The Philadelphia Eagles reached a one-year contract agreement with free agent
FB Leonard Weaver, Scout.com has confirmed. Weaver will make at
least $1.75 million this season and can make up to $2.5 million if he hits all
the incentives in the deal. The athletic fullback could also see a short-yardage
role in addition to his blocking duties.
Philadelphia has been looking for an upgrade at the fullback position for a few
seasons and tried converted DT Dan Klecko at the position last season.
A veteran of four NFL seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, Weaver (6-0, 242)
played in 14 games (7 starts) in 2008, recording 352 total yards from scrimmage
(130 rushing, 222 receiving) and two touchdown receptions. In 46 career regular
season games (11 starts), the 26-year-old Weaver has amassed 356 yards and one
touchdown rushing, while posting 60 receptions for 547 yards and two scores.
Originally a rookie free agent signing of Seattle in 2005, Weaver appeared in
all 16 games in his rookie campaign as the back-up to former All-Pro fullback
Mack Strong. After missing the entire 2006 season with an ankle injury,
Weaver rebounded in 2007 to play in all 16 games, and took over as the starting
fullback after Strong was placed on IR on October 9 with a neck injury. That
season, Weaver recorded career highs in rushing yards (146), receptions (39),
and receiving yards (313), while adding one rushing touchdown. In addition,
Weaver notched his first career playoff touchdown, a 17-yard score in the NFC
Wild Card game vs. Washington.
A product of Carson-Newman College, Weaver earned Division II All-America honors
as a senior tight end in 2004, posting 27 catches for 571 yards and a team-high
eight touchdowns. Originally recruited as a linebacker, Weaver shifted to tight
end as a sophomore in 2002. The Melbourne, FL, native was a running back and
quarterback at Satellite HS.
The Houston Texans, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Seahawks
also showed interest in him.
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