FB Weaver Felt That Eagles Were Best Fit
March 20, 2009
| Last Updated: 3/20/09 6:03 PM ET
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Comments (74)
By: CHRIS McPHERSON
The Eagles took care of two off-season needs with one move on Friday.
Unrestricted free agent fullback Leonard Weaver has agreed to terms with the Eagles on a one-year deal. He is headed to Philadelphia where he will be introduced at a press conference at noon on Saturday. You can watch Weaver's introduction live on a special Eagles Live! with Dave Spadaro beginning at 11:30 AM. Even though a number of other teams expressed interest in Weaver, he thought Philadelphia was the best fit for him.
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| FB Leonard Weaver |
"When I looked at Philly, I looked at the type of offense they run," Weaver said via conference call. "In free agency, a lot of the guys look at the money. For me, that wasn't really the case. I looked at more of the opportunity. I hope I get a chance to catch passes, but they called me to do some blocking and that's exactly what I'm expected to do. I looked at the offense and it's basically the same offense Mike Holmgren ran in Seattle. I liked the opportunities there, so I took a chance."
The 6-foot, 242-pound Weaver will assume the starting fullback role here after spending his first four seasons in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks. Originally signed as a rookie free agent out of Carson-Newman in 2005, the 26-year-old is well-versed in the West Coast Offense. Weaver is more than just a lead blocker; he's also an effective weapon out of the backfield.
In 46 career regular season games, Weaver has 80 carries for 356 yards (4.4 yards per carry) for one touchdown. Also add in another 60 receptions for 547 yards and two touchdowns, both of which came in a single game against the 49ers this past season. In that game, he caught four passes for 116 yards and the two touchdowns. One of those scores was a 62-yard catch-and-run where he outraced the entire 49ers defense.
"One of the things I pride myself on is being versatile," Weaver said. "Not just being able to block, but also to be able to catch (the ball) out of the backfield and being able to run. It's just a matter of getting me behind the right coach to help me develop those skills. I had the right coach in (Seattle in) Stump Mitchell. From that point on, it kind of solidified who I was in terms of a pass catcher out of the backfield and it solidified to defensive coordinators that this guy could run and catch the ball as a fullback, so we have to account for him as well.
Weaver is the second big free-agent addition to the offense this off-season along with tackle Stacy Andrews. With this move, last year's starting fullback, Dan Klecko, will move back to defensive tackle. Klecko began last season as a defensive tackle and recorded two sacks before he made the switch. Weaver's athleticism also gives the Eagles another option at running back after the departure of Correll Buckhalter. The Eagles also have Kyle Eckel at fullback, who was signed in the middle of last season and chipped in on short-yardage situations.
Named a Division II All-America in his senior season at Carson-Newman as a tight end, Weaver finished with 27 catches for 571 yards and eight touchdowns. He started his college career as a linebacker, but was moved to tight end in his sophomore season. The Melbourne, Fla., native was a running back and quarterback at Satellite High School. Another reason Weaver signed with the Eagles is because he wanted to return to the East Coast.
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Year
|
GP
|
Att.
|
Yards
|
Avg.
|
Long
|
TDs
|
| 2005 |
16 |
17 |
80 |
4.7 |
24 |
0 |
| 2006 |
IR - High ankle sprain |
| 2007 |
16 |
33 |
146 |
4.4 |
37 |
1 |
| 2008 |
14 |
30 |
130 |
4.3 |
15 |
0 |
| Career |
46 |
80 |
356 |
4.5 |
37 |
1 |
|
Year
|
GP
|
Rec.
|
Yards
|
Avg.
