SB Nation - Philip Wheeler

Raiders RB Mike Goodson Leaves Practice In Ambulance

Peter Woodburn — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 02:29:40 -0000

Update: Good news all around.

Good news from Raiders: Mike Goodson’s CT scan and MRI test were negative. He has returned to the team’s training-camp headquarters.
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) August 8, 2012

Running back Mike Goodson had a nasty helmet-to-helmet collision with linebacker Philip Wheeler. Goodson was removed from practice on a stretcher and taken to a nearby hospital by an ambulance as a precaution.

Goodson's agent Kennard McGuire said that his client is doing fine, easing fears in what was a very scary situation.

Agent: Mike Goodson doing well - AFC West Blog - ESPN

"I commend the Raiders for responding in the manner in which they did," McGuire wrote in a text message. "Mike is alert and moving his extremities. The team and Mike are taking the proper precautions."

Assuming McGuire isn't jumping the gun this is excellent news. Although it remains to be seen how much time Goodson will miss with a supposed neck injury, it would appear that he missed out on any serious damage.

The Raiders traded offensive lineman Bruce Campbell to the Carolina Panthers for Goodson in the offseason.

Oakland Raiders Cannot Afford Cedric Benson, Even at Veteran Minimum

James Arcellana — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 17:09:46 -0000

The Oakland Raiders spent most of their off season attempting to deal with severe salary cap issues. As a result of being massively over the salary cap to start the off season, the Raiders were forced to let three important players walk away, either through free agency or by being cut. Kamerion Wimbley, Stanford Routt and Michael Bush will all be playing for different teams in 2012, and all three were replaced by players who came at a much smaller number in Shawntae Spencer, Philip Wheeler and Mike Goodson.

Despite all of the moves first year general manager Reggie McKenzie made this off season, the Raiders are still not in a place where they do not have to worry about the salary cap and that means that Cedric Benson, even at a veteran's minimum, is too expensive for the Raiders.

CSN Bay Area's Paul Gutierrez reports that the Raiders have the second least amount of cap space available, after only the Baltimore Ravens, and the Raiders still have two very important draft picks to sign. Both third round pick Tony Bergstrom and 5th round pick Juron Criner have yet to be signed, and both could be impactful players this season, so the Raiders do need to get them signed.

According to Gutierrez, if both Bergstrom and Criner are signed to the minimum allowed under the new collective bargaining agreement, the Raiders would have just over $400,000.00 in salary cap space. Cedric Benson has been playing in the NFL for seven years. The veteran minimum for a player who has been in the NFL for seven to nine years is $825,000.00. That means Benson would cost more than twice what the Raiders would have available after signing their two remaining rookies. Given the lack of quality depth on the Raiders, it is highly unlikely that McKenzie will find someone to cut in order to make room for a fourth running back.

Oakland Raiders Starting Lineup Prediction From CSN Bay Area

James Arcellana — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 19:28:55 -0000

The Oakland Raiders have finished their early off season programs and are not active again until training camp convenes in Napa on July 28th. While things can obviously change, it is never too early to speculate on who the starters will be when the Raiders host the San Diego Chargers on Monday Night Football to start the 2012 campaign.

Paul Gutierrez of CSN Bay Area did just that today on csnbayarea.com. For the most part, picking the Raiders starters is not that difficult as they are fairly thin at a lot of positions and do not have guys capable of really pushing the incumbent starter. Check Gutierrez's starting lineup along with my comments after the jump.

OFFENSE:

QB: Carson Palmer (With a full off season under his belt, Palmer must show if he can still play at a high level this season)

RB: Darren McFadden (The more interesting question is who will back up the injury prone starter)

FB: Marcel Reece (Reece turns a position that is near extinction in the NFL into a serious offensive threat)

WR1: Darrius Heyward-Bey (With a ton of hard work, DHB has gone from a big time flop to a solid receiver)

WR2: Denarius Moore (After a rookie season that had Raiders fans drooling over his potential, Moore hopes to improve in his second year)

Slot: Jacoby Ford (While Ford is the third best receiver on the team, I think that rookie Juron Criner will be the slot receiver, just because the Raiders need a possession type receiver to compliment their speedsters, and the tight end position will not provide that this season)

TE: Brandon Myers (If David Ausberry continues to improve, Myers may lose his job during the season)

LT: Jared Veldheer (From small college to potential pro bowler, Veldheer is a hell of a story)

