HEADLINES

Philip Wheeler

NFC East Notes: Kelly, Giants, USC, Cowboys

October 15th, 2015 at 2:50pm CST by Zachary Links

The Eagles are 2-3 and Southern Cal just fired coach Steve Sarksian. Naturally, people have started connecting Chip Kelly, who was a successful coach with Oregon, to the Trojans. At a Thursday morning press conference, Kelly did his best to quiet down that talk. Kelly said that no one from USC, or any college, has contacted him about its head coaching opening, as Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer tweets. Kelly went on to say that he hopes to reach a level of success like Giants coach Tom Coughlin so that he doesn’t have to answer questions about returning to college football.

Here’s more out of the NFC East..

  • Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara will be out for 2-4 weeks with a partial pectoral tear, Coughlin told reporters (via the Giants on Twitter).
  • Former Colts/Dolphins/Raiders linebacker Philip Wheeler was among those working out for the Giants on Wednesday, according to ESPN.com’s Field Yates (on Twitter). Over the course of his seven-year career, he has played in 108 games (60 starts). Overall, he has registered 455 tackles, 5.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. In 2013 with the Dolphins, he led the team with a career-high 118 tackles. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) rated Wheeler as the 18th best outside linebacker in a 3-4 set last season, giving him an overall grade of 2.6.
  • The Giants also worked out defensive backs Brandon McGee, Garry Peters, Greg Reid, and Dax Swanson this week, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com tweets. Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (on Twitter) adds wide receiver A.J. Jenkins of Illinois to that list.
  • Cowboys special teams coach Rich Bisaccia could have interest in the South Carolina job recently vacated by Steve Spurrier, as Charean Williams of the Star-Telegram writes.

Extra Points: Browns, Cowboys, Bears, Jags

October 6th, 2015 at 9:10pm CST by Zachary Links

Owners are batting around different ideas with regards to Los Angeles but they’re also considering making a major change to the preseason, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The NFL is considering a reduction in preseason games, going from four to three.

From the outside, it’s hard to imagine owners giving up money in the preseason without getting it back elsewhere. In the past, there has been speculation that the owners and the NFLPA could reach an agreement to expand the regular season beyond 16 games and I’d imagine that could be on the table in the next round of CBA talks if the preseason is reduced.

Here’s more from around the NFL..

  • Browns coach Mike Pettine insists his team is making improvements and he’s not planning any major changes to his disappointing defense, Tom Withers of The Associated Press writes. The Chargers gained 438 yards against Cleveland on Sunday and the Raiders got 468 yards against them in the week prior.
  • Rainer Sabin of The Dallas Morning News believes that the Cowboys will go to the free agent market to find a replacement for injured running back Lance Dunbar.
  • There’s a good chance the Bears will re-sign undrafted rookie linebacker John Timu to the practice squad, provided he clears waivers tomorrow, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (on Twitter).
  • Linebackers Emmanuel Acho and Philip Wheeler worked out for the Jaguars on Monday, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan (on Twitter).

49ers Release Philip Wheeler

September 4th, 2015 at 11:47am CST by Zachary Links

The 49ers have released linebacker Philip Wheeler, a source tells Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter). Wheeler was dealing with a hamstring issue for most of camp, but he’s finally healthy and notched two sacks on Thursday night, as Getlin notes (link). Wheeler had a week 1 roster bonus for $130K with the 49ers, as Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap tweets.

As a veteran with experience, Wheeler could be picked up rather quickly by another team in need of a linebacker. The 30-year-old signed on with San Francisco in late April. Wheeler has spent time with the Colts, Raiders, and Dolphins over the course of his seven-year career and in total, he has played in 108 games (60 starts). For his career, he has registered 455 tackles, 5.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. In 2013 with the Dolphins, he led the team with a career-high 118 tackles. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) rated Wheeler as the 18th best outside linebacker in a 3-4 set last season, giving him an overall grade of 2.6.

