Fan Pulse: Talent is colorless in San Diego

By Neal Coolong  |   Wednesday, July 30, 2008  |  Comments( 9 )

San Diego Chargers
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Chargers fans seem to be colorblind.

In reaction to San Diego Union-Tribune writer Kevin Acee's recent feature piece on safety Eric Weddle - in which he labels Weddle the Great White Irony - fans on Bolt Talk, a Chargers forum, seem less than impressed with Weddle's minority status in the secondary and extremely excited with the amount of ability of former FS Marlon McCree's replacement.

"I am sooooo happy that our floor mat/burned rubber of a safety problem (McCree) could be nothing but a speck in our rearview...I found it funny that the guys they interviewed danced around the fact that he's WHITE."

Not that Acee's comments on Weddle were malicious. Much is expected of Weddle, and fans on Bolt Talk are thinking championship.

"This kids got it all. [A]nd in 7 months he'll have a ring also."

Weddle had 42 tackles, six pass breakups and one interception in his rookie year after general manager A.J. Smith traded up 25 spots in the second round to get the Utah product. He's said to be a great complement to former first-round cornerbacks Quentin Jammer and Antonio Cromartie.

Fans agree.

"I can't remember how many times the corners played the flats hesitantly because they were relectant to let the deep man go to the safety - and when they did, they got burned because the safety (McCree, more often than not) was out of position!"

"(Weddle is) going to benefit the corners greatly because they'll be able to release their man to play the short zone, reassured that when the play as called means "safety help", there'll actually BE safety help."

If Acee's decision to point out the elephant in the room was made for the sake of reaction, he was successful. But in the end Acee and the fans on Bolt Talk know Weddle is a player, and he will be a big part of one of the league's best defenses.

"...Weddle is football smart and instinctive. I have a feeling that (first-round CB Antoine) Cason has a lot of that in him too. Our once weak secondary will be one of the teams greatest strengths...VERY SOON."
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About Neal Coolong

Neal Coolong is a freelance sports writer with contributions to Scout.com, AOL and Steelers Live. He lives with his fiance in St. Paul, Minn., and saves every dime (that she knows about) for their wedding next June. He's already made the prediction that the Steelers 2007 draft class will be one...
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