LG: Cooper Carlisle (I am hoping Tony Bergstrom can push for this spot because Carlisle is way past his prime)

C: Stefen Wisniewski (Young Wiz could anchor this line for years to come, and dominate while doing it)

RG: Mark Brisiel (McKenzie signed this guy because he is a perfect fit for the blocking scheme, look for him to play real well for the Raiders)

RT: Khalif Barnes (Easily the Raiders' weakest position on the offensive line)

DEFENSE:

DE: Lamaar Houston (After a very good rookie season, disappointing sophomore season, the Raiders are hoping Houston will come into his own in his third year)

DT: Tommy Kelly (A different man ever since Richard Seymour came to the Silver and Black)

DT: Richard Seymour (Getting older, but can still play at a high level)

DE: Matt Shaughnessy (After an injury ended his year early last season, Shaugnessy could be a very solid player for the Raiders this season)

WLB: Aaron Curry (Rookie Miles Burris will push Curry for the starting role all season)

MLB: Rolando McClain (Dangerously close to becoming a bust)

SLB: Philip Wheeler (All around solid football player who is looking to show what he can do in a more diverse defense than what he played under for the Indianapolis Colts)

CB: Shawntae Spencer (One half of a completely new set of starting corner backs. Spencer is hoping to show the San Francisco 49ers that they made a mistake in cutting him)

CB: Ronald Bartell (Underrated corner because he has spent his career playing for the St. Louis Rams)

FS: Michael Huff (Still hasn't lived up to his draft status, but has grown into a solid FS)

SS: Tyvon Branch (He just continues to impress and is a very important part of the Raiders defense)

'Jack Of All Trades' Dave Tollefson Excited to Be a Raider

RDreamer — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 21:00:18 -0000

Recently, newty acquired Raiders DE/LB Dave Tollefson conducted a conference call with reporters regarding his signing with the team. He was very excited and upbeat and looked forward to playing for the man who helped draft him, Reggie McKenzie, and his hometown team the Raiders.

"There's a debt there that I feel like I never really got to repay after leaving. It's kind of funny how life works.

Tollefson feels as though the Raiders were the team that gave him a chance to succeed and continue his career rather than languish on Green Bay's practice squad after being drafted in 2006. Now, after having won two Super Bowls as a member of the New York Giants, Tollefson has returned home to the Raiders.

Tollefson feels so strongly about this team that he turned down offers from both Green Bay and Tennessee, places where he may have had more opportunity for immediate success. He is accustomed to excellence, as the Giants during his time there have been a ferocious and feared defense. In order to break the defensive rotation along such stalwarts as Michael Strahan, Osi Umenyiora, Jason Pierre-Paul and Mathias Kiwanuka, Tollefson had to be pretty darn good.

Last year the Raiders started off with a fairly decent defensive line, but injuries took their toll, particularly in the case of Matt Shaughnessy whom I felt was exhibiting the finest play of anyone in the defensive line rotation. Once he went down, the line was in shambles and could neither rush the passer or contain opposing rushers consistently. Shaughnessy should be fine for the upcoming season, but adding a player of Tollefson's caliber adds that much more depth to a position that has been a strength of late for the Raiders.

"Being a jack-of-all-trades is what I've been able to hang my hat on," Tollefson said. "They haven't promised me anything, which is what I want. That's not the style of player I am. There's an opportunity to play, whether that's starting or a backup, a rush guy or a guy that can play the edge in the run. It's going to be a little bit of everything, which is what I love to do."

Tollefson may also play outside linebacker, and this versatility should make it all the easier for the Raiders to implement some 3-4 concepts if they so wish. Tollefson, Aaron Curry, and Philip Wheeler all should be able to play that hybrid linebacker/end role a la Terrell Suggs. Giving an offense multiple looks will be an important factor in the Raiders' defensive success this season, particularly considering they will have to play Peyton Manning twice.

Tollefson prides himself as a player on being able to diagnose and stop the run, which is something the Raiders have lacked prowess in for several years. He brings a strong work ethic and a hard-nosed attitude to this defense, which is something it sorely needs. His presence will enable Dennis Allen and Jason Tarver to get the most out of their defensive schemes.

Oakland Raiders Show Support For Philip Wheeler

Avinash Kunnath — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 22:57:19 -0000

Linebacker Philip Wheeler spent his first four seasons in the NFL with one football team, the Indianapolis Colts. Wheeler was drafted out of Georgia Tech, and even though he didn't play much in his first season. Wheeler put up only 14 tackles in his first season, but then started 23 games and combined for 122 tackles in 2009 and 2010. Wheeler started 11 of 13 games in 2011 and compiled 84 tackles.

