Eagles' Weaver is a throwback

Leonard Weaver is the knuckleball pitcher, the serve-and-volley tennis player, and the vinyl record all rolled into the prototypical fullback.

Yes, they're all nearly extinct. But rediscovering each makes one remember why they were so dependable the first time around.

It's been a while since the Eagles had themselves a player like Weaver, a fullback who can block, run, and catch the football.

It's been so long that it raises the question: How will the team that thought so little of the position that it went into last season without a traditional fullback utilize Weaver's old-school skill set?

During last weekend's minicamp, the Eagles were typically vague.

"Leonard is a true fullback who has other skills," Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said. "He has good running skills as well as pass receiving skills. So, we'll try to put him in positions where he can get some success in those areas."

By bringing in a top-notch fullback, the Eagles address their need for a lead blocker for running back Brian Westbrook and have someone who can carry some of Westbrook's load.

Weaver not only embodies the archetypal fullback - 6-foot, 242 pounds - but he carries himself like one, too: Speak softly but carry a big wallop.

"Coming into any offense, I don't come in looking to run," Weaver said. "My primary job is to block. If they give me the ball, I can run. I feel like I'm a good runner, and I can make things happen. But I'm not going to push the issue."

Andy Reid has gone on the record as an admirer of Weaver the runner. Asked Sunday if the acquisitions of Weaver, two offensive linemen (Jason Peters and Stacy Andrews), and a rookie running back (LeSean McCoy) signaled a newfound devotion to the run, the Eagles coach joked: "We're striving to lead the league in rushing this year."

Even in Reid's pass-happy offense, there's still no reason to believe the fullback can't collect a few more totes. Last season, Kyle Eckel logged 24 carries, to go with Tony Hunt's four.

Weaver ran 30 times for 130 yards with Seattle, but was hardly used in short yardage situations. In the off-season, Weaver was marketed by his agent, Harold Lewis, as more of a running back.

Weaver is a capable enough blocker to fit today's fullback model. He's considered to be better at picking up blitzes than he is at lead-blocking.

"I consider myself a pretty good blocker," Weaver said. "I can be aggressive. . . . I'm a heads-up guy. I'm used to the" isolation block.

Of all his abilities, Weaver may be best at receiving. Last season, he had 20 catches for 222 yards; the year before, 39 for 313 yards. Both seasons exemplified how effective a versatile fullback can be in the West Coast offense.

But with the specialization of the position, the odds of seeing another Tom Rathman are low. A member of the 49ers teams in the 1980s that became the template for the West Coast, Rathman caught 73 passes and ran 79 times in the 1989 season.

The Eagles, like many NFL teams, have preferred to use two tight ends instead of a fullback. Hunt, a converted running back, started the season but was released by mid-October. Dan Klecko was added as a fullback last off-season, then returned to his old position of defensive tackle, only to find his way back on offense. It took until midseason before the Eagles signed Eckel, a true fullback.

"A lot of people think that the fullback is becoming a dinosaur, but I think it's about time for it to start picking up a little bit," Weaver said. "When you're getting into the fourth quarter, and you're up