|
Long
|
TDs
|
| 2005 |
16 |
1 |
12 |
12.0 |
12 |
0 |
| 2006 |
IR - High ankle sprain |
| 2007 |
16 |
39 |
313 |
8.0 |
46 |
0 |
| 2008 |
14 |
20 |
222 |
11.1 |
62 |
2 |
| Career |
46 |
60 |
547 |
9.1 |
62 |
2 |
gromgrimfist
03/24/09
4:06 am ET |
You guys are funny. No matter what a tackle is being picked first round the O-line is to bigof a ? right now so if we trade for boldin your looking at a third round back and a second round te most likely
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jgrace927
03/23/09
10:32 pm ET |
eaglesman64 there is no way that we could possibly spend all of our cap on signing rookies and there is no way we r heading into camp with 12 rookies. that being said i think the only horrible move by the FO is dawkins going - were they cheap? ABSOLUTELY!!! every1 is right in saying we need to buff up the WR position - i personally dont think it needs to be the most important issue in the draft - focus on RB, T, and TE first. i like the 28th pick, a 3rd, and Brown for Boldin idea alot. then in draft pick up either Wells or Moreno and a solid tackle in the 2nd round
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cjben0511@...
03/23/09
8:42 pm ET |
EVRY TRUE IGGLES FAN!!!! Please check out: www.bleedgreenforever.blogspot.com! I dont mean to ruin the conversation but EVERY PERSON I TOLD FROM THIS SITE LOVED IT, and if you do too, click "Follow this blog" on it. Thanks, spread eagles nation! GO EAGLES!!!!
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cjben0511@...
03/23/09
8:42 pm ET |
EVRY TRUE IGGLES FAN!!!! Please check out: www.bleedgreenforever.blogspot.com! I dont mean to ruin the conversation but EVERY PERSON I TOLD FROM THIS SITE LOVED IT, and if you do too, click "Follow this blog" on it. Thanks, spread eagles nation! GO EAGLES!!!!
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serranoj21
03/22/09
11:53 am ET |
I would have to admit that I was one of the fans that were going ballistic during the beginning of FA; after I got over it I started to vision this new 09 Eagles squad and I can honestly think that it's not as bad as it seemed a month ago. I'm excited about Weaver and Westbrook in the back field.
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eaglesman64@...
03/22/09
10:38 am ET |
Just got the news about Weaver(I've been busy) and I'm thrilled. I disagree with all of you panicking over the WR situation (we can go into the draft now)and agree with most of you who are saying we need to package 4or5 day 2 picks to move up. For those of you who wrongly call the FO cheap let me ask you this. If they weren't so good at managing the cap, how do you propose that we would be able to sign all the quality players we will be drafting this year ?
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kehampton65@...
03/21/09
6:41 pm ET |
truth be told, he won't be there at #21 i would rather trade up in the first round and get the drafts best TE in pettigrew then trade away a pick for arizona's 2nd best wide-out. a tight end rolling off a block is a better option for our style of football then a wide-out down the side with a corner covering and a safety over top. it just fits the program better. Quaranteed to open up westbrook in the flat opposite side. Westbrooks back at number 1 for all-purpose yardage.
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kehampton65@...
03/21/09
6:23 pm ET |
i think bolden would give mac a security blanket, i don't think he will put up the numbers he did in arizona. only because of the mcnabbs proven history ( which is a good one)
Mac has the best ever touchdown to interception rating because he does'nt force the ball into double coverage. The best thing that would come out of boldin comming to the eagles, would be the pressure it would take off of the other wide-outs.
and again can we afford to be wrong on top dollar boldin. I hate to say this again, but Randall cunningham threw 30 td's to rookies wide-out fred barnett and calvin williams. This isn't about mcnabb this about the team. If we would play for 60 minutes the way we play the last 15 we would be in the history books with the Dolphins
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mang1ra
03/21/09
6:08 pm ET |
kehampton65, I 1st felt we needed to trade for Bolden. If we do, I'm OK. We don't....I look forward to the draft. My opinion, Bolden would be happy in Philly. Djack / Curtis would indeed flourish. You can't tell me that DMac wouldn't love to throw to Bolden / Djack / Curtis / Avant and Baskett?
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kehampton65@...
03/21/09
5:51 pm ET |
mang1ra, if we get him i hope your right. With the system he is in, all he has ever seen is single coverage. In philly he will no doubt demand double coverage, which could be a great thing for curtis and jackson. But if that is what happens then you have the same boldin that is is arizona. the one that is not happy. we don't need that. the west coast offense is based on getting rid of the ball quickly and that will to be to players in single coverage.
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mang1ra
03/21/09
5:49 pm ET |
Would love to see Mr. Williams in Eagle Green. I also believe our Eagles gave up on Tony Hunt. Although Tony needed to carry the ball multiple times to get going. Love my
PSU Boys!!!! Should the Eagles be looking for a Center late in the draft...A Q Shipley. Forget Mack from Cal.
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thriceanointed
03/21/09
5:47 pm ET |
Boldin might not be a #1 receiver on his team, but that's because Fitz is ridiculous. Boldin would be a #1 on any other team.
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kehampton65@...
03/21/09
5:43 pm ET |
My surprise impact player for the eagles from the draft:
Some where late third early forth round, this kid is getting over looked. Derek Williams (Penn State)
1) Great Kick and punt returner
(Maybe save jackson from getting killed)
2) Add depth to the wide outs (Not over whelming speed but, great hands and great route runner)
3) Experienced at running the wild-cat formation (Worked for us last season)
4) Gives us a chance to open up the offense with a reverse option pass to jackson. ( This kid can throw a football)
5) Great leader on and off the field
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mang1ra
03/21/09
5:39 pm ET |
kehampton65....Bolden is not a #2 WR. Anquan Bolden is a BEAST!!!!!!! He is definetly a #1 Wideout. However, I do agree He's not worth Both of our 1st rd picks. He's worth our #28, our 3rd rd and/or Reggie Brown.
I doubt if we get him.
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mang1ra
03/21/09
5:39 pm ET |
kehampton65....Bolden is not a #2 WR. Anquan Bolden is a BEAST!!!!!!! He is definetly a #1 Wideout. However, I do agree He's not worth Both of our 1st rd picks. He's worth our #28, our 3rd rd and/or Reggie Brown.
I doubt if we get him.
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kehampton65@...
03/21/09
5:25 pm ET |
c'mon eagles fans where's the faith. For ten years andy reid has placed a team on the field that can compete with anybody in the league. Andy has been, by far the most consistent head coach we have ever had. Tackles are not going to be a problem, he knows the system, most teams are done with free agency. The clearance sale will soon begin,experienced, proven left tackles like orlando pace still wants to play and soon will swallow the pride thats keeping them from signing for less. runyan is still out there and i won't be surprise to see him back on the roster for another year.you can always move one of the andrew brothers to the left side.
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kehampton65@...
03/21/09
5:02 pm ET |
it really doesn't matter if reid throws on 3rd and inches because the defense will now have to respect the short yardage run game, best of both worlds
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kehampton65@...
03/21/09
4:57 pm ET |
people are saying arizona won't trade boldin unless they get both of our first round no freakin way. who knows for sure if boldin will even be worth it. yea, he's a great wide out in arizona wheres he's the number 2. what happens when he draws the attention larry fiztgerald does nobody knows how he will re-act and there is to many needs for the eagles and to much raw talent in the first round to even be that stupid.
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srt081@...
03/21/09
4:54 pm ET |
great signing, for as much slack as front office took we had a good FA period on paper, time will obviously tell, cannot wait for draft day! lots of options here
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johnsoprano16
03/21/09
4:12 am ET |
Step 1 is in the Books
Step 2: Solidify the L Tackle Position
Step 3: Upgrade the WR Position
I think the Eagles should take care of Steps 2 & 3 with s Move Up in the Draft and a FA PU
From the Heart. it's tough to see Dawkins go, but with what's left and the recent aquistion from Cleveland, the Safety Spot is covered.
Poised for a COMPLETE run THROUGH the Superbowl
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jeffreyklwhip@...
03/20/09
10:17 pm ET |
ok listen here. We got weaver that sets us up in that problem. our defense looks pretty solid with jones and baker. Srry ur gone dawkins good luck in denver. but our recieving team. there good but we need a #1 reciever we can count on in close games. most of the games the eagles lost by were by 4 and 1 or by at leat 4 pts. i like how all of you are saying boldin, but i still think heres another T.O. i think we should get boldin because of his talent then in the draft with the eagles 1st pick the one and only BRANDON PETTIGREW!!! our offense will spring he is the biggest te prospect out there good at blocking, has great hands, doesnt fumble alot. i think hes a good fit for philadelphia. they should get him. or im considering knosean moreno because the eagles need someone behind westbrook no doubt about it. 12 picks is more than enough for the eagles to get some talent in the draft they already got a talented team i see them going all the way next year. and brady getting hurt again.
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jeffreyklwhip@...
03/20/09
10:12 pm ET |
ok listen here. We got weaver that sets us up in that problem. our defense looks pretty solid with jones and baker. Srry ur gone dawkins good luck in denver. but our recieving team. there good but we need a #1 reciever we can count on in close games. most of the games the eagles lost by were by 4 and 1 or by at leat 4 pts. i like how all of you are saying boldin, but i still think heres another T.O. i think we should get boldin because of his talent then in the draft with the eagles 1st pick the one and only BRANDON PETTIGREW!!! our offense will spring he is the biggest te prospect out there good at blocking, has great hands, doesnt fumble alot. i think hes a good fit for philadelphia. they should get him. or im considering knosean moreno because the eagles need someone behind westbrook no doubt about it. 12 picks is more than enough for the eagles to get some talent in the draft they already got a talented team i see them going all the way next year. and brady getting hurt again.
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jeffreyklwhip@...
03/20/09
10:11 pm ET |
ok listen here. We got weaver that sets us up in that problem. our defense looks pretty solid with jones and baker. Srry ur gone dawkins good luck in denver. but our recieving team. there good but we need a #1 reciever we can count on in close games. most of the games the eagles lost by were by 4 and 1 or by at leat 4 pts. i like how all of you are saying boldin, but i still think heres another T.O. i think we should get boldin because of his talent then in the draft with the eagles 1st pick the one and only BRANDON PETTIGREW!!! our offense will spring he is the biggest te prospect out there good at blocking, has great hands, doesnt fumble alot. i think hes a good fit for philadelphia. they should get him. or im considering knosean moreno because the eagles need someone behind westbrook no doubt about it. 12 picks is more than enough for the eagles to get some talent in the draft they already got a talented team i see them going all the way next year. and brady getting hurt again.
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jgrace927
03/20/09
9:12 pm ET |
First, we shouldnt get Holt - he's out of his prime. For the draft, I hope we pick up either Wells or Moreno with the 21st pick and then a good tackle with the 28th. Now that we signed Weaver there's now only 3 big positions that need help - tackle, running back, and ofcourse reciever. Get the running back and tackle in the draft. Maybe trade for Boldin by giving up the 28th pick, along with a 3rd, and then give them someone else that we dont really need but somehow helps them (idk if they need a FB, but maybe eckel now that we got weaver?). We could always trade back up into the 2nd and 3rd rounds with all of our other picks (there's no way we are gonna have 12 rookies going into camp anyways). I dont think we will trade up for a tackle or anyone else because we simply dont have too. There are plenty of tackles in this draft, looking at mock drafts most of the recievers are not going to be drafted that early, and same with the running backs.
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mls627
03/20/09
8:00 pm ET |
Signing Weaver was a great addition for the offense. You guys have some greatt points, Yes Mcnabb had time to throw, but still sometimes receivers didn't get open. have a great O-line does what?? When you have a great running attack, your passing game is even more lethal. Weaver will help greatly in protecting Mcnabb and catching dumpoffs. This could be a scary offense and we haven't even gotten to the draft yet. The D will be very solid as well. It has the makings to be a very great year!! I will see the birds in Atlanta this year... Can't wait!!!... Dawkins, sorry you took the money and ran, cause you will do some running with that Denver D... Good luck Dawk!!
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