Birds' Eye View

Eagles release Weaver

The Eagles released popular fullback Leonard Weaver, saying he failed a physical today.

38 comments

Eagles release Weaver

POSTED: Thursday, July 28, 2011, 8:52 PM

Jonathan Tamari

The Eagles released popular fullback Leonard Weaver, saying he failed a physical today.

Weaver, big, powerful but friendly, suffered an awful knee injury in last year's season opener. He was due $2.5 million this year. The Eagles will have to pay him $1 million of guaranteed money, according to his agent, Harold Lewis.

In a series of posts, Weaver wrote this on Twitter:

"Now I have mixed feeling about that because I gave everything I had to the organization, and I would think that they would atleast call.... And Let me know what was going on, but as I have learned over the years fans, business is business. I wish the best for the Philadelphia Eagles. I will miss the fans and friends that I have developed over the years. Eagle nations and all of Philly, thank you for your love and support and the prayers."

Weaver would not have been able to play this year -- he is still 6 to 8 months away from having full range of motion in his foot, which was also damaged, Lewis said. But he said Weaver still hopes to get back to the NFL.

"By next year he should be fine," Lewis said.

When Weaver's ready, Lewis said he'd love to return to Philadelphia. He praised the Eagles for giving the fullback such a large contract in the first place, and said Weaver's release was "sad for both sides."

Weaver is known for his charitable work and sunny disposition. Many reporters describe him as one of the most enjoyable athletes to cover and interact with.

The Eagles also released defensive tackle Jeff Owens, who suffered a severe knee injury in his only NFL game, wide receiver Jeremy Williams, cornerback Gerard Lawson and defensive tackle Jeremy Clark. Owens and Williams also failed their physicals.

38 comments

Comments (38)

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 8:59 PM, 07/28/2011

Skinflint Joe Banner won't sleep for a week.

— Wilhelm Von Humboldt

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 9:12 PM, 07/28/2011

Don't understand the release, I thought the birds LOVED players with knee problems. Still no fullback, still no saftey, still no big man receiver to play jump all, who will win 9 times out of ten.

— Voytas

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 12:09 AM, 07/29/2011

Do you follow football? Schmitt was pretty solid last year. He was a Pro Bowl 2nd alternate last season. Not bad for a last second pick up. Cross FB over the list.
Allen, Coleman, and Jarrett will be fine. Probably will pick up a veteran to add to the mix.
Cooper, and to a lesser extent, Avant, have size. Not every team has a WR that's 6'6".

— phillychaos

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 9:18 PM, 07/28/2011

That stinks. He's a nice guy.

— Richard Saunders

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0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 9:23 PM, 07/28/2011

Fullback - Owen Schmitt,
safety - The kid from Temple they got in the second round is a stud,
Big reciever - Riley Cooper - 6-5 and is the guy who went up and got that on-side kick against the Giants. Give him a chance.

— mikegdj