Los Angeles Chargers: All-Decade defensive team
By Jason Reed
The NFL released its All-Decade team over a week ago and there were two former Los Angeles Chargers that made the list, with one current Charger in Chris Harris, who has not played a snap for the team yet.
It was an otherwise uneventful showing for the Chargers, whose two lone players did not play on the team for much of the decade. Darren Sproles only played on the team for one year in the decade, Eric Weddle through 2015.
With the lack of Chargers on the list, we decided to make our own All-Decade team for just the franchise, splitting it into two separate articles: one for offense, one for defense.
Our All-Decade defensive team has two safeties, two corners, three linebackers and four members on the defensive line to great the cohesive 11-man team.
Los Angeles Chargers All-Decade defense, the safeties:
FS: Eric Weddle (2010-2015)
It would be silly if Eric Weddle made the All-Decade team for the entire league and did not make the cut for the franchise that he spent most of his career in. While Weddle prefers to retire as a Baltimore Raven, because of a rocky relationship with the Chargers, he was still at his best with the Bolts.
Weddle made the Pro Bowl three times with the Chargers, all from 2010 or later, and was an All-Pro twice in that span. His best years with the team spanned from 2010 to 2014, where he was arguably the most talented safety in the entire league.
SS: Jahleel Addae (2013-2018)
If Derwin James just had another year on his resume, or even if he did not get hurt this last season, then he would have made the cut. He is undoubtedly talented enough to make this list, but he will just have to wait until the 2020s All-Decade team.
Addae ranks second in all safeties in games played, tackles, Approximate Value and tackles for loss. The one thing that he does trump Weddle in is sacks, as he has the most safety sacks for the Bolts in the decade with 4.5.
James already has 3.5, all coming in his rookie year. However, because of the overall sum, Addae makes the cut over Derwin James.