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LB Matt Wilhelm (All-American, National Champion, Super Bowl Champion, OSU HOF)

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Here is my hope that Matt will use this as a burning fire in him to want to prove people wrong! He def. has the tools and athleticism to be a good, perhaps not great, and a solid LB for the next team.
Matt, here is to you to pull a Mike Vrabel. We'll always be proud of you.

:oh:

:osu2:
osu.edu ROCKS!!
 
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Eagles bring in Matt Wilhelm | ProFootballTalk.com

With middle linebacker Stewart Bradley gone for the year due to a torn ACL, the Eagles have signed former Chargers linebacker Matt Wilhelm, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Wilhelm was cut by the Chargers a week or so before the start of training camp.

Per the Union-Tribune, Wilhelm agreed to a one-year deal.
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I think this is both a great fit and great opportunity, assuming he starts. I think that defense is going to be pretty nasty this year.
 
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Posted on Wed, Aug. 5, 2009
Eagles Notebook: New scenery for Wilhelm, Babin after signing with Eagles
By LES BOWEN
Philadelphia Daily News

[email protected]

BETHLEHEM - Their arrivals were less widely anticipated than Jeremy Maclin's, but that didn't make Matt Wilhelm or Jason Babin any less happy to get to Lehigh yesterday.

Wilhelm is the veteran linebacker the Eagles decided to sign in the wake of Sunday's season-ending ACL tear suffered by starting middle linebacker Stewart Bradley. Babin, a former first-round pick of the Houston Texans (in 2004), will join the mix at defensive end. Both will be learning a new, complex defense on the fly, but neither Wilhelm nor Babin was enjoying the odd feeling of watching at home while training camps opened around the NFL.

"The week's been tough; there's been a lot of ups and downs," said Wilhelm, 28, who was unexpectedly cut by the Chargers on July 24. A fourth-round pick in 2003, he started seven games for San Diego last season, but ultimately lost his starting role to Tim Dobbins.

"Coming from a 3-4, there'll be a lot of learning for me, going to a 4-3 defense, but that downhill, fill-the-gap type of player is something I've been in the past, and I'm looking forward to the opportunity."

In the short run, Wilhelm just fills out the linebacking corps; Joe Mays seems to be inheriting Bradley's starting role, with Omar Gaither rotating in for Mays as part of the nickel defense, when Bradley would have remained on the field. But at 6-4, 245, with 71 games played, Wilhelm is bigger and more experienced than either Mays or Gaither.

Wilhelm said he got caught up in a chaotic year for the Chargers' defense in 2008, starting with Shawne Merriman going down to knee surgery after the first game and continuing through the firing of defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell at midseason.

"It was a lot of things happening, all at one time, fingers getting pointed in every direction," he said. "Luckily, we hung on and rallied, won the division, as Denver collapsed late in the year."

Wilhelm, a former Ohio State star, said he hasn't played in a 4-3 since his rookie season.
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Eagles Notebook: New scenery for Wilhelm, Babin after signing with Eagles | Philadelphia Daily News | 08/05/2009

Lorain native Wilhelm signs deal with Philadelphia
Published: Wednesday, August 5, 2009
By ANTHONY RIOS
[email protected]

Lorain native and Elyria Catholic alumnus Matt Wilhelm, seen here playing for the Chargers is relishing the opportunity to compete for a starting job for the Eagles after signing a one-year deal. SPECIAL TO THE MORNING JOURNAL

PHILADELPHIA ? Former Elyria Catholic High School and Ohio State University star Matt Wilhelm signed a 1-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles yesterday.

According to a Philadelphia newspaper, Wilhelm is expected to compete for the middle linebacker spot after Stewart Bradley tore his anterior cruciate ligament on Sunday. The Eagles had the league's No. 3 ranked defense in 2008.

"It's a great opportunity for me to come here," Wilhelm said. "I don't want to get ahead of myself, but I'm happy to compete for a starting spot.