 

49ers Sign Philip Wheeler

April 30th, 2015 at 2:28pm CST by Zachary Links

The 49ers announced that they have signed linebacker Philip Wheeler. In related moves, the team also released wide receiver Trindon Holliday and waived guard Fou Fonoti and wide receiver Lance Lewis.

Wheeler, 30, has spent time with the Colts, Raiders, and Dolphins over the course of his seven-year career. In total, he has played in 108 games (60 starts) and has registered 455 tackles, 5.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. In 2013 with the Dolphins, he led the team with a career-high 118 tackles. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) rated Wheeler as the 18th best outside linebacker in a 3-4 set last season, giving him an overall grade of 2.6.

Holiday, a kick return specialist, appeared in the team’s season finale against the Cardinals and returned three kickoffs for 83 yards. Fonoti never saw the field for the Niners after being placed on IR in late July. Lewis, meanwhile, spent the 2014 season on SF’s taxi squad before signing a reserve/future deal in December 2014.

West Notes: D. Thomas, Wheeler, Tate

March 30th, 2015 at 4:54pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are a few Monday afternoon updates from out of the AFC and NFC West divisions….

  • Demaryius Thomas, who has yet to sign his franchise tender, won’t take part in Peyton Manning‘s annual workouts at Duke or attend the Broncos‘ offseason program, the star wideout said today, according to Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com. It’s not unusual for a player who receives the franchise tag to skip his team’s spring workouts, and Thomas is still hoping that he and the team can work out a longer-term deal. “My agent is dealing with that right now,” Thomas said. “I’m in the loop, but I’m letting [GM John] Elway and my agent handle that, come up with something.”
  • Former Dolphins linebacker Philip Wheeler is visiting the 49ers today, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Wheeler saw most of his 384 defensive snaps last season as an outside linebacker in Miami’s 4-3 scheme, but presumably the Niners are viewing him as an inside linebacker, after Patrick Willis and Chris Borland retired.
  • Rapoport also passes along word of another visit, tweeting that former Bengals receiver and return man Brandon Tate visited the Chiefs. Tate caught just 31 passes during his four years in Cincinnati, but returned more than 250 combined punts and kicks during that stretch.

Dolphins Release Philip Wheeler

March 10th, 2015 at 5:13pm CST by Rob DiRe

TUESDAY, 5:13pm: The Dolphins made Wheeler’s release official today, posting the news on the team’s Twitter account.

SATURDAY, 2:33pm: The Dolphins have decided to release linebacker Philip Wheeler, designating him as a post-June 1st release, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN (via Twitter).

Wheeler played less than 400 snaps for the team in 2014, and has generally been thought of as a disappointment since signing with the team in 2013.

James Walker of ESPN writes that Wheeler struggled versus both the run and the pass in 2014, and that opposing teams recognized him as a liability on defense (via Twitter).

By designating him as a post-June 1st cut the team will be able to save $3MM on their salary cap this offseason, according to OverTheCap.com.

Dolphins Trying To Trade Ellerbe, Wheeler

March 10th, 2015 at 7:57am CST by Luke Adams

We heard over the weekend that the Dolphins were about to release linebacker Philip Wheeler, and fellow linebacker Dannell Ellerbe has long been viewed as a potential cap casualty as well. For now though, both players remain on Miami’s roster. According to Alex Marvez of Fox Sports (via Twitter), the reason the Dolphins haven’t cut either player is that the team continues to try to trade both linebackers before the new league year begins.

Of course, technically, trades can’t be finalized until after the new league year gets underway, but I’d expect the Dolphins hope to reach an agreement on a deal by this afternoon and then make it official shortly thereafter.

While Miami may be holding out hope for a taker for one or both of the linebackers, the odds of a deal appear slim. After all, the club’s intention to release Wheeler has already been reported, so it seems unlikely that any team would give up anything of value for a part-time player with a 2015 salary of nearly $3MM. As for Ellerbe, his base salary for the coming year is $8.425MM, and he spent almost the entire 2014 season on injured reserve with a hip injury, so his trade value isn’t exactly through the roof either.

By the sounds of it, the Dolphins are a good bet to move on from both players whether or not they find a suitor on the trade market.

