Eric Weddle talks Pro Bowl selection

FS Eric Weddle has earned the first Pro Bowl selection of his five-year career.

Weddle so far has lived up to the long-term deal he signed with San Diego before the season, making an NFL-best seven interceptions. I spoke with Weddle earlier this afternoon about the honor.

What are your thoughts on making the first Pro Bowl of your career?

Weddle: It’s pretty amazing and exciting. The season we’ve had puts a little damper on it, but I put a lot into it and worked my tail off this offseason to make that next jump and become an elite player in this league. I think I’ve done that. Now it’s all about consistency and continuing a high level of play and help my team win.

When you signed your new five-year contract July 30, you said you were anxious to earn what you got. With your seven interceptions this year and continuing to be solid in run support, do you feel like you’ve done that so far?

Weddle: I still feel there’s room for improvement and there’s plays out there that, as I continue to play, more plays will happen for me. Bigger plays. But it’s all about consistency and being a team player, being a leader, and playing my position the way it’s supposed to be played. I’m never satisfied. Hopefully there’s many more to come, but I’ll definitely take wins over this any day of the week.

As your career has progressed, have you noticed quarterbacks avoiding you more often?

Weddle: Oh, definitely. Throughout the season there’s not many times where quarterbacks have come at me or within my area. It’s a credit to being a smart player and understanding that if you mess up I’ll make you pay for it. It’s frustrating at times. You feel like you’re just out there and you’re not helping your team, but you are. You’ve just got to help them out in different ways. As years have gone on (it happens) more and more, but when they do try you’ve got to make them pay.

You’re representing the franchise along with the two players probably most synonymous with the Chargers, Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates. What does it mean to you to keep that sort of company?

Weddle: It’s big. As a player, you’re always trying to gain and earn the respect of your peers. I wouldn’t say this solidifies it or announces how good I am, but being recognized as one of the better players and one of the great players on this team and in the league is important because you’re always trying to do the best. You’re always trying to show that you’re a great player in this league. I’ll continue to try and prove it and try to continue to be the best. It makes you want to stay at that high level.

Stay true and keep pounding,
Christopher

Inactives: Chargers-Lions

Here are the inactives for today’s game.

San Diego

WR Bryan Walters
CB Shareece Wright
DE Jacques Cesaire
G Tony Moll
OLB Everett Brown
LB Nate Triplett
OLB Travis LaBoy

Detroit

QB Drew Stanton
S Louis Delmas
CB Don Carey
CB Aaron Berry
RB Aaron Brown
G Leonard Davis
DT Andre Fluellen

Stay true and keep pounding,
Christopher

Pregame photos: Chargers at Lions

Pregame photos courtesy of Mike Nowak.

QB Philip Rivers warms up at Ford Field before a crucial game against the Lions.

OLBs Antwan Barns and Shaun Phillips, the team's best pass rushers, will start opposite each other for the first time ever.

G Kris Dielman, on IR for the season, finds a fan with his No. 68 jersey. A view of the visitor's locker room before the game.

Stay true and keep pounding,
Christopher

Inactives: Ravens at Chargers

Here are the inactives for tonight’s game.

San Diego

WR Bryan Walters
CB Shareece Wright
DE Jacques Cesaire
G-T Tony Moll
OLB Everett Brown
LB Nate Triplett

Baltimore

WR LaQuan Williams
WR Tandon Doss
RB Anthony Allen
DB Danny Gorrer
OLB Chavis Williams
NT Brandon McKinney
OLB Sergio Kindle

Stay true and keep pounding,
Christopher

Pregame Photos: Bills at Chargers

Here are some pregame photos from Qualcomm Stadium courtesy of Mike Nowak.

P Mike Scifres warms up on a clear December afternoon in San Diego as the Chargers prepare to host Buffalo.

WR Malcom Floyd, center, will try for his third 100-yard receiving day in his last four games against a depleted Bills secondary.

DT Antonio Garay strolls the field as part of his typical game day routine. He'll be a key figure in clogging the middle against Buffalo RB C.J. Spiller.

The Junior Charger Girls, seen here preparing before the game, will perform at halftime.

Chargers President Dean Spanos signs autographs and poses with fans ahead of the 1:15 p.m. PST kickoff.

 Stay true and keep pounding,
Christopher

Inactives: Bills-Chargers

San Diego

WR Bryan Walters
SS Darrell Stuckey
RB Curtis Brinkley
G-T Tony Moll
OLB Everett Brown
LB Nate Triplett

Buffalo

CB Aaron Williams
DB Josh Nesbitt
LB Antonio Coleman
RT Sam Young
TE Scott Chandler
WR Kamar Aiken
TE Fendi Ondoun

Stay true and keep pounding,
Christopher

Pregame Photos: Chargers at Jaguars

Here are some pregame photos from EverBank Field in Jacksonville, courtesy of Mike Nowak:

P Mike Scifres gets his shoes laced pregame as the Chargers ready for their second Monday Night Football game of the season.

Several Chargers players get in a pregame stretch a few hours before kickoff.

Special teams coach Rich Bisaccia times some of Scifres' punts on the field.

Players huddle inside the bowels of the stadium outside of where the Chargers' locker room lies.

SS Steve Gregory, left, and FS Eric Weddle enjoy their stroll back to the locker room to put on their uniforms.

San Diego's defensive backs prepare to face Jacksonville rookie QB Blaine Gabbert.

A look at one of ESPN's HD cameras that will capture tonight's game.

Chargers President Dean Spanos, left, talks on the field with sideline reporter Sal Paolantonio and director of college scouting John Spanos.

Stay true and keep pounding,
Christopher

Inactives: Chargers at Jaguars

San Diego

WR Bryan Walters
CB Shareece Wright
ILB Na’il Diggs
G-T Ikechuku Ndukwe
T Brandyn Dombrowski
OLB Everette Brown
DE Luis Castillo

Jacksonville

QB Dan LeFevour
CB T.J. Heath
RB/KR Deji Karim
C John Estes
DE Aaron Kampman
DE Matt Roth
LB Stephen Franklin

Stay true and keep pounding,
Christopher