detroit lions vs. st. louis rams the season begins consistency up front ...

John wenDLinG
Safety
Wyoming 6th Year
Ht: 6-1 Wt: 222
Born: 6/4/83 Rock Springs, Wyo.
Draft: ‘07, R6 (184)-Buf Acquired: ‘10, FA
Complete biographical information available on Detroit<strong>lions</strong>.com.
TRANSACTIONS
¾ re-signed by <strong>lions</strong> to a three-year deal July 29, 2011.
¾ signed by the Detroit <strong>lions</strong> august 27, 2010.
¾ Waived by the Buffalo Bills february 16, 2010.
¾ Drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round (184th overall) of the
2007 Nfl draft.
PRO
sixth-year safety who provides valuable depth in the defensive backfield
and is one of the best special teams cover men in the Nfl. since entering
the Nfl in 2007, Wendling has recorded 90 special teams tackles, the
most in the Nfl over the past four seasons. Has recorded10 special teams
tackles in all four pro seasons.
¾ registered 50 special teams tackles previous two seasons (2009-10),
the most in the Nfl and the only player to reach 50 over that span.
¾ according to stats, inc., Wendling’s 26 special teams with Buffalo in
2009 are tied for the fourth-highest single season tally since 1994.
His 24 tackles in 2010 with Detroit are tied for the 11th-most in a
single season.
¾ since 1994 (statistics accumulated by stats, inc.), Wendling became
one of only three players (Vikings lB Heath farwell, 2006-07; Broncos
lB Keith Burns, 2000 and 2003) to record 24 special teams tackles in
a season twice.
¾ appeared in 46 of a possible 48 games with the Buffalo Bills, Wendling
compiled 49 tackles as primarily a special teams player during his
three seasons.
2011: Back-up safety and standout on special teams. Tied for fourth in the
league with 17 special teams tackles on the season, including at least 1 in
12 of the team’s 16 games.
¾ registered special teams tackle in first quarter in the team’s 27-20
victory at Tampa Bay (9/11) as he saved a potential touchdown on a
Buccaneer long kickoff return. Defense would not allow a first down
and forced a field goal.
¾ Garnered two special teams tackles in the <strong>lions</strong> 48-3 win over Kansas
City (9/18) in the home opener.
¾ started at strong safety <strong>vs</strong>. Chicago (10/10) and had three tackles in
the <strong>lions</strong> 24-13 win.
¾ saw time at safety with injuries to louis Delmas and Chris Harris and
made 3 tackles at oakland (12/18).
COLLEGE
¾ started 37 of 47 games during his career at Wyoming, finishing 10th in
school history with 259 tackles (151 solo).
¾ first-team all-MWC in 2006.
¾ Named second-team all-america by College football in 2006.
¾ esPN the Magazine academic all-american in 2006.
PERSONAL
¾ attended rock springs (Wyo.) High school.
¾ football team won the Class 5a state Championship and went undefeated
his senior year.
¾ Named all-state as a senior at running back, defensive back, and as
a return specialist.
¾ Won the state championship his junior year in the long jump.
PLayer ProfiLes
Detroit<strong>lions</strong>.com
Media.Detroit<strong>lions</strong>.com
WENDLING’S SINGLE-GAME BESTS
Tackles: ........................................................................................................................................ 6 at TB 12/19/10
interceptions: ............................................................................................................................1 at NyJ 10/16/09
Pass Defenses: .........................................................................................................................1 at NyJ 10/16/09
fumble recoveries: ...................................................................................................................1 <strong>vs</strong>. Mia 12/9/07
special Teams Tackles: ................................................................................4 (3 times) last <strong>vs</strong>. NyJ 11/7/10
WENDLING’S CAREER STATISTICS
Date Tm G S TT ST AT Sk Yds Int Yds TD PD FF FR Yds TD STT
2007 Buf 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 10
2008 Buf 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13
2009 Buf 16 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 26
2010 Det 16 0 6 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 24
2011 Det 16 2 8 6 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17
Totals 78 2 15 11 4 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 90
POSTSEASON
Year Tm G S TT ST AT Sk SkY Int Yds TD PD FF FR Yds TD STT
2011 Det 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Totals 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
2011 (Det)
Date Opp G S TT ST AT Sk SkY Int Yds TD PD FF FR Yds TD STT
9/11 at TB 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
9/18 KC 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
9/25 at Min 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
10/2 at Dal 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
10/9 CHi 1 1 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10/16 sf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
10/23 aTl 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
10/30 at Den 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
11/13 at Chi 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
11/20 Car 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
11/24 GB 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
12/4 at No 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
12/11 MiN 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
12/18 at oak 1 0 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
12/24 sD 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1/1 at GB 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Totals 16 2 8 6 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17
Postseason
Date Opp G S TT ST AT Sk SkY Int Yds TD PD FF FR Yds TD STT
1/7 at No 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Totals 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1