Philadelphia Eagles Football

Mark Wheeler
press conference excerpts

Courtesy of Philadelphia Eagles public relations

PHILADELPHIA (March 3, 1999) — The following are selected comments from the press conference announcing the signing of defensive lineman Mark Wheeler.

Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson on the signing of Mark Wheeler "On behalf of the Philadelphia Eagles, I'd like to announce that we have reached an agreement with Mark Wheeler on a four-year contract. We're really excited. In looking at free agency, we needed a guy to bring some toughness as far as run
stopping. We needed a guy like Mark. We'd like to put him in a three-man rotation with Bill Johnson and Hollis Thomas. We know we have other tackles, too, but this is a guy with some experience. He has played some nose tackle with Tampa Bay and New England. He can do that for us, but also play tackle in
our even fronts. He's a guy that we were really looking for in the free agent market. He's a guy that is a good run player that we will also use in the nickel. He'll be competing for that starting position in a three-man rotation. We're excited about that."

Johnson on DT position being upgraded "I think so. We had some guys that were banged up a little bit. In the NFL you can't
have enough guys that hold up in the run. Guys get nicked up. Hollis Thomas played extremely well at times but he got tired and
Bill Johnson the same way. You have to have three or four tackles to be good against the run in the NFL. That's one of the reasons we like Mark."

Johnson on Wheeler's versatility "There's no question about it. We'll be a lot like we were in Seattle and with the Colts. There will be some under fronts and some nose tackle type things which he is excellent at. There will also be some even fronts, something he'll have to learn some more. With his aggressive play, I don't think that will be a problem. He is an excellent nose tackle. Like I said, he's a great competitor and he plays tough and that's what we like about him."

Johnson on defensive ends not getting double teamed any more
"Yes, I think so. I think the strength of our defense besides the tackles, we have the type of ends in Mike [Mamula] and Hugh Douglas, Greg Jefferson, and Al Wallace. I think we feel that right now we have a strong front. The key sometimes to stopping the run is that you better have some tackles. No matter if the
linebackers are going to make the tackles, you better have some tackles that can two gap and make some things happen up front."

DT Mark Wheeler on Philadelphia "First of all, like Jim said, I've seen the talent that the Eagles have. I want to be a part of
that when they rise back up to a championship level. I want to be a part of that. I don't want to go to a team that is riding high and not be a big part of it. I want to be a part of a team that we can all work together and be on top together."

Wheeler on playing time "Everybody wants to be a starter, everybody wants to be in the limelight. I just want all of my teammates, I want everybody to be star. That's how I play my ball. I want everybody to have fun on the field with me. I want everybody to work hard with me every down. If I'm not starting and I'm coming in on the second string I'm going to work hard like I am the starter. I'll work hard no matter what."

Wheeler on what he feels are his strong points "People say I stop the run really well. I want anybody to run while I'm on the field.
I don't want anybody to get more than two or three yards while I'm on the field. I also can rush the passer once in a while. I'm not going to sell myself short I'm a pass rusher too."

Wheeler on reports that he was close to signing with Tennessee
"It's part of the free agent process. I went there and saw some things that I liked, and of course I wanted to be there too. I liked them but I liked this place too. But, I chose the Eagles over Tennessee."

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