MatatoGT
Damn Good Rat
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2002
- Messages
- 1,487
Not sure if this has been posted yet, but needs to be:
from http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/preview07/columns/story?columnist=feldman_bruce&id=2968375
The Best Blitzing Linebacker
No defensive coordinator causes more headaches for an opposing quarterback than Georgia Tech's Jon Tenuta, who loves to attack with his myriad of blitz packages. Tenuta has groomed more than his share of standout linebackers. He's got another gem in senior middle linebacker Philip Wheeler.
Lee Coleman/WireImage.com
Phillip Wheeler's blitzes fuel Georgia Tech's attacking defense.
Wheeler, who stands 6-2 and 230 pounds, has played all three linebacker positions for the Yellow Jackets, serving as a free-wheeling force coming off the weakside, tracking tight ends from the strongside and anchoring the middle as he does now. Wheeler isn't a big talker or an oversized personality, but he is an explosive athlete who has really matured since coming to Tech. Three years ago, he was undisciplined and frequently was caught out of position. Last season, Wheeler became more of a thinking man's linebacker and fit well into this scheme. His timing is often impeccable; Tech loves to get Wheeler matched up on backs after he flies in on a delayed blitz behind stunting Yellow Jackets D-linemen. Last season he notched nine sacks, and the havoc he caused probably led to twice that many.
"He's a freak of an athlete," said a line coach whose team played against Tech last season. "You don't want to have him matched up with your tailback, but [Tenuta] does such a good job with his pressure packages, that's usually what you're stuck with. And then Wheeler just tosses your guy. He's really good with his hands.
"He was the best linebacker we saw last season."
If this has already been brought up, apologies.
from http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/preview07/columns/story?columnist=feldman_bruce&id=2968375
The Best Blitzing Linebacker
No defensive coordinator causes more headaches for an opposing quarterback than Georgia Tech's Jon Tenuta, who loves to attack with his myriad of blitz packages. Tenuta has groomed more than his share of standout linebackers. He's got another gem in senior middle linebacker Philip Wheeler.
Phillip Wheeler's blitzes fuel Georgia Tech's attacking defense.
Wheeler, who stands 6-2 and 230 pounds, has played all three linebacker positions for the Yellow Jackets, serving as a free-wheeling force coming off the weakside, tracking tight ends from the strongside and anchoring the middle as he does now. Wheeler isn't a big talker or an oversized personality, but he is an explosive athlete who has really matured since coming to Tech. Three years ago, he was undisciplined and frequently was caught out of position. Last season, Wheeler became more of a thinking man's linebacker and fit well into this scheme. His timing is often impeccable; Tech loves to get Wheeler matched up on backs after he flies in on a delayed blitz behind stunting Yellow Jackets D-linemen. Last season he notched nine sacks, and the havoc he caused probably led to twice that many.
"He's a freak of an athlete," said a line coach whose team played against Tech last season. "You don't want to have him matched up with your tailback, but [Tenuta] does such a good job with his pressure packages, that's usually what you're stuck with. And then Wheeler just tosses your guy. He's really good with his hands.
"He was the best linebacker we saw last season."
If this has already been brought up, apologies.