Ravens Training Camp Profile: Free Safety, Eric Weddle
The Baltimore Ravens training camp is under way, here is Eric Weddle’s training camp profile:
Eric Weddle is one of my favorite Baltimore Ravens. From the epic beard, to the victory earned bowls of ice cream, Weddle is about as cool as it gets. Eric Weddle spent most of his career with the San Diego Chargers and it ended roughly to say the least. When Weddle came to Baltimore, he bought into the “Play like a Raven” mentality. He has embraced the community, he has been a leader on the field and he’s played good football.
Weddle is entering his third season with the purple and black, and its his 12th season in the NFL. In terms of interceptions, Weddle is coming off his second best season. He picked off six passes in 2017, just one less than he snagged in 2011. Weddle had 63 tackles, a sack, two forced fumbles and those six interceptions last season. Weddle has had 10 interceptions since he came to town.
Number 32 makes quarterbacks pay for bad throws. He has veteran savvy that puts him in the right position more often than not. Weddle spent much of his career as a strong safety, and his versatility is something that the Ravens can play around with.
Related Story: Training Camp Profile: Javorius Allen
Two years into his Ravens tenure, Weddle hasn’t missed a game, but the Ravens have continued to miss the playoffs. In back to back seasons the defense has given up a costly play late in the fourth quarter of a must-win game. Weddle and the defense have had some incredible accomplishments, but that has to eat at the veteran safety. Being one of the natural leaders of the team, Weddle has to keep pushing his teammates to the goal of a playoff appearance.
2018 outlook:
Weddle may enter the season as a mentor to DeShon Elliott, the safety the Ravens drafted out of Texas. The Ravens are hoping that Elliott can be the future at Weddle’s position, much like they hope Lamar Jackson is the future at quarterback. Elliott is coming off a six interception 2017 season, where he scored two interceptions. Elliott will have to wait behind Weddle, but he couldn’t have picked a better mentor.
Next: The top match up the Ravens have against division rivals
Expect another strong year from Weddle. Six interceptions is a hard number to repeat, but Weddle will have another good season for the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens defense is supposed to be more aggressive in terms of rushing the passer. With Jimmy Smith and Marlon Humphrey as lock down corners, a better pass rush could allow Weddle more freedom to make plays. Weddle is closer to the end of his career than he is his prime, however he still has plenty of football left in the tank.