Chargers move quickly to get their man

Saturday, Apr 28, 2007
By Tom Shanahan, Chargers.com

As expected, the Chargers made a draft-day trade to move up and acquire a safety they believe can impact the team in 2007 as a rookie.  But that move came a round later than some predicted, and the Bolts weren’t forced to give up a first-round choice to acquire versatile Utah safety Eric Weddle.

“The guy is a good player, and we needed a safety,” said Buddy Nix, the Chargers assistant general manager. “He was high on our list from the start. We knew if we waited until late in the second round, we wouldn’t get him. We were aggressive. We’re not worried about what we gave up; we’re worried about what we got, which is a football player that will help us win.”

The Chargers made their move in the second round by swapping places with the Chicago Bears and giving the Bears extra picks.  The Bolts, with the luxury of two picks in the third and fifth rounds, moved up from their 62nd pick in the second round to the Bears’ 37the position while also sending the Bears third- and fifth-round picks and a third-round in 2008.

Since the Chargers expect to receive a third-round pick in 2008 as a free agent compensatory pick, they don’t expect to be without a third-round choice in 2008 despite sending one to the Bears.

Weddle said he knew the Chargers liked him, but as the draft unfolded, he didn’t expect to have a chance to play for a team that he followed while growing up in the Rancho Cucamonga area and starring at Alta Loma High.

“I was extremely surprised,” Weddle said. “I didn’t think they’d jump up that high, but I knew they liked me a lot. It’s a dream come true to be a San Diego Charger. I’m excited about it and can’t wait to get to work an prove they made the right decision.”

In his college career, Weddle, a 5-foot-11, 200-pounder, scored touchdowns on interception returns, fumble returns and taking snaps as a running back and shot-gun quarterback. He also threw a touchdown pass on an option play.

He was the two-time Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2005 and 2006. One of his best games came at San Diego State when Utah routed the Aztecs 38-7 at Qualcomm Stadium.  Weddle scored two touchdowns on interception returns and a third touchdown as a running back.

“I love that stadium,” Weddle said with a laugh. “I’ve had some good games there.”

The Chargers believe Weddle’s versatility will help them in third-down situations get off the field against four wideouts.

“He’s a good football player who will help us win now,” Nix said. “Instead of substituting and guessing against four wideouts and that type of thing, this guy can walk up and play the slot man. That’s hard to do without having to substitute. On third down we can play nickel or dime. If they throw four wideouts at you and you don’t’ have someone who can play that slot, it causes you problems.”

Another one of Weddle’s best college games was the 2005 Emerald Bowl win against Georgia Tech. Weddle played cornerback against Calvin Johnson and limited the player who was the No. 2 pick in the 2007 draft by the Detroit Lions to two catches for 19 yards.

“He’s a highly intelligent player and he has a knack for making plays,” Chargers head coach Norv Turner said. “He gives us versatility in the secondary and he’s a playmaker on special teams. He’s a guy that our defensive coaches were excited when we walked down the hall and said were going to get this guy.”