August 25th, 2015. That day is burned into the brains of every Dallas Cowboys fan there is.
It was on that fateful Tuesday afternoon when #32 for the Dallas Cowboys, Orlando Scandrick, laid on the ground in the California sun writhing in pain from a torn ACL – which would snatch away his 2015 season from him.
While it is widely known that Scandrick will be making his return to the Cowboys in 2016, he might not be the only Defensive Back who was wearing #32 in California that day to do so.
Free Safety Eric Weddle, formerly of the San Diego Chargers, is a Free Agent looking for a new home. Exactly 200 days after Scandrick’s injury word trickled down through the Twittersphere that it could be Dallas, TX.
Three teams keeping close tabs on former Pro Bowl safety Eric Weddle – #Ravens, #Cowboys and #Steelers.
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 12, 2016
Who exactly is Eric Weddle? Well if you just go off of photos, or his Twitter handle, then you know that the dude rocks a pretty righteous beard. What you might not know is just how incredible of a Free Safety he is.
Weddle has played 9 seasons in his NFL career. He has amassed 680 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 19 interceptions (3 of which he took to the house), 5 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries (1 of which he also cashed in for six points).
Eric’s been to the Pro Bowl three times and been named a First-Team All-Pro twice. His resume is immaculate.
The Dallas Cowboys currently have two pretty subpar starting safeties in Barry Church and JJ Wilcox. Church is a Team Captain so he’s got some positive vibes going for him, but JJ Wilcox is still chasing Jordan Matthews in overtime of the second Philly game. Many have speculated that last year’s rookie standout Byron Jones will supplant Wilcox as he did at points throughout the 2015 season.
Well what if Byron had a guy like Eric Weddle next to him? Doesn’t that sound interesting? I tweeted out this hypothetical late Friday night and had someone, a staunch advocate for Jalen Ramsey, say that a Weddle signing would ensure the Cowboys disinterest in the Florida State Seminole. Hold those horses.
Walk with me down Hypothetical Avenue, a street I admittedly frequent, and imagine this:
- The Dallas Cowboys sign Eric Weddle.
- Jalen Ramsey is drafted with the 4th Overall Pick by the Dallas Cowboys (which a Colin Kaepernick trade helps happen).
Byron Jones is thought to be playing safety, sure, but what if he didn’t? What we know more than anything about Byron is that he is a phenomenal Defensive Back. The same can be said for Jalen Ramsey.
Big part of why I love Jalen Ramsey. "Is he a corner or safety?" Dunno. He's a "cover their best guy".
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) March 12, 2016
The Cowboys aren’t likely to bench both Wilcox and Church so imagine that Weddle replaces the former. You’ve got your safety spots ensured, a returning Orlando Scandrick, a re-signed Morris Claiborne, some loose change in Terrance Mitchell & Deji Olatoye, and two hybrid Defensive Backs in Byron Jones & Jalen Ramsey. All of a sudden that secondary sounds pretty scary, doesn’t it?
Eric Weddle’s presence allows that to happen. Let’s bring him to Dallas and get to work.
What are your thoughts on Eric Weddle to the Cowboys? Let us know! Comment below, Email me at RJ@RJOchoaShow.com, or Tweet to me at @rjochoa!
That alignment sounds pretty awesome! However I'm starting to believe Ramsey will be gone by #4. But there could be some trading in the early part of the draft that could change everything. Can't wait for the draft! Buckle up!
Cowboys need Waddle but the Joneses will pee it a way by waiting We need a new onwner.
Oh god, Weddle was not a good player at all last year. Freaking PASS.