Eric Weddle in the NFL

[Don Wassall]

Weddle is one of the most important White defensive players of the past 30 years. He was not only a rare tackling machine at safety, but also made lots of big plays, the complete package not to mention an Iron Man. He could have starred at cornerback; it's one thing to totally shut out Whites at that position as irrational and unjustifiable as it is, but to do so even at safety -- when the NFL should have lots of White safeties and safety-linebacker hybrids, a direction the league is going defensively -- is beyond obscene. Those hoping McCaffrey or Kuechly or Watt will change anything at their respective positions when it comes to recruiting White high school stars need only look at Weddle's non-existent impact at the safety position.

Here's some highlights of Eric's career. All of them I found on YouTube have hideous rap music, so turn off the volume if need be:

 

[Bucky]

One of my favorites! Sad to see him go.

 

[Johnny Tightlips]

Weddle has an extremely strong case for the hall of fame! I'm not banking on it, but I would be surprised if he didnt make it!

 

[Freethinker]

Hat tip to my favorite safety on an excellent career. I’ve had him as a defender in my IDP fantasy league more times than I can remember.

 

[Don Wassall]

Here's Peter King on Eric Weddle. Unlike Reed and Polamalu, I don't expect Weddle to be a first ballot Hall of Famer; in fact it won't surprise me if it takes him many years of eligibility, or he never makes it at all. Unlike when a black athlete does well at a position or sport where there are few and are subsequently lionized -- sometimes to truly absurd degrees -- Weddle played with very little notoriety and it took a good part of his career before he even earned a decent amount of respect from the media and their trained seals the DWFs.

On the retirement of Eric Weddle. Even though Weddle did make six Pro Bowls, I always thought he was under-appreciated. He drilled people like John Lynch, had the instincts of Eric Reid and though he didn’t make the flash plays of a Troy Polamalu, he was always around the football. It occurred to me that it might be interesting to compare Weddle with the two Hall of Fame safeties from his era—Reed and Polamalu—by comparing them vis a vis Pro Football Focus numbers. PFF has been grading every play of every player formally since 2006. Reed had eight starting seasons graded by PFF since 2008, Polamalu nine and Weddle 12. Weddle’s average grade per season: 12.98. Polamalu’s was 11.90 and Reed’s 9.01. A little food for thought there.

 

[Leonardfan]

I never cared much for Ed Reed - he was essentially allowed to cherry pick on the back end which resulted in his high interception numbers. Not saying he was not a good player but he was not an all around great DB and avoided contact at one of the more physical positions in the game. Weddle was an all around great player and he went out at about 85% of what he was at his peak, Reed limped out of the league unceremoniously as a shell of his former self. The number of tackles Weddle had compared to either Reed or Polamalu is pretty eye opening too. Weddle was a great player and should be considered a HOFer.

 

[Johnny Tightlips]

What is even more impressive about Weddle is that he started all 16 games last year and recorded 80 solo tackles at the safety position...while at the same time nursing an injured knee that was severe enough for him to call it quits a year early. Guy is a true warrior!
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...ns-knee-injury-played-a-role-in-his-decision/

 

[Bucky]

What is even more impressive about Weddle is that he started all 16 games last year and recorded 80 solo tackles at the safety position...while at the same time nursing an injured knee that was severe enough for him to call it quits a year early. Guy is a true warrior!
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...ns-knee-injury-played-a-role-in-his-decision/

A true class act

 

[Leonardfan]

Weddle returning for a playoff run!

 

[Bucky]

Weddle returning for a playoff run!

What a move by The Rams!!

 

[Warhawk_46]

I was just reading this! Great move to have Weddle and Rapp anchoring the secondary!

 

[Extra Point]

What a move by The Rams!!

Definitely! You've got to give them credit for it. I wonder who in the organization thought of it.

It sure makes the Rams more interesting from our perspective.

 

[Bucky]

Definitely! You've got to give them credit for it. I wonder who in the organization thought of it.

It sure makes the Rams more interesting from our perspective.

Yessir Playoffs just got a little more interesting .

 

[white lightning]

I agree with all of you guys. The Rams have become the team to watch in the NFL and now Weddle just improved them even more. What a great football
player he has been over the last decade. Hope to see Weddle and the Rams make a serious chase to a Super Bowl Championship in 2022.

 

[icsept]

Very cool, but 37 is ancient for a DB. Jake Gervase was also signed to the active roster.

 

[Jerry Reb]

Great news! Wonder if he'll still do the awesome sleeve and visor thing.

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

Weddle actually led the Rams in tackles in their conference championship game.

 

[Bob]

Weddle actually led the Rams in tackles in their conference championship game.

It's funny how despite the league getting more "athletic" every year, a 37-year-old white guy can come out of retirement after two years of playing pick-up basketball and look like he never left - in one of the more athletically demanding positions. That and a 44-year-old white guy leading the NFL in passing yardage.

 

[icsept]

Eric Weddle is a borderline hall of famer. I’m looking for him to get an interception and a forced fumble and steal the Super Bowl MVP. It would seal the deal for his Hall of Fame candidacy.