Wheeler is now headed to Oakland on a one-year deal to help shore up the Oakland linebacking corps, and he's already feeling the love from Raider Nation. Find out how Raiders fans are treating Wheeler after the jump.

The Raiders fans have already shown the love early and often, and Wheeler has shown his appreciation of the situation. Comcast Sports Net has more in their Raiders Talk section.

Wheeler said he's added "…almost like 2,000 (followers). It was cool, that kind of helped me and my decision, because it showed me how big of a football city (Oakland) is. I mean, Indianapolis was a pretty good football city, but they didn't get involved in the media or show us how much they care about the game. I've always wanted to play in a football city for a legendary team."

To talk about Wheeler and the Raiders, head on over to Silver and Black Pride.

Philip Wheeler Visits Oakland, Free Agent Linebacker Feels The Love From Raider Nation

Scott Coleman — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 03:05:45 -0000

The Oakland Raiders are looking at any and all options to solidify the linebacker position, and free agent Philip Wheeler is the latest free agent linked to the franchise. Wheeler, who spent the last four seasons with the Colts, recently visited Oakland and is looking to potentially sign with the team as their starting outside linebacker.

While visiting the Bay Area, Wheeler tweeted a few things about his visit and came away very impressed with the fan base, notoriously referred to as "Raider Nation". We have those tweets after the page jump...

Here is the first that ignited everything:

On my way to Oakland to see the Raiders. Which team would be better fit for me this season? This is a tuff career choice.
— Philip Wheeler (@Philgood50) March 29, 2012

And the second:

Dang Raider Nation ain't no joke. They deep. Lol
— Philip Wheeler (@Philgood50) March 29, 2012

Finally, the third:

Raider Nation showed love. Preciate that. Legendary place.
— Philip Wheeler (@Philgood50) March 30, 2012

Pretty encouraging words for the Raider fans out there hoping to land the talented linebacker. Wheeler has drawn interest from numerous clubs, including the Colts, and will likely command a pretty decent sized contract. The Raiders have limited funds to work with, but general manager Reggie McKenzie may be able to get creative in the coming days to lure Wheeler to Oakland.

Either way, it's always a good feeling to see a player talk highly of a fan base he hasn't even played a game for yet.

For more on Oakland and their pursuit of free agents across the league, head on over to Silver and Black Pride.

Georgia Tech Football Players React To NCAA Punishment: 'Motivation Is Coming Out Of This'

Jason Kirk — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 22:00:44 -0000

After the NCAA and Georgia Tech revealed that the school's football program is now on four years of probation and the 2009 ACC Championship no longer exists, current and former players took to Twitter to gripe. Nick Claytor might have the best argument -- he wonders whether Phil Smith's broken leg can be vacated too. Names like Tony Hollings, Derrick Morgan and Mario Butler have checked in so far, while Demaryius Thomas has again denied doing anything wrong.

And, yes, a few Georgia Bulldogs had a little fun with the news as well.

Well good thing my ring is in a safe place but this is some bull...less than a minute ago via Echofon Favorite Retweet ReplyAnthony Allen
Ant_Allen

If you aint play sports at Tech stop it wit da #312dollars.. Ur a regular and we barely like you so don't push it!less than a minute ago via UberSocial for BlackBerry Favorite Retweet ReplyT. Hollings
T_Hollings

"@mrbutler2: @Philgood50 ncaa gave gtech the business" it's all y'all fault , lolless than a minute ago via Twitter for iPhone Favorite Retweet ReplyPhilip Wheeler
Philgood50

RT damnhebig: Can youvacate the Post season surgeries so many of us had?How bout@6SeisUno1 breaking his fucking leg on the field. Hypocritesless than a minute ago via Echofon Favorite Retweet ReplyPhil Smith
6SeisUno1

@ESPN_ACC this is a great meeting what are you talking about? Motivation is coming out of all thisless than a minute ago via Echofon Favorite Retweet ReplyDenzel McCoy
TheReal_McCoy91

Im hot..let me get off here b4 someone "hacks my account" and says something crazyless than a minute ago via Seesmic Favorite Retweet ReplyDerrick Morgan
dmorg91

Ahahaha Go Rambling Wreck!!less than a minute ago via TwitBird Favorite Retweet ReplyChristian Glisson
CGlisson7

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