AFC Mailbags: Tannehill, Bowe, Richardson

December 6th, 2014 at 8:50am CST by Ben Levine

It’s Saturday morning, and ESPN.com’s NFL writers are opening their mailbags and answering questions from readers. Let’s take a look at some of the interesting notes from the AFC…

  • Ryan Tannehill‘s fifth-year option is worth $15MM, and James Walker believes the hefty price could prompt the Dolphins to start extension talks with their quarterback this offseason.
  • Walker can’t envision the Dolphins retaining the same linebacker core next season, and he guesses that either Philip Wheeler or Dannell Ellerbe will be a cap casualty.
  • Looking towards the draft, Rich Cimini thinks there’s a possibility that Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston will be off the board when it’s the Jets time to pick. The writer suggests the team could instead focus on drafting a wide receiver or cornerback with their first-rounder.
  • Adam Teicher opines that Chiefs wideout Dwayne Bowe is likely playing his final four games with the team. Reversely, he believes linebacker Tamba Hali will ultimately stick around.
  • Mike Wells writes that the Colts will pursue a free agent running back, regardless of how Trent Richardson finishes the season.
  • Michael DiRocco is under the impression that the Jaguars will focus on drafting a pass-rusher with their first-round pick. While some may be hoping for an offensive lineman, the writer says the team could select a solid prospect in the middle rounds.

Dolphins Notes: Kouandijo, Hartline, Linebackers, Draft

April 19th, 2014 at 10:00am CST by Matt Feminis

With the obligatory, pre-draft, take-with-a-grain-of-salt disclaimer in mind, the Dolphins reportedly have eyes for Alabama right tackle prospect Cyrus Kouandijo with the 19th overall pick, according to Andrew Abramson of the Palm Beach Post.

Abramson’s piece included a few Dolphins news nuggets:

  • The team is not as high on Virginia tackle prospect Morgan Moses because of work ethic and off-the-field concerns. This is noteworthy because offensive coordinator Bill Lazor coached Moses for three seasons at UVA (2010-12).
  • The team is likely to go offense with its second-round pick, too, be it a guard or receiver.
  • According to a source, a second-round receiver “would likely mean the departure of receiver Brian Hartline after the 2014 season.” Releasing Hartline after next year would save $4MM.
  • Abramson quelled speculation the team will take Alabama inside linebacker C.J. Mosley: “Miami is planning to move Koa Misi from strong-side linebacker to middle linebacker. Dannell Ellerbe, who struggled last season, would move from the middle to the weak side. Philip Wheeler, who also had a sub-par year, would move from weak-side to strong-side linebacker.”
  • Ellerbe ($7.4MM cap hit) and Wheeler ($4.4MM) are candidates to be cut after the season with “minimal cap consequences if they don’t perform well in 2014.”
  • The team is high on Alabama defensive lineman Ed Stinson, a stout run defender who would be a mid-round option.

AFC East Links: Jets, Dolphins, Albert

February 24th, 2014 at 10:08pm CST by Ben Levine

While various reports may claim the contrary, the Jets are a “realistic possible landing spot” for quarterback Michael Vick, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reports (video link). Rapoport cites the team’s desire for a veteran alternative to Geno Smith, as well as Vick’s connection to offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg. 

A few other notes from one of the Jets’ rivals in the AFC East…

  • The Dolphins and Brent Grimes continue to make progress, and the cornerback is “pretty optimistic” about returning to Miami, writes Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Grimes also said that the franchise tag has not been brought up in negotiations.
  • In the same article, Jackson mentions that the Dolphins have not yet made offers to impending free agents Randy Starks or Paul Soliai. The team has expressed interest in bringing back both players, though.
  • The Dolphins have made signing offensive tackle Branden Albert a “high priority,” league sources told Ian Rapoport (via NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal). The Cardinals are also zeroing in on Albert.
  • Dolphins’ Philip Wheeler isn’t likely to be a casualty of the June 1st cut day, writes Ryan Feder of OverTheCap.com.