New Eagle Weaver would have preferred Seattle
New Eagles fullback Leonard Weaver clearly wanted to remain with Seattle, but he says the Seahawks did not want him, at least not for what he is worth. He said no one from the organization contacted him in the offseason to discuss a potential role and did not make him a fair offer. That, he said, forced him to "resort to this, where I have to make a secondary choice, which I did."
New Eagle Weaver would have preferred Seattle
New Eagles fullback Leonard Weaver clearly wanted to remain with Seattle, but he says the Seahawks did not want him, at least not for what he is worth. He said no one from the organization contacted him in the offseason to discuss a potential role and did not make him a fair offer.
That, he said, forced him to "resort to this, where I have to make a secondary choice, which I did."
“I’ve connected with so many people on a personal level,” Weaver said in a wide-ranging interview with the Tacoma News-Tribune. “And it’s just been a hard deal knowing that I want to be here and I made that clear to the organization a number of times, and here it is we still can’t get nothing done.
“And now it resorts to this where I have to make a secondary choice, which I did. So it makes it very tough."
Weaver signed a 1-year, $1.75 million deal that could escalate to $2.25 million. He was introduced last Friday. He chose the Birds over Tampa Bay, Minnesota, Houston or returning to Seattle.
"No, I don’t think it was fair," he said of what Seattle offered. "I don’t think I was worth that. Of course, that’s my opinion. And I believe I bring a lot to the game. And I wasn’t trying to seek anything that I thought was unreasonable. But at the same I have to also respect that they have a new system coming in. They’ve got new coaching and a new way they’re doing things, and I respect that. Of course I wanted to be there, but obviously you can’t change that aspect of the business."
Weaver said he chose the Eagles because he thought the offense presented the best opportunity for him to fit in quickly and showcase his skills in a system that he was familiar with, especially since he could be out on the free-agent market again at this time next year.
"It’s a good opportunity to show what I can do to not only Philly but other teams out there," he said. "And then if Philly offers a long-term deal, that would be great. But if not, hey man it was a great time and we move on."
He also expressed excitement at playing for a winning team and on an offense with Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook.
"No. 1, that’s one of things I looked at – they’re winning quite a bit," he said. "And that’s not to say the Seahawks haven’t been winning. We had one bad year. I think the Seahawks are going to do great next year, and I believe that they are going to the playoffs. But with the Philadelphia Eagles that played a big role. I mean what two guys would be better to be around than someone like Brian Westrbook – to be able to block for him that would be an honor. And also to play behind McNabb, who can make plays with his arm and his feet. That makes my job a lot easier."
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Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones addressed the release of Terrell Owens with our Paul Domowitch. Among the things Jones said is that Tony Romo will be a better QB without Owens. "Since we want to do everything we can to have Romo play his best, and since I made the decision to release Terrell, I must've thought it gives Tony a better chance to play to the optimum for the Cowboys."
To read more of Domo's report from the NFL owners meetings, click here.
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Add this to the list of "what not to say" in an interview. Dumb.- What an ungrateful indiot! The Eagles just paid you close to two million dollars and you didn't want it to "resort to this". Way to win over the fans already moron!— FloridaBrian
- Can his Philly deal be voided so he can be happier elsewhere?— PhillySubsMac
- didn't dawkins say something very similar just a few weeks ago? it's not the end of the world that he said that, he'll still play his heart out and move on— jbvt7
- We can't blame him for this, Dawkins said the same things. As long as he plays hard I could care less if he wants to be here. He will play hard because he has a one year deal and next year could be uncapped. Ca-Ching— 4 for 4
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- It's what he was used to and I'm sure Weaver was comfortable. But he will like Philly once he gets here. Lots of players make Philly home after they play here. Big market and a nice sports town most of the time.— Chuckle Berry
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- WOW, what a great NON story. Really, just about every free agent says the same thing when they sign with a new team and leave their old fans who supported the player in the past. He is either doing it to save face for "selling out" or being serious. Either way, non story. Eagle fans who want to dis him now for saying this are purely ignorant and just want to hate! I am pretty sure most the FA we picked up said the same thing when we got them and the ones we lost said the same thing (see dawkins). Philly isnt the center of the world. Really...— joefut2
- What a dope. And cheap too. He should fit right in with this organization.— Brauny
- I don't see why anyone with good sense would be offended by his statements. He gave the intereview to a Tacoma newspaper. Guys like Dawk and Tre said they wanted to remain Eagles and didn't get much cooporation from The Banner Group and many accused them of splitting for the bucks. It happens that some players really want to remain with their teams but those desires are reciprocated. He'll do very well for the Birds. Sorry that things didn't work out for him in Seattle...but...that's their loss. Glad we FINALLY have a FB.— hope55
I probably would have worded it differently but no big deal, non story.— argonne- I think a lot of people would rather stay where they are if they had a choice. It's a pain to move all the way across country, learn a new job or in his case a new system. Also, meeting new friends or people. I don't think this reflects on his desire to play for the Eagles, after-all their were other teams in the mix. Now he may end-up liking Philly more than Seattle and at least he is honest. So many of you condemn someone for not being truthful and then when they are you criticize for being honest.— Mohave_Sun
- I feel so bad for this guy who had to "settle" for ONLY $2 million to play a GAME!!!! Sounds like a real winner. Maybe he should just be grateful and feel blessed at the position he is in and what God gave him? Maybe he will come out tomorrow with an explanation? This is like the kid that transfered to Nova from Duke, and said "sitting out this season is the hardest thing he had to deal with in his life," since he had to sit out this season since HE CHOSE to transfer. If that's the hardest thing he has had to deal with in his life, he is a pretty lucky guy.— scars73
