CHARGERS: Safety in Weddle for Hart, Chargers

Second-year pro's rise to starter a boon for fellow safety

By MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | Sunday, August 3, 2008 8:35 PM PDT ∞

Chargers safeties Eric Weddle, left, and Clinton Hart take part in Saturday's practice at Qualcomm Stadium. Photo by Jamie Scott Lytle - Staff photographer.

SAN DIEGO ---- On the day Clinton Hart signed a five-year contract in April, he expounded on why he was so ecstatic that Eric Weddle would be his safety partner in the Chargers' secondary this season.

Basically, no longer would Hart have to deal with Marlon McCree's occasional stubbornness and inflexibility. McCree was released after the 2007 season, handing his starting job to Weddle, who served as a backup as a rookie last year and impressed Hart in the process.

"He lets me get into a groove out there," Hart said four months ago. "He's flexible. I didn't have that in Marlon McCree. Nothing against Marlon ---- Marlon is a good football player ---- but Eric understands that to be back there with somebody, you've got to be able to work together and let a guy play his game."

Fast forward to August and the Hart-Weddle pairing looks like a winning ticket.

The two defenders are meshing in training camp, further strengthening a secondary that was vastly improved last season by the emergence of then-second-year cornerback Antonio Cromartie.

Weddle's promotion to starting free safety came early enough in the offseason to allow both he and Hart to build on their budding partnership. Working together has only made Hart, the strong safety, grow fonder of Weddle, a former college standout at Utah.

"Eric's great," Hart said Saturday prior to the Chargers' FanFest practice at Qualcomm Stadium. "We have a great relationship on and off the field. I'm definitely excited for him, excited for us and I'm excited to be out there with him.

"We have the opportunity to uphold his status. He was a big-time guy in college. Now he gets the chance to keep that going in the NFL in his second year. That's big for him.

"With him being out there with me, it allows me to play to my strengths. That's what I like about him."

Hart had a career-high five interceptions last season but thinks he can top that number this season. Plus, he says Weddle's presence will allow him to do more than just be a ballhawk.

"I like to be down in the box and I like to go make contact," said Hart, craving more freedom to create chaos when opponents run the ball.

"We both have great ball skills. I know his strengths, and he knows mine. We help each other like that."

Weddle's playing time increased as last season elapsed. He had just one interception in the regular season but added a significant one in the postseason, making a one-handed grab of a Peyton Manning pass to snuff an Indianapolis scoring drive in the victory that advanced the Chargers to the AFC Championship Game.

Weddle had 18 interceptions and forced nine fumbles during his stellar career at Utah, but he's also viewed as a cerebral player. He understands why Hart was occasionally frustrated last season and feels chemistry in the back end will be better this season.

"He and I trust each other," Weddle said of Hart. "We work well with one another. He knows that I have his back if he wants to take a chance or shoot a gap. He knows I'm going to back him up, and there's not going to be a conflict of interest back there."

Chargers coach Norv Turner said the fact the two players were on the field at the same time a lot last season helped with the transition. Turner added that both players can more than adequately play the other's position.

"The two of them are both very, very versatile," Turner said. "They both are mirrors (of each other). They can both play strong or free.

"Clinton is more physical. Obviously, Eric has the range. But they don't have a problem swapping (places) when they have to."

Hart had a career-best 109 tackles last season. At 31, he's the oldest member of the team's secondary. He's also the most vocal.

Weddle had 48 tackles while serving primarily as the team's third safety. A second-round draft pick, Weddle will be under close observation this season as the defense's only new starter.

Not that he has even a slight problem with that.

"I expect a lot of myself as do my teammates and coaches," Weddle said. "I'm excited for it. I'm ready for the challenge, and I expect to make a lot of plays this year."

Chargers notes

Just minutes before the start of Saturday's FanFest practice at Qualcomm Stadium, RB LaDainian Tomlinson was swarmed by young kids seeking his autograph. Tomlinson said the scene never gets old. "Kids are kids, and they like who they like," Tomlinson said. "For me, I think by me talking to them and just shaking their hands, it may impact their life forever. I know when I was a kid, having a chance to meet (Dallas Cowboys legend) Emmitt Smith did the same thing for me." ... The players get their first day off from training camp on Sunday, but the coaching staff will be hard at work. "We've got a lot of work to do as a staff," Chargers coach Norv Turner said. "We've got a lot of tape to look at. You get into two-a-days, and there's a lot of film you're not able to look at during the week. We can get in a good day's work (Sunday)." ... One of the highlights of the FanFest practice was when 5-foot-6 Darren Sproles raced for a touchdown on a return during one of the special teams' segments. The roar of the approximately 10,000 fans in attendance kept rising as Sproles' legs churned faster and faster as he sped downfield.

Contact staff writer Mike Sullivan at (760) 739-6645 or msullivan@nctimes.com.