Safety Weddle Helping Chemistry

Mamba · Aug 18, 2008

SAN DIEGO - The Chargers led the NFL in interceptions last season and think their pass defense will be even better this season even though their lone new defensive starter resides in the secondary.

Second-year player Eric Weddle takes over as the starting free safety after the offseason release of Marlon McCree. Weddle's emergence over the second half of last season helped push McCree out of town.

Weddle, a first-team All-American at Utah as a senior, was the Chargers' second-round draft pick in 2007. His promotion excites strong safety Clinton Hart, who didn't always mesh with McCree and realized during last season that Weddle's style of play better complemented his abilities.

"With him being out there with me, it allows me to play to my strengths," said Hart, who recorded a career-high five interceptions last season. "That's what I like about him. I like to be down in the box and I like to go make contact. We both have great ball skills."

That new secondary will be on display tonight when the Chargers play at St. Louis in their second exhibition game.

The Chargers are comfortable with Weddle, who graduated from Alta Loma High, as a starter. Though he had just one of the team's 30 interceptions in the regular season, he had a significant interception in the postseason when he made a one-handed grab of a Peyton Manning pass to snuff out an Indianapolis drive in the victory that catapulted the Chargers into last January's AFC championship game.

At Utah, Weddle had 18 interceptions and forced nine fumbles in his stellar career. Besides being a playmaker, he is viewed as a cerebral player and understands why Hart was occasionally frustrated last season.

Like Hart, Weddle feels chemistry in the secondary will be better.

"He and I trust each other," Weddle said. "We work well with one another. He knows that I have his back if he wants to take a chance or shoot a gap."

Chargers coach Norv Turner likes that both players are versatile and interchangeable.

"They both are mirrors (of each other)," Turner said. "They can both play strong or free. Clinton is more physical. Obviously, Eric has the range."

The Chargers' ascent to league leaders in interceptions was primarily due to the emergence of cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who led the NFL with 10 interceptions in his second season. Veteran Quentin Jammer also is a solid player at the other cornerback position.

"I find it hard to find a better set of corners in the league than what we're playing with," Turner said.

As for the safeties, the 31-year-old Hart appears to be set for the next few years after signing a five-year contract in the offseason. Weddle represents the future for a team that traded three draft picks to Chicago to move up in the draft to get him.

As the only new defensive starter, Weddle knows he will be under close observation this season. And that's perfectly fine with him.

"I expect a lot of myself as do my teammates and coaches," Weddle said. "I'm excited for it. I'm ready for the challenge and I expect to make a lot of plays this year."
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http://www.pe.com/sports/breakout/stories/PE_Sports_Local_S_chargers_secondary.48c9953.html?npc

Mamba · Aug 18, 2008

I have really high hopes for this kid this year. A lot of fellow Bolt fans feel that this guy can become the real deal, as well.

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Safety Weddle Helping Chemistry

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