The Rise of Roderic Teamer Chargers: An Up-and-Coming Safety
Introduction
The Los Angeles Chargers have had a rough go of it lately, but one bright spot has been the emergence of young safety Roderic Teamer. After going undrafted in 2019, Teamer signed with the Chargers and quickly worked his way up the depth chart. In his rookie year, he played in seven games and recorded 40 tackles, two passes defensed, and one interception. Although he missed most of the 2020 season due to injury, he's poised to have a breakout year in 2021.
Background
Undrafted but Undaunted
Roderic Teamer played his college ball at Tulane University, where he was a standout safety. Despite his impressive college career, however, he went undrafted in 2019. Many players would have given up at that point, but Teamer remained undaunted. He signed with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent and immediately got to work.
Quickly Rising Through the Ranks
Teamer's work ethic and natural talent quickly caught the attention of the Chargers coaching staff. He worked his way up the depth chart and made his NFL debut in Week 5 of the 2019 season. He started the following week and never looked back, finishing his rookie year with 40 tackles, two passes defensed, and one interception.
Skills and Style of Play
Range and Versatility
One of Teamer's greatest strengths is his range as a safety. He has the speed and agility to cover a lot of ground, which allows him to play both deep and close to the line of scrimmage. This versatility is valuable to the Chargers defense, as it makes it harder for opposing offenses to predict what he'll do on any given play.
Physicality and Toughness
Another hallmark of Teamer's game is his physicality and toughness. He's not afraid to come up and make a big hit, and he's also a reliable tackler in space. This makes him a valuable asset in run support and in coverage against tight ends and slot receivers.
Ball Skills and Instincts
Finally, Teamer has demonstrated an impressive ability to make plays on the ball. He has good instincts and reads quarterbacks well, which has allowed him to make a number of key interceptions and pass breakups. He also has good hands and can take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves.
