LJ FB: Weddle on RB-LJ FB

Eric Weddle (left), former five-time All-Pro

at safety in the NFL, talks with referees

before Rancho Bernardo's game at

La Jolla High Sept. 8.

(Photo by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

Eric Weddle is in his first year as head football coach at Rancho Bernardo. During his playing career, the 5'11", 195-pound speedster was a consensus All-American at Utah at safety. (He recorded a time of 1.43 for 10 yards in the NFL combine, tied then with two others for the fastest split time.)

He played nine years for the Chargers, three for the Baltimore Ravens, and the L.A. Rams a final season. He came out of retirement, due to injuries to Rams' safeties, in the playoffs two years later to help lead the Rams to a 23-20 Super Bowl victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. He was a Pro Bowler six times, first-team All-Pro two times, and second-team All-Pro three times.

This conversation took place before the Vikings' home game against RB Fri., Sept. 8.

Q: You played a little more football than I did. (joking) I never played football.

That's all right. (in a friendly mood)

Q: When my brother and I were little kids, our mother had a brother who had an injury in ice hockey. She told us, "You will never play football."

That's all right. You were in sports.

Q: What did you guys learn against Point Loma last week about your team (Sept. 1, a 10-7 win with no scoring in the second half)?

Yeah, I feel like we are a tough-minded group. When things may not be going the way we're playing, we're going to fight, stay the course. And it epitomizes that win, 10-7 at half.

Q: That was at half, and it stayed that way?

Yeah. (chuckling) It was a battle of who wanted it more, who's going to fight to the bitter end, and it came down to the last stop of the game to get it.

Q: Your place or theirs?

It was at our place.

Q: Okay, one other question. Who for you guys would you like to see step up individually?

I want to see our offense be successful on early downs. I want our quarterback to make good decisions, get the ball out, complete passes. And if I wanted to point one guy out, it would be our quarterback, Josh Thompson. I want to see high level.

Q: He's a junior. (flipping to the roster)

Yes.

Q: Good luck tonight.