Wilhelm Steps Up; Other News

Mamba · Sep 24, 2008

Matt Wilhelm is too honest, too much of a linebacker to not acknowledge what he almost let slip away.

After his best performance of the season Monday night against the Jets, Wilhelm acknowledged he stepped up his game as the shadow of Tim Dobbins threatened to engulf Wilhelm's playing time.

"It drives me," Wilhelm said. "The biggest thing is it's almost like I got complacent being the starter. I never realized until it came that there was heat from behind, from Tim."

Dobbins and Wilhelm rotated series Monday, as the evolution of the "Mac" linebacker position continued for the Chargers.

Wilhelm simply had not played aggressively enough or well enough to keep his job full time. When Dobbins played well in 19 snaps at Denver on Sept. 14, either he was going to continue to take more snaps until he outright took over, or Wilhelm was going to step up and save his job.

It remains to be seen what happens, but Wilhelm took a step toward retaining his playing time by being in position, taking hits to blockers and making tackles.

"Tim Dobbins gives us a physical presence," coach Norv Turner said. "He's very aggressive. Obviously, Matt brings a lot of things from a coverage standpoint and from his knowledge of the defense. So I think that has been a good mix."

Said Wilhelm: "I played focused. I made plays. That's what my game should be about."

Nose tackle signed

The Chargers signed six-year veteran Ian Scott after a workout and physical at the team's facility.

Sources said the deal was for two years.

Scott replaces cornerback DeJuan Tribble on the roster, but within the next couple of weeks will probably force the release of Brandon McKinney.

The Chargers likely will not carry three nose tackles, especially since Ryon Bingham can double as a tackle and end. McKinney has yet to be active this season.

A decision on who to cut does not have to be made until Oct. 4, the day before the Chargers play Miami. That's because after linebacker Stephen Cooper returns from suspension Monday, the Chargers have all that week to decide how to make room for him on the roster.

Scott, 26, injured his knee in training camp before the 2007 season and spent that year on injured reserve. He was cut by the Carolina Panthers last month because he was not healthy yet.

He played in Chicago under current Chargers linebackers coach Ron Rivera, who was the Bears' defensive coordinator. Scott spent the past three weeks rehabbing, and the Chargers had been watching him.

In the likelihood Tribble clears waivers, he will be signed to the practice squad. The Chargers cut linebacker Eric Bakhtiari from the practice squad.

Castillo sore, thankful

Defensive end Luis Castillo did some rehab work and had an MRI on his sore right knee Tuesday, but mostly remained more grateful than ever after watching replays of the play on which Jets running back Thomas Jones cut him Monday night.

Castillo said Jones hesitated before impact and hit him high in the quad, taking away some of the force on his knee.

"A few inches in either direction..." Castillo said. "Oh, I'm so thankful."

It appeared the hit might have ended Castillo's season, or worse, as his foot stuck in the turf and leg contorted in an unnatural way. But Castillo got up after about five minutes on the ground, walked to the sideline and was back in the game on the next series.

The MRI confirmed there was no major damage, and Castillo expects to work as normal this week, though Turner indicated Castillo would be dealt with on a "day-to-day" basis.

Hardwick should play

Turner expects Nick Hardwick, who has been practicing for two weeks, will be ready to start at Oakland. But he is not putting pressure on his Pro Bowl center, who had offseason foot surgery, to make his 2008 debut against the Raiders' highly physical defensive line.
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http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2008/sep/23/chargers-his-job-doubt-wilhelm-steps/?chargers

I'm not a big fan of Wilhelm, but if his competitive juices can get flowing and he can produce, I'll take it.

Nice to see Hardwick should be on the field Sunday. We got McNeil back Monday night, and now Hardwick is back. Awesome!

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Wilhelm Steps Up; Other News

Mamba The King is Back Staff Member Global Moderator

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Wilhelm Steps Up; Other News

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