Eric Weddle’s influence with Ravens continues to grow (along with his beard)

12:09 AM ET

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Eric Weddle is beginning a new chapter these days. He is practicing with a team other than the San Diego Chargers for the first time in his 10-year NFL career.

The Baltimore Ravens want to make sure he stays the same, old safety whose leadership is key to fixing their secondary.

“I told him, ‘We want Eric Weddle. Don’t hold back. Don’t be quiet. We want you. If you yelled when you were with the Chargers, I want you coming out here yelling. Just be yourself. Grow the beard back because we want the beard. If that’s who you were, grow the beard,'” said Lardarius Webb, who will start alongside Weddle this season.

During the Ravens’ first full week of offseason practices, Weddle’s influence on the defense is growing, along with that trademark beard. Weddle is talking to a teammate or a coach after every play. He wants to learn not …

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