"The Eagles are a great team and a great organization. They are one of the top teams in the league and hopefully I get a chance to play for a Super Bowl here."
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Lorain native Wilhelm signs deal with Philadelphia Morning Journal: Serving Lorain, Erie, Huron and western Cuyahoga counties


Wilhelm could help fill hole at LB
By GEOFF MOSHER ? For the Courier-Post ? August 5, 2009

BETHLEHEM, PA. ? Moving quickly to address holes on defense in the aftermath of middle linebacker Stewart Bradley's season-ending knee injury, the Eagles signed linebacker Matt Wilhelm and defensive end Jason Babin.

Wilhelm, a former third-round pick out of Ohio State, spent the past six seasons with San Diego, where he signed a five-year deal worth $14 million at the end of the 2006 season.

He didn't pan out with the Chargers, who switched from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4, and was released days before San Diego opened camp.

The 6-foot-4, 245-pound Wilhelm figures to compete at middle linebacker with Joe Mays and Omar Gaither. He called himself a "downhill, fill-gaps type player" and said that inside linebacker is where he's best suited for the Eagles.

Right now, the Eagles are filling Bradley's void with Joe Mays, a second-year pro drafted in the sixth round out of North Dakota State. Mays ran with the first-team defense in scrimmage on Tuesday but was replaced by Gaither for passing downs.
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Wilhelm could help fill hole at LB | CourierPostOnline.com | Courier-Post
 
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Defensive coordinator Sean McDermott summed up how he's replacing linebacker Stewart Bradley, who went down Sunday night with a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament. McDermott noted that both Joe Mays and Omar Gaither are well-versed in the role (though neither boasts Bradley's combination of size and speed).

"Right now, we're MIKE linebacker by committee, and the job is open for both of them, or anybody that wants to show us that they can play and take the reins of this defense," McDermott said.

The most obvious "anybody else" is Matt Wilhelm, the one-time Chargers starter the Birds signed this week. Wilhelm has an awful lot to learn, in a short time, about one of the most difficult roles in a really complex defense.

"You never know. We'd never rule that out, obviously," McDermott said. He also said, "Right away, you can tell Matt's intelligence, what he brings to the table experiencewise."
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Eagles Notebook: In DeSean Jackson, Eagles have second-year star, first-rate role model | Philadelphia Daily News | 08/07/2009
 
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Wilson: Former Chargers linebacker visits 49ers
Free agent has been making the rounds Aaron Wilson
October 17, 2009

Former San Diego Chargers linebacker Matt Wilhelm visited the San Francisco 49ers on Friday, according to a league source.

Wilhelm is a former Chargers fourth-round draft pick out of Ohio State.

He was cut by the Philadelphia Eagles during their final major roster cutdown before the season.

Wilhelm mostly played on special teams for the Chargers, but became a starter in 2007 when Donnie Edwards signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chargers cut Wilhelm on July 24 after signing Kevin Burnett.
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Wilson: Former Chargers linebacker visits 49ers | National Football Post
 
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Wilhelm Signed: If the 49ers ever found a good replacement for Ulbrich, it's Matt Wilhelm, the former Charger who played under defensive coordinator Greg Manusky in San Diego. Wilhelm was an inside linebacker in Manusky's scheme since he was drafted in the fourth round of the 2003 draft. He was in the Eagles training camp this summer but had difficulty converting to a 4-3 and didn't make the team.

"I know the meat and potatoes of this defense," Wilhelm said. He also is likely to replace Ulbrich on special teams.
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Read more: Niner Insider : Ulbrich out
 
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Matt Wilhelm: (at OSU 1999 to 2002) Has 174 solo tackles in 74 career games with San Diego (2003 to '08) and San Francisco, with whom he signed on Oct. 20.
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GameDay+

Newest Niner has big impact
Scott Ostler
Friday, November 13, 2009

He is the unknown soldier. If you know who Matt Wilhelm is, you're probably spending way too much time studying the 49ers.

Linebacker Takeo Spikes went out with a hamstring injury late in the first half Thursday night. Bad news for the 49ers, who must stop the Bears' running game.

Rookie Scott McKillop comes in for one series, then gives way to Wilhelm, who contributes two tackles and three assists.

