Jahleel_Addae wiki-commons
One of the biggest challenges facing the San Diego Chargers in training camp this year is the absence of three-time pro bowl free safety, Eric Weddle. Weddle was the leader of the secondary for nine years and his departure has left a serious power vacuum on the back end. As the Chargers move forward, they are looking to Strong Safety Jahleel Addae to be a leader and to fill that vacuum.
Addae started his career in the National Football League as an undrafted free agent out of Central Michigan when he was signed by the Chargers as a special teams contributor in 2013. As his production increased, his role expanded, and the scrappy safety found himself on the field more and more. Addae’s hard work finally paid off when he was named the team’s starting strong safety in 2015, playing opposite Eric Weddle, one of the league’s better free safeties. When asked about the opportunity he had to learn from Weddle, Addae responded:
“Coming in as a young player I latched onto Weddle, I watched everything he did, both on and off the field, as a professional.” (ESPN.go.com)
Now that Addae’s mentor has left for Baltimore in free agency, the fourth-year safety has been appointed the role left open by his friend. It’s Addae’s hard-hitting example that the Chargers are hoping will be the secondary’s benchmark.
Addae is referred to as “The Hitman” and “Friendly Fire” by his teammates and coaches because of his affinity for blowing up opposing running backs and wide receivers. In a recent press conference at the Chargers training facility, Addae confessed
“I’m a physical safety. I love contact. I love imposing my will back there.”
The film below is just one example of the former Chippewa’s brutal hits.
https://vine.co/v/O6VYb0Om6H2
“His explosiveness measures extremely high when we run him through our sports science toys. Addae’s first step is full speed so he can decelerate, change directions and accelerate with the top 1% of the NFL. He plays with the same old dusty chip on his shoulder he had when he went undrafted.”
“They do lean on me. I have been here the longest. I give them what I know. What I learned from Weddle.” www.chargers.com