Philip Wheeler sees good future with Oakland Raiders – NFL News
Oakland Raiders’ new linebacker, Philip Wheeler, who has recently joined the team after parting ways with Indianapolis Colts, has said that he sees a good future with his new team in which, he said, there are many other good linebackers.
Wheeler started his professional National Football League (NFL) career with Colts in 2008. Last month, he signed a one-year contract with the Raiders, who desperately needed a run defender especially after releasing Kamerion Wimbley.
With Colts, Wheeler got his first start in third year of his contract. He started 11 out of 13 games in the last NFL season, but was not able to gain the status of a regular starter.
However, Wheeler thinks that his talent and skills will be utilised in a better way at Oakland and the player is looking forward to having a good experience with the team.
After leaving the Colts, Wheeler was contacted by a few other teams including Miami Dolphins, but he opted to join Raiders, apparently thinking that he will get more exposure here.
He said
“Yeah, it’s a tough decision any time you’re moving, especially if I have an opportunity to move on the other side of the country. To move towards a defence, it looks like this defence is catered to linebackers and the way, specifically to the way I play,
I think.”
Wheeler also said that Raiders already have some good linebackers, who are young and talented. He also said that he has opportunity to progress at a great pace with Raiders. He said:
“It feels good to be around other good linebackers. It seems like it’s already a decent line-backing corps here, pretty good line-backing corps. They’re young just like myself so I feel like this is a great opportunity to build something here.”
Wheeler has also played with veteran quarterback, Peyton Manning, who has also been recently released by the Colts after playing for the franchise for 14 years.
Peyton has now joined the Denver Broncos, who are one of the rivals of Raiders in the American Football Conference (AFC) West division.
Hiring Wheeler can be beneficial for Raiders as the player thinks that since he has played and practised with Peyton, he could be beneficial to Raiders when they will Broncos in next season.
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