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When third-round pick Terrell Burgess arrives in Los Angeles as a member of the Rams, he’ll already have a head start on his fellow rookies. The former Utah defensive back is close with Eric Weddle, who just spent the 2019 season with the Rams.
He called Weddle a mentor, as both of them went to Utah and now live in the San Diego area. Burgess values his relationship with Weddle, who’s one of the smartest players to ever step foot on an NFL field.
After being drafted by the Rams, Burgess said he can play anywhere in the secondary and feels like he has an advantage thanks to his ties to Weddle.
#Rams third-round pick Terrell Burgess could play safety or slot cornerback but said he's comfortable anywhere in the secondary. He has a head start with the Rams, counting just-retired safety Eric Weddle as a mentor. Burgess and Weddle both are Utah guys who live in San Diego.
— Kevin Modesti (@KevinModesti) April 25, 2020
While on a Zoom call with reporters after being selected by the Rams, Burgess was getting text messages from Weddle, which shows the two keep in contact.
Terrell Burgess is getting texts from Eric Weddle while he's talking to reporters on Zoom about becoming the next Utah defensive back to join the Rams.
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) April 25, 2020
Weddle, now retired, should be able to help Burgess transition from Utah to the Rams, knowing the team’s playbook and scheme from 2019. Granted, Wade Phillips is out as their defensive coordinator and Brandon Staley is installing his own system, but there should be enough similarities for Weddle’s advice to apply.
Whenever Burgess does get on the field, having Weddle in his corner should be a big help – not just because he’s with the Rams, but in general as he enters the next chapter of his football career.