IS GLAD SPRING TRAINING IS FINALLY HERE
Weaver, who had spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Seattle Seahawks, received a one-year deal. Lewis said the deal could be worth as much as $2.5 million.
"I looked at Philly as a great opportunity to play for a team that really needed somebody at my position," Weaver said during a conference call today.
Though Weaver had targeted Philadelphia as the place he wanted to be even before the start of free agency, it took three weeks for him to sign and there was a time period where it looked as if he might go elsewhere.
"We had several teams after us, but my agent called me last night and said Philadelphia was ready to do it, so now I'm here and I'm excited about it," Weaver said.
Lewis said Weaver had also received interest and even multi-year offers from other teams. Minnesota, Tampa Bay, Houston and Seattle had all expressed interest, Lewis said, but the agent and Weaver decided the Eagles were the best fit.
"When you look at the Eagles' fullback situation, they haven't had a true fullback since Jon Ritchie," Lewis said. "Leonard is not a one-dimensional fullback. He's a guy who can catch the ball, run the ball and block. He's a perfect fit for that offense. This is a team that was one game away from playing in the Super Bowl and a guy like Leonard might make the difference. That's why he chose Philadelphia."
Lewis said the hope is that Weaver, 26, will perform so well that the Eagles will want to extend his contract by the middle of next season.
"Once they see what they have, I think they'll want the opportunity to sign him to a long-term deal and, if not, he'll be a free agent again," Lewis said. "But I believe he'll be buying a home in Philadelphia. He's a solid, solid football player."
Lewis had 80 career carries 356 yards and one touchdowns in three seasons with the Seahawks. He missed the 2006 season because of injury. He also has 60 career catches for 547 yards and two touchdowns.
"I felt like ever since I came into the league I was an offensive weapon," Weaver said. "I pride myself on being versatile."
Weaver said he felt that versatility may have hurt him on the free-agent market because teams didn't know whether the 6-foot, 242-pounder was a fullback or a running back.
"I call myself a fullback," Weaver said. "I'm a guy who can block. I can go into a hole and hit people and I can go into a hole and run the football. I'm going to come in and do what they ask me to do. I'm looking to come in and lead block and open up some holes for (Brian) Westbrook. If they decide to give me the ball, that's a blessing. If not, you won't hear a word come out of my mouth."
