I think he’s been more up and down that this piece indicates (focuses on the down), but it’s mostly accurate.
Overall, Wheeler’s game just seems a step slow. He doesn’t seem to possess the strength or athleticism required to shed blocks and put himself in good defensive position, and more importantly, he seems to be slow to read plays and make the appropriate adjustments. Again, a SAM linebacker is rarely going to be a highlight reel playmaker, but that doesn’t mean they have to be blatantly ineffective either. Thornton was certainly effective and made plays when his number was called. Hagler has been effective and made plays as well. Wheeler has yet to really make any sort of significant play, be it a monster hit, a key stop or an interception. He’s just kind of out there with the rest of the defense. I don’t harbor any grudges against Wheeler and I’m not trying to hate on him for the sake of hating, but this game seems too typical of Wheeler’s overall performance, and I have to wonder what he really offers this defense that Hagler doesn’t – besides durability, of course, which I don’t mean to discount. But I ask you to watch the Colts-Texans game next Monday night and see where most of the runs are directed. Ask yourself, then, if you think Wheeler is really the man for the job.
Unless Wheeler undergoes some sort of radical transformation over the back half of the season, and I have little reason to believe that will happen, expected to see more runs aimed at the Colts’ defensive strongside, challenging Wheeler to react quickly and make plays. Maybe he’ll rise to the challenge. I hope he does; he’ll probably be tested as early as next Monday night, when he’ll be reunited with his good friend Vonta Leach. But if he doesn’t and if the Colts’ defense still continues to struggle on that side, I have to wonder how long it is until Jim Caldwell seriously considers going with Hagler at the position.
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