Free Agent File: FS
Eric Weddle, San Diego Chargers
Drafted: 2007, 2nd Round
Age: Recently turned 26
As bad as the Texans cornerback play was in 2010, and my god it was bad, the safety play may have been worse. I don’t have any stats to back that up, but you saw the same games I did. Are we going to fight over who was worse? I didn’t think so.
Unless something very surprising happens, the Texans figure to have two new starting safeties in 2011. After an abysmal season, Eugene Wilson was cut last week and Bernard Pollard isn’t coming back. I had already mentioned that I thought he was a safe bet to be gone, and not long ago he even said on the radio (without saying it) that he doesn’t expect to be back.
With so much youth in the secondary already, and no safeties worthy of being selected at the 11 spot in the draft (or really even in the first round) the Texans are going to have to look into free agency if they’re going to get a guy they can count on next season. Sure, there are some 2nd or 3rd round prospects that could make an impact, but the Texans have SO many needs and at least one of the new corners or safeties needs to be a free agent pickup. Hopefully a higher-tier one.
Eric Weddle will probably end up re-signing with the Chargers, but if he ends up on the open market, the Texans should definitely take a look. Weddle is a heady safety. He doesn’t have a lot of pop, but his above-average (but not anywhere near elite) coverage skills would make him look like a hall of fame candidate compared to the guys who held the position in Houston before him. This blurb from SBNation.com says he’s “rarely out-of-position in deep support.” What does that mean? Is that legal?
He was a 2nd team NFL All-Pro in 2010 (good timing for his contract year), and he’s entering his prime. If he were to join the Texans, it’s hard to say how much he could help if they don’t also bring in a solid veteran corner, but conventional wisdom suggests that just having a free safety who can actually cover would make Glover Quin and Kareem Jackson look good better.
Weddle missed a few games in 2009 with a knee injury, but he’s known to be very tough to get off the field. He’s played in 60 of a possible 64 regular season games since his rookie season in 2007, starting in 45 games.
UPDATE: It turns out that ESPN AFC South blogger Paul Kuharsky mentioned Weddle as a possibility for the Texans today as well.
Feb 23, 2011 at 08:57:02
I would rather have OJ, but Weddle would be a great addition!
Feb 23, 2011 at 09:38:57
I would take weddle over OJ everyday. He is really what we need.
And chris, if Q Carter has a good combine maybe he would be worth a 2nd. Lots of people seem to like him, I just am trying to get my personal feelings out if it, you know. I guess we will know tuesday after the combine
Feb 23, 2011 at 12:55:02
Makes me sick that Texans are not pursuing these guys. Especially Atogwe since he has been released. Building through the draft is fine but its pointless to play the games next season unless they get some seasoned veterans in the secondary. They probably need two safeties and a CB before the draft starts if they want to compete with the elite teams.
Feb 23, 2011 at 14:36:31
oj would be better in my eyes.
is there any way we could give a couple players and our 2nd rd pick for a higher 1st round so we can get Pat P.
Yeah!!
Feb 23, 2011 at 15:50:08
I respect the way the Jets went about improving their roster. They got several vets at key positions and drafted for depth with BPA. They had some tough cuts to make, but that’s the way it’s supposed to be. I’d love the Texans to sign Weddle. I thought the Chargers reached a little when they drafted him, but he’s been consistently good – and that’s way better than anyone in the Texans defensive backfield.
Mike, I feel your pain. With the potential/likely lockout, you’d think the Texans would be willing to grab a couple of these released vets.
Feb 23, 2011 at 20:19:23
Building through the draft is fine but its pointless to play the games next season unless they get some seasoned veterans in the secondary
Feb 23, 2011 at 20:42:22
Weddle? Yes, please.