Seahawks lose fullback Leonard Weaver to Eagles

Owen Schmitt returns and might have a shot at starting job but Seahawks are also looking at free agent Justin Griffith.

Seattle Times staff reporter

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Leonard Weaver is Philadelphia's new fullback, which means the Seahawks must look for a fallback option at his position.

Weaver reached an agreement with the Eagles on Friday on a one-year contract, his agent confirmed Friday afternoon. The deal could be worth as much as $2.5 million if all the incentives are achieved.

The Seahawks made an offer to re-sign Weaver, but it was underwhelming from his vantage point. Attempts to reach Weaver were not successful. He had been Seattle's starting fullback since Mack Strong suffered a neck injury in October 2007.

Weaver rushed for 130 yards last season. He had two receiving touchdowns of more than 40 yards in Seattle's victory at San Francisco. Weaver is the seventh free agent to leave the Seahawks this offseason.

Weaver played the past four seasons with Seattle after making the team as an undrafted rookie out of Carson-Newman. He played tight end in college and moved to fullback with the Seahawks. Weaver beat out Tony Jackson — a player the Seahawks drafted in the fifth round — to make the team.

Weaver started 11 games in his four seasons with Seattle. With Weaver gone, Owen Schmitt will have an opportunity to earn the starting job. Also, Seattle hosted fullback Justin Griffith on a free-agent visit, but Griffith isn't expected to make a decision until next month as he continues to recover from knee surgery.

Seattle's coaching staff has plenty of experience with Griffith, 28. He played for new Seahawks coach Jim Mora in Atlanta for three seasons. Griffith played for Greg Knapp, Seattle's new offensive coordinator, the past two years in Oakland.

Danny O'Neil: 206-464-2364 or doneil@seattletimes.com

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Bottom Line: Do you want a FB who wants to block or one who wants "touches"? Deep down (actually, not deep down; ON THE SURFACE!),... Posted on March 20, 2009 at 4:10 PM by '93dawg. Jump to comment

ZeHawks, Gone is an old, oft-injured (recently) 3rd down receiver In is a taller, younger, faster, more productive 3rd down receiver (as well as... Posted on March 20, 2009 at 2:38 PM by shazzam. Jump to comment

Dawgfan - Thanks! I agree that the FB can still get the glory. However, from what I read, Weaver's entire negotiation focused on all... Posted on March 20, 2009 at 8:31 PM by '93dawg. Jump to comment

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