Wilhelm wasn't famous even in San Diego, where he spent his first six NFL seasons as a part-time starting linebacker and mostly a special-teams player. The 49ers picked him up four games ago to help fill the void when Jeff Ulbrich retired. Defensive coordinator Greg Manusky coached at San Diego and knew Wilhelm's work.

"I realize my role is on special teams, and to understand the game plan and be one play away" from being a scrimmage player, Wilhelm said.

The Chargers cut him this year and he was home in Ohio, working out, when the 49ers called.

Manusky "knew I'm fairly smart and can pick up a game plan quickly," said Wilhelm, who played at Ohio State and grew up in Ohio as a Bears fan.

On Thursday he was smashing in a walk-on role.
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Newest Niner has big impact



Read more: Newest Niner has big impact
 
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Wilhelm might start for Spikes
John Crumpacker, Chronicle Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Linebacker Takeo Spikes is listed as day-to-day with a strained hamstring incurred in the Chicago game, coach Mike Singletary said Tuesday.

"If Takeo can't go, Matt Wilhelm will start," he said.

Wilhelm, a seven-year veteran, was signed as a free agent by the 49ers prior to the Houston game Oct. 25 but it wasn't until the Chicago game Thursday night that he had a chance to play from scrimmage.

Wilhelm had five tackles in relief of Spikes as he played most of the second half.

"I prepare each and every week, whether I'm playing or not playing," he said. "With the three defensive linemen in front of me and Parys (Haralson) and Manny (Lawson) setting the edge, that ball wasn't going anywhere."
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Read more: Wilhelm might start for Spikes
November 17, 2009
Wilhelm-Willis made a nice combination

Matt Wilhelm added a nice jolt of energy to the defense last Thursday when Takeo Spikes left the game with a gimpy hammy. Spikes is still recovering from that injury and is "day-to-day," according to Mike Singletary. If he can't go, Wilhelm, 28, will get his first start since Dec. 14 when he was a member of the Chargers.

I thought Wilhelm's answer to the third question was interesting for a number of reasons. One, it illustrates how the defense is designed to funnel ball carriers to the inside linebackers. It also shows that the role of the outside linebackers is more than just rushing the passer. Setting the edge on running plays is critical, and it's something that up-and-coming OLBs Ahmad Brooks and Diyral Briggs are still learning. Here's Wilhelm:

Did fresh legs contribute to his performance Thursday night?
"There was the excitement for the opportunity. And, you know, coach (Al) Everest on special teams does a great job. Once he saw that Takeo was probably not coming back in the game, he relieved me on some of those (units) so I don't have to run down on kickoffs and have to stay out on defense.

And I'm assuming your familiarity with the defense (Wilhelm played under Manusky in San Diego) helped you be aggressive.
"Well, definitely. I prepare each and every week - playing or not playing. I realize I'm one play away as I was in that game. That's my approach. I understand my role here on this football team and I do it to the best of my abilities."

It looked like you were having fun out there.
"I really was. And the biggest part was understanding that, with the three d-linemen in front of me along with Parys and Manny setting those edges, that ball's not going anywhere. So it allows Patrick and myself or TK and Patrick to stay within (the offensive tackles) .... We knew the Bears extremely well and right now we're focusing on knowing Green Bay the same way."

How much is your background with Manusky benefitting you now?
"It definitely is and, again, that's a key part of the reason why I am here and why I'm getting the opportunity. I do understand it extremely well."

Any differences from what San Diego runs?
"Yes there are. There are some wrinkles and things they do here differently. The d-lineman technique is a little different or angles are a little different. But those are the things you're paid to understand and know so that if an opportunity does arise, you can go out and play to the best of your ability.

The Packers use a lot of screen and slants. As an inside linebacker, will it be your role to jump those?
"Well, definitely. I think last week the Chicago Bears made some heavy yards in screen plays alone, so the Green Bay Packers are going to definitely see that, and it's going to be something they do within their game plan to defeat us because they understand we're going to focus on stopping the run and have them beat us with the throw or beat us because we bring so much pressure. So it's definitely something we're focusing on, and we realize the task at hand."
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http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/49ers/archives/2009/11/wilhelm-willis.html
 
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