Five questions with Raiders outside linebacker Philip Wheeler

Raiders strong-side linebacker Philip Wheeler, a free-agent pickup from Indianapolis, is off to a strong start in training camp, impressing his new coaches and teammates. The Raiders signed Wheeler two weeks after releasing strong-side linebacker Kamerion Wimbley in a cost-cutting move during the offseason. Wheeler, entering his fifth NFL season, has flashed his speed and athleticism during practice and has taken well to new coach Dennis Allen’s aggressive, multiple defense.

How different is this defense, now that you’re actually out there in pads and hitting, as opposed to what you’d been used to playing the past few years in Indianapolis?

Wheeler: “It’s way more aggressive, it’s more fun, more play-making for a lot of guys, more plays out there to be made for a lot of guys instead of a couple of guys. In Indy I was involved in a cover-2 scheme. Playmakers were like the defensive ends. I guess this is more linebacker friendly and everybody friendly. Everybody makes plays in this defense.”

The last couple days you’ve had a pick and you also knocked down Taiwan Jones. Do you feel this defense is putting you in position to make those type of plays?

Wheeler: “Yeah, I think so. I think we’re all in position to make plays. We just need to believe in what the coaches are telling us and do the proper techniques they’re telling us and I think you’ll see a lot of it. I feel like some people are grasping it a little bit quicker than others, and once everybody grasps it, you’ll see everybody making plays.”

Are you the prototypical strong-side linebacker?

Wheeler: “I don’t think I’m prototypical anything because I’ve always been told I was too light and sometimes I was told I’m not fast enough. So I don’t think I’m the prototypical. I just feel like I can listen to what the coaches are telling me and play the proper technique. They know what they’re doing. They’re putting me and other players in the best positions for us to make plays.”

One session out there (on Monday) you were in nickel and people were moving around, really creating confusion. Is that one thing this defense will try to do?

Wheeler: “We’re definitely going to try to create confusion vs. the quarterback and offensive lines. It’s just a great scheme for doing stuff like that. And that’s fun football when you can do that and get people free or make somebody miss and get a sack or something like that. That’s fun. That’s when the fun happens.”

Is that what you’re looking forward to, getting some sacks?

Wheeler: “Yeah, I’m looking forward to getting some sacks, picks, knockout shots, not only from myself but from my other teammates. We’ve got some amazing athletes out there. We got fast athletes, some of the fastest guys in the league out there. I think we’re going to be fine.”

Follow Raiders reporter Eric Gilmore on Twitter: @CBSSportsNFLOAK.