Weaver tries to clear the air
At this point, Eagles fans don't know exactly what role new fullback Leonard Weaver will fill next season.
Weaver tries to clear the air
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
At this point, Eagles fans don't know exactly what role new fullback Leonard Weaver will fill next season.
Will Andy Reid use him in the passing game? Can he convert on short yardage? How often will he be on the field?
Like I said, we're not sure as of yet.
But after listening to his radio interview on 1290 The Ticket, one thing is certain. He's bringing a unique personality with him from Seattle.
Weaver made waves earlier this week when he called Philadelphia his "secondary choice" behind the Seahawks.
Inquirer columnist Bob Ford ripped into him pretty good over on Post Patterns yesterday.
But in his most recent radio interview, Weaver tried to clear the air, saying he wants to be in Philadelphia, and he didn't mean any disrespect with his earlier comments.
"I want to let people know, any time you start your career somewhere, of course you would love to stay there," he said. "That's where you started. You've got relationships. But anytime you have an opportunity to go somewhere else where you can excel, I mean that's what you do. And I was very excited. I let Seattle know at that particular time that yeah, when they asked me 'Do you want to stick around?' I told 'em yeah, and this is before free agency even started, but obviously in doing so, you know, we had to definitely make another decision. And we definitely had several other teams, but Philly is the place that I wanted to be."
I didn't include them in the quotes, but Weaver says 'man' and 'bro' before and after pretty much every sentence. In other words, Joe Conklin has a new impression to learn for sure.
Weaver continued, indicating his words had been taken out of context.
"It seems like a lot of things that I’ve been saying that have been written have definitely been misconstrued," he said. "I told people, I said you know man, don’t do me like that. I was like you know the kind of guy I am. I’m a truthful, honest guy, bro. I know some people may not like it, but you know man, no. Philly is where I am man. This is my new home. I’m looking forward to getting things started man. We’re gonna see what the future holds. It’s a one-year deal. I’m hoping that I come in and do what I need to do and they like me enough to say, 'you know what, we want you here for the rest of your career' and then hey, there we go. We got a new home. So I’m excited man."
And now my favorite part. We've added a name to the list of Philadelphia athletes who refer to themselves in the third person. But the great part about Weaver is that he doesn't refer to himself as 'Leonard' or 'Weaver.' Instead, he calls himself 'Weave.' I know, too good to be true. We even think Jimmy (video below) would be impressed.
"And I know, Philly, you gotta be careful about the media and what they say," he said. "If you didn’t hear it from Weave and you just saw it written down, then make sure you talk to Weave. Weave’ll clear it up for you."
And finally, one last message to the fans from Weave.
"Let me tell you Philly fans, you have nothing to worry about. I’m here," he said. "I want to stay. We’ll see what happens throughout the year. But I’m gonna give you my best, no matter what I do. I’m gonna give you a hundred percent when I’m on that field."
Glad to hear it Weave, glad to hear it.
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hahahaha this is leagues better than Bob's stupid article on Weaver yesterday— pfranklin- Bob Ford ripping into Weaver yesterday was one of the best examples I've seen in a while of a writer trying to create controversy where there is none. I dunno, maybe his blog wasn't getting enough hits, but I have to wonder if any Denver writers were up in arms because Dawk would've preferred to stay an Eagle. The guy enjoyed playing in Seattle and was disappointed that he's not playing there next year. Whoop-dee-freakin-doo.— djsaitta
- Bob Ford ripping into Weaver yesterday was one of the best examples I've seen in a while of a writer trying to create controversy where there is none. I dunno, maybe his blog wasn't getting enough hits, but I have to wonder if any Denver writers were up in arms because Dawk would've preferred to stay an Eagle. The guy enjoyed playing in Seattle and was disappointed that he's not playing there next year. Whoop-dee-freakin-doo.— djsaitta
- Relax Philly 10, Weave is a huge signing for the Eagles this off season. He will help Westbrook a lot..— gallen024
- djsaitta...... ur exactly right!! Ford's an idiot!
- Haha, classic Seinfeld episode.— johnnysanz3
- Weave, good. Ford, bad. No confusion on that one, especially among the Eagles coaches.— tacklinjoe
- I am glad Weaver came out and said this. He shows he is a true man. Good luck to you Leonard, work your tail off and you will have no problems in Philly. Welcome to Philly.— scars73
I love this guy already— mapet6- Jimmy's down!!!!— joe$
- Jimmy's down!!!!— joe$
- A complete non-story. Just wait til he breaks out his trademark stiff-arm in the regular season and the fans will love him.— deekodico
- Geez, cut the guy some slack. And you writers wonder where the Philly media gets its rep from? You guys are totally trying to rip Weaver and make him look like a bad guy because of one harmless comment. I watched the video interview on the Eagles website and Weaver seems like a pleasant, hard-working, high character player. I have no idea why you "writers" are so busy trying to paint him out to be a bad guy before the first mini-camp even takes place.— JimG
- By the way, I love how the Philly media always rips McNabb for not talking to them more and holding a press conference every time there is the slightest bit of speculation about him. Well, this is a perfect example of why McNabb tries to avoid making comments to the media. Weaver has barely been signed a week, he makes a harmless comment and the media overreacts and blows it all out of proportion. He tries to explain he meant no offense and he gets ripped by the media for that too. He can't win with you guys. The local media is more interested in creating controversy than reporting the facts. This is why a lot of Philly players and coaches try to avoid talking to the local media as much as possible.— JimG
- The "Writers" are dedicated to their craft: creating controversy, increasing circulation, making money for the papers. They care little for being factual, informed, reporters of the sports we love.— Flying Dutchman
- Too bad we can't get "Weav" and "Buck" in the same interview... that would be a whole 'lotta "man" being thrown around....— jocal69
- Fire Bob Ford!— fred13
- The job of the media is to report the news, not make the news.— simplefreedom
- Good stuff Sheil— Lemur
- Does Weave have an Eagles jersey for sale yet? I want one.— lobstrocities
- >>>>>"Let me tell you Philly fans, you have nothing to worry about. I’m here," he said. "I want to stay. We’ll see what happens throughout the year. But I’m gonna give you my best, no matter what I do. I’m gonna give you a hundred percent when I’m on that field."<<<<< No problem "Weave"...just rip it up on the field and it's all good...don't worry about the local print vermin...they're a necessary evil...Welcome to the Birds.— hope55
I think Bob should stop writing blogs and just post Seinfeld clips. Much more entertaining and thought provoking.- What a character. Just for fun, put the communication chip in Weave's helmet, see what happens.— ItalianSausage
- He's being honest and just sayng what he feels. That's refreshing to have someone in the organization do that. All we ever hear from these players and the management is the same old scripted "company line." Don't change Leonard.— dapmman
- I read a recent article about how newspapers are hurting financially and people aren't just buying them anymore. Garbage like the Weaver article by Bob Ford is a good example why. We're fed up with this nonsense. You want to increase your sales, fire writers like Bob Ford. He's insulting the fans and they're not gonna pay to get insulted.— dapmman
- As long as he can pick up a 3rd and short, I don't care if he's a Mets fan.— don julio
- They better get a lot more then a Fullback if they want to compete with the Giants !— Toot21
- I believe that the article by Bob Ford is an example why philly journalism sucks. Trying to make waves where there are none. Getting fans upset. The writers love when we respond also. So if the fans follow the article and get upset the national news blames the fans. I think so many of these guys need to be terminated from their jobs.— maximus
- Welcome to Philly Weave, sports writers are a strange bunch in this town. PLay hard and the fans will love you.— craig123
- why getting all over this guy? If he wanted to stay in his home town I don't blame him a bit, but everybody seems to be so critical of the eagles being so cheap-the seahawks lo balled weaver. He did the right thing for himself-business is business!— jwatson
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- I just had to register and make a comment when I read this. I'm from Tacoma, WA and I'll tell you now you'll love Leonard Weaver. He is an animal and I would take him back now. Just wait till you see his stiff arm. I've heard that Philly is a tough place to play and from reading this article I can see why. All this from a "journalist" that uses Youtube so he doesn't have to create his own point. That's awesome.— riot613
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- When the Inquirer goes under, there's a job waiting for Ford at WIP.— p-diddy
- Well said JimG. Couldn't agree more.— LuckyDog
- jimmy dont like Bob Ford— osi is hurt boohoo
- Looks like Rickey Hendersen has some competition man. thanks for keeping it real, bro, Kinger likes keeping it real too. What do you say Weave, comeshoot some hoops with Kinger, Rickey and Jimmy. That will be some good conversations man. I may pick on you bro but you pick up the tough yards and I got your back bro...— pking222
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- Weave's new in town. Weave doesn't really know anyone. Weave would like to get to know you, Bob Ford.— TommyGun
- See that? The guy's not here five minutes and already they're chopping him up!— madaboutit
- Iggles48 likes the Weaver signing... Iggles48 thinks that dum dum decision of not having a legitimate FB last year was just like Seinfeld episode... Classic— iggles48
- Iggles48 likes the Weaver signing... Iggles48 thinks that dum dum decision of not having a legitimate FB last year was just like Seinfeld episode... Classic— iggles48
- Its unfortunate that their picking on Weaver already... he simply doesnt deserve... He spent years in seattle and never said a word, but simply produced week in and week out.... He was always a fan-favorite and fun to watch... I dont know wat you Eagles fans are complaining about, the only reason you should be complaining is because he will only be in philly for a year. GO SEAHAWKS!!! Weaver is greatly missed in Seattle.— Seahawks23
- Sheil, can we get more of you and less of the usual dreck. I'm sick of some of these writers who have run their course. They should give the new blood a shot. When will you actually do a real article so we can "see if u write good"?— Eagles Phan in LI
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- No story here....a good player coming to philly, but press has to 'create' contoversy about it. Understandable, he played in Seattle and preferred to stay, if possible.....just like Dawkins. No contoversy here, DROP IT NOW!— stoneman
Toot21 must have been in a drug induced coma for the 2008 NFL season. "Compete" with the vaGiants? Really? The last 2 times they played, you know, when it counted for something, the Iggles beat the vaGiants like a rented mule that owed them money. In 8 quarters the vaGiants scored 1 TD and that was in garbage time. Now, go do some more toot.— tornadoh
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