Baltimore Ravens Free Agent Rumors: Eric Weddle
By Joe Serpico
The Baltimore Ravens have reportedly expressed interest in former San Diego Chargers safety Eric Weddle.
Eric Weddle is one of the few players remaining in the free agent pool that could instantly come in and make in impact. After nine seasons with the Chargers, the free safety is entering unfamiliar territory as a free agent, but the suitors are there. According to Jason La Canfora, the Ravens are one of three teams that are interested in the three-time Pro Bowler.
Baltimore has spent the early part of the 2016 NFL season by attacking their salary cap problems. They have restructured several deals, while also parting ways with some veterans to create additional cap space. There could be more cap decisions to be made with Eugene Monroe, Dennis Pitta and the abundance of safeties on the roster. Now, it is time to spend, and investing in Weddle would be a smart decision.
The Ravens have struggled to find consistency in the back end of the secondary since the team parted ways with future Hall of Famer Ed Reed. Weddle has never been a playmaker like Reed, but there is no denying that he is one of the best at his position in the past five years. He would give Dean Pees a leader in the secondary and take some of the burden off Lardarius Webb, who is transitioning to free safety.
The other teams that are interested in Weddle are the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers are a lot like the Ravens in that they have looked for a leader in secondary since their Hall of Famer left the team. What better reward would there be than to bring in Weddle help the Ravens, and hurt their biggest rival. That’s a win-win for either organization if they should bring him in.
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Some new Oakland Raiders have lobbied for Weddle to stay local and join their rebuilding effort. It is a move that makes sense for both parties. He would get to face his former team twice, while also not needing to move away from his family. It was an incident involving Weddle and his daughter that was reportedly the reasoning why he is so upset with the Chargers, so getting some sort of revenge could tempt him.
Ozzie Newsome and the Ravens need him more than any team as they finished last in the league in interceptions last season. Weddle is not a ball hawk with just three interceptions in the last three seasons, but he makes plays all over the field. One play, he will stuff a running back at the line of scrimmage. The next play, he is 30 yards down the field deflecting a pass. His range and vision is something few NFL players possess.
Some point to his age as a concern, but he is still playing at a high level and will do so for at least a couple more seasons. The Ravens do not usually make big moves in free agency, but they have added the cap space to bring in someone of Weddle’s caliber. Pair that with the lack of plays from the safety position last season and it makes sense why Baltimore is interested.
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If you are a regular reader, you have seen our push for the Ravens to bring in the former Charger. We was mentioned in our five free agents that fit. He was included in our three bold predictions for the offseason. And just days ago, Weddle’s name was brought up as someone they should target with the additional cap savings. Get it done and makes me look good Ozzie.