker Phillip Wheeler". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved September 16, 2017.
- Alper, Josh (March 10, 2015). "Dolphins release Philip Wheeler, Shelley Smith". Pro Football Talk. NBCSports.com. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
- Alper, Josh. "49ers sign Philip Wheeler, release Trindon Holliday". Pro Football Talk. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
- Alper, Josh (September 4, 2015). "49ers release Philip Wheeler, Joe Looney and Craig Dahl". NBCSports.com. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on October 9, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons - February 5th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
- Williams, Charean (July 27, 2017). "Cardinals sign veteran LB Philip Wheeler". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com.
- Williams, Charean (September 8, 2017). "Cardinals activate Scooby Wright, cut Philip Wheeler". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com.
- Williams, Charean (September 11, 2017). "Cardinals re-sign Philip Wheeler, cut Scooby Wright". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com.
- "Cardinals sign veteran TE Jim Dray, cut LB Philip Wheeler again". USAToday.com. September 15, 2017.
- Gantt, Darin (September 20, 2017). "Cardinals bring back linebacker Philip Wheeler again". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com.