Chargers Notebook: FS Eric Weddle named MVP

Chargers FS Eric Weddle was voted team MVP by his teammates. (US Presswire)

FS Eric Weddle was honored as the Chargers’ MVP for the first time when team awards were announced Friday. Weddle leads San Diego with 103 tackles and three INTs.

“It’s something you can’t really put into words because it is so meaningful,” Weddle said. “You try to work hard every day to be an example and a leader. For my teammates to vote for me is [special]. I will always be among the great names of this organization.”  

Weddle had a career-high seven INTs in 2011 and was voted the Chargers' defensive player of the year last season, in addition to Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors. Weddle is a fifth alternate for the Pro Bowl this season after no Chargers were voted in. But Weddle finds being named team MVP more rewarding than another trip to Hawaii.

“These are the guys that I go to battle with,” Weddle said. “This is your family. For them to think this way towards me is just more meaningful because I work closely with this group. You are always out to get respect from your teammates.”

Other team awards: WR Malcom Floyd won the Rodney Culver Memorial Award as offensive player of the year. DE Corey Liuget (round one, 2011) earned the David Griggs Memorial Award for defensive player of the year. P Mike Scifres earned the special teams player of the year. C Nick Hardwick was named lineman of the year for the second straight season. Also for the second straight year, The Emil Karas Memorial Award for most inspirational player was presented to ILB Takeo Spikes.

Pryor named starter: Raiders (4-11) starting QB Carson Palmer (ribs) will not play against the Chargers (6-9) on Sunday. Coach Dennis Allen named QB Terrelle Pryor (2011 supplemental draft) as the starter Friday over veteran Matt Leinart. “We have kind of been preparing that way,” coach Norv Turner said. “We know that we have to be prepared for both, so that is kind of where our attention has been.”

Pryor will be making his first career start. He briefly appeared in the past two games and was 1 of 2 for 5 yards. The Chargers faced Jets QB Greg McElroy last week in his first career start. The defense got to McElroy for 11 sacks to tie a franchise record. Turner expects Pryor will be more difficult to sack. “This guy can run,” Turner said. “We will have to do a great job with our defensive front in keeping [Pryor] contained.

Injury Report: Doubtful: ILB Donald Butler (groin). Questionable: RB Ronnie Brown (hamstring). Probable: ILB Spikes (hamstring), ILB Demorrio Williams (ankle), and CB Shareece Wright (shoulder).

Game Preview from a Raiders perspective: Raiders Game Preview vs. Chargers: Analysis, prediction, TV info

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