Dolphins have tough decision to make on Philip Wheeler | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Dolphins have tough decision to make on Philip Wheeler

datruth55

datruth55

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Oh look, Dolphins news on Dolphins website. What a concept.

DAVIE - The Miami Dolphins coaches have a tough decision to make when it comes to Philip Wheeler's status for Sunday's season-opener against the New England Patriots.

During last season's 24-20 win over the Patriots, in the second meeting between these two AFC East teams, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick consistently went after Wheeler.

The Dolphins eventually began subbing the team's starting strong side linebacker out the game, replacing him with Jelani Jenkins, but in instanced when Wheeler did come into the game the Patriots ran a no-huddle offense to keep him on the field.

Wheeler, whose 118 tackles led the Dolphins last season, finished 2013 ranked by ProFootballFocus.com as the worst outside linebacker in the NFL. He's since been moved from weakside linebacker to strong side linebacker, but the Dolphins still have him as a starter.

Complicating matters for Sunday's game against New England is the fact Wheeler has been limited by a right thumb injury for the past two weeks.
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Read more: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/...ake-on-philip-wheeler-20140904,0,525028.story
 
I wonder if he really has a thumb injury.
 
Despite the fact that Omar says Wheeler was the strong side linebacker last year he was not. He was weak side while Misi was strong side...Misi came off the field in the nickel...that's really the question. Will it be Misi and Ellerbe in the nickel or will it be Ellerbe and Wheeler in the nickel like last year. Do we move Ellerbe to the middle and bring McCain in (who got some late run at WLB in practice). Does Jenkins come in and play WLB in the nickel.

Don't think we really saw what the plan is during the preseason.
 
Do all things possible to keep Wheeler off the field.
 
Wheeler cannot tackle without opposable thumb

Phillip Wheeler cannot tackle.

And as I type that sentence I'm certain several of you are conjuring jokes about the Dolphins linebacker, who last season struggled to cover, struggled to tackle, basically struggled throughout.

But the seriousness of the sentence is that, indeed, Wheeler is wearing a cast on his right hand to protect a thumb that he fractured (and perhaps had surgically repaired) and he has missed much of practice this week, including Thursday.

And even as Wheeler works some in practices, he's not tackling at all. And without a functioning opposable thumb on that right hand, he cannot tackle with that hand in Sunday's game against New England.

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolp...le-without-opposable-thumb.html#storylink=cpy
 
ha ha pats ran no huddle to keep wheeler on the field...target practice

if he doesnt play whoever takes his place from that 2 deep is gonna wear a target also so it is what it is
 
Albert Romano said:
Wheeler cannot tackle without opposable thumb

Phillip Wheeler cannot tackle.

And as I type that sentence I'm certain several of you are conjuring jokes about the Dolphins linebacker, who last season struggled to cover, struggled to tackle, basically struggled throughout.

But the seriousness of the sentence is that, indeed, Wheeler is wearing a cast on his right hand to protect a thumb that he fractured (and perhaps had surgically repaired) and he has missed much of practice this week, including Thursday.

And even as Wheeler works some in practices, he's not tackling at all. And without a functioning opposable thumb on that right hand, he cannot tackle with that hand in Sunday's game against New England.

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolp...le-without-opposable-thumb.html#storylink=cpy
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10 broken fingers would have ZERO impact on his game.
 
ChambersWI said:
I'd seriously consider just running a 4-2-5 defense against the Pats and use a 3rd safety
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Who would be the 3rd safety? Michael Thomas? He'd be wearing a target too. I mean he made two great plays against Brady last year but Brady was looking for him too. Definitely not putting Walt Aikens out there.
 
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