Eagles happy with Weaver: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that it's been a while since the Eagles had a player like Leonard Weaver, a FB who can block, run, and catch the football. It's been so long that it raises the question: How will the team that thought so little of the position that it went into last season without a traditional fullback utilize Weaver? "Leonard is a true fullback who has other skills," Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said. "He has good running skills as well as pass receiving skills. So, we'll try to put him in positions where he can get some success in those areas." By bringing in a top-notch fullback, the Eagles address their need for a lead blocker for RB Brian Westbrook and have someone who can carry some of Westbrook's load. (Updated 05/05/2009).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 7/9/09).
Fantasy Analysis
Andy Reid has gone on the record as an admirer of Weaver the runner. Asked Sunday if the acquisitions of Weaver, two offensive linemen (Jason Peters and Stacy Andrews), and a rookie running back (LeSean McCoy) signaled a newfound devotion to the run, the Eagles coach joked: "We're striving to lead the league in rushing this year." Weaver ran 30 times for 130 yards with Seattle, but was hardly used in short yardage situations. Of all his abilities, Weaver may be best at receiving. Last season, he had 20 catches for 222 yards; the year before, 39 for 313 yards. Even though he will add something to the offense, Weaver won't post enough stats on a regular basis to warrant Fantasy use. Keep him off of rosters. (Updated 05/05/2009).
FB Leonard Weaver had a few parting shots directed at the front office of his former team, the Seattle Seahawks. Weaver said he wanted to remain with Seattle, but that the team did not pursue him during free agency, and he ultimately signed a one-year, $1.75 million deal that could go as high as $2.5 million if he reaches incentives because the Eagles will give him the best opportunity to showcase his versatility as a blocker, pass catcher and runner. "I felt like if they wanted me to come back to the organization, they would have put me in contact with someone involved in the offense, or somebody who's looking and saying, ???Hey, we maybe would want to use this guy in this offense,'" Weaver said. "But nobody did, so I kind of felt like, ???Okay, at least I know where I stand in terms of what direction they want to go.'" The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported that, according to a team source, the Seahawks did have interest in Weaver at a certain salary level and would have begun working with him had he signed, but that it would be counterproductive for the coaching staff to discuss specific roles with players who aren't under contract. Weaver also said there was a division in the locker room last season, stating that Jim Mora's eventual takeover as the team's head coach may have contributed to Seattle's 4-12 season. During his interview in Philadelphia, Weaver addressed that issue. "I think it affected us as a team a lot," Weaver said. "Some players, I think in some sense, it kind of got divided. The team divided a little bit. Some guys were for Mike(Holmgren), some guys were for Jim. And, you know, I think when you make a move like that, that's not the best move for a team. However, it was what it was." Seahawks running back T.J. Duckett, signed by Seattle team president Tim Ruskell last offseason and who played for Mora while in Atlanta, responded to Weaver's statement in an interview with a Seattle-area radio station. "I never felt the focus was on who was going t 32/6/2009
No information available at this time.
Eagles happy with Weaver: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that it's been a while since the Eagles had a player like Leonard Weaver, a FB who can block, run, and catch the football. It's been so long that it raises the question: How will the team that thought so little of the position that it went into last season without a traditional fullback utilize Weaver? "Leonard is a true fullback who has other skills," Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said. "He has good running skills as well as pass receiving skills. So, we'll try to put him in positions where he can get some success in those areas." By bringing in a top-notch fullback, the Eagles address their need for a lead blocker for RB Brian Westbrook and have someone who can carry some of Westbrook's load. (Updated 05/05/2009).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 7/9/09).
Fantasy Analysis
Andy Reid has gone on the record as an admirer of Weaver the runner. Asked Sunday if the acquisitions of Weaver, two offensive linemen (Jason Peters and Stacy Andrews), and a rookie running back (LeSean McCoy) signaled a newfound devotion to the run, the Eagles coach joked: "We're striving to lead the league in rushing this year." Weaver ran 30 times for 130 yards with Seattle, but was hardly used in short yardage situations. Of all his abilities, Weaver may be best at receiving. Last season, he had 20 catches for 222 yards; the year before, 39 for 313 yards. Even though he will add something to the offense, Weaver won't post enough stats on a regular basis to warrant Fantasy use. Keep him off of rosters. (Updated 05/05/2009).
The Seahawks could be a surprise team for Fantasy owners in 2009 if all of their parts can stay on the field. Our Dave Richard takes a close look at Seattle's potential this season.
