Miami Dolphins Rumors: Philip Wheeler became ‘complacent’

[fisi]

A “Dolphins source” close to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald stated that Wheeler “seemed to become complacent” last year in what was maybe the worst season of his career in the first year of his big contract with the Dolphins. Wheeler has nowhere to go but up going forward, and the Dolphins will have to hope that he can play at a relatively high level in 2014.




Even though Wheeler’s $5 million salary next season will be the fifth-highest on the team, it doesn’t look like he’s a legitimate cap casualty despite rumors that new GM Dennis Hickey could cut ties with him. As Jackson notes, releasing Wheeler wouldn’t really help the team financially, because they would still lose $6.4 million regardless of whether he’s on the roster or not.It simply isn’t wise to release him under that scope, and the only reason to release him is if he were an awful player, way too injury-prone, or a total headcase. He’s none of those three, and it’s clear to me that he can still be a solid starter for the Dolphins. There’s no point in releasing him now, and the Dolphins should simply hope that he plays to his potential going forward- and that result is reasonable enough to expect.


http://nflspinzone.com/2014/03/02/m...edium=Network&utm_campaign=Around the Network

 

[jnewmant]

it's too bad ritchie wasn't also bullying wheeler to the point that he walked out on the team.

 

[ANUFan]

Geez if Wheeler become "complacent" what the heck did R.Jones become?

 

[Patrick_Bateman]

If this is true, and I think this is just another company man making excuses, but if this were true, then my already low opinion of Philip Wheeler just went lower, what a worthless piece of absolute **** if this is true. I can't wait until all traces of Jeff Ireland's idiotic moves are removed from this franchise

 

[BennySwella]

We should draft his replacement in this year's draft.

 

[Coach_Rob]

they should let Jordan take his spot and we bite the bullet with the money and let wheeler back up. I want chris Borland and move Ellerbe over

 

[johngarryvo]

‘complacent’ is not my adjective of choice.. lacking social graces (and proper inner monologue), two syllables: got stupid

 

[mahmacoat]

a fool is a person who thinks a free agent will play as well in the first year of a new deal as he did in the last year of his last contract.

only players who love the game avoid this.

 

[dlockz]

I think Ted Wells should investigate the bullying of Danell ellerbee and Phillip Wheeler by the opposing teams

 

[foozool13]

Jordan should play OLB instead.

 

[LANGER72]

Wheeler is lazy and a poor tackler. He plays to avoid injury.
Draft Moseley and Borland and put those two on the field.
Both of those guys are players that love the game.

Trade Ellerbee and Wheeler or let them play back up.

 

[Zounds]

Complacency is something that can be changed. Phillip Wheeler's faults go way beyond complacency - poor tackling, out of position, bad angles, and bad decisions - and those cant be changed. He is what he is, and we need to be thinking about the long term solution to his position.

 

[Pelorus Jack]

In Jeff Ireland's latest book 'How I Helped Ruin An NFL Team' in chapter 3 there is a full page on Philip Wheeler.

 

[MRojas4]

So....

Some will say it was his first year in a new system....give him time.

Some will say he got his big contract and now got lazy.

So which is it?

 

[JTech194]

This is where the economics of the NFL game gets in the way of the true spirit of football. As an organization, you should be able to have true OPEN COMPETITIONS at all positions regardless of how much money a players makes. If Wheeler is making $5million a year and isn't getting the job done, then he should be benched and made to answer those questions in the media. Especially if you have a young guy that is capable of giving you similar output as the veteran is. If i was a coach, vets would be held to a higher standard and if you're getting paid top dollar, then you better be hands down better than everyone else on the team at your position, otherwise I'd rather go with the younger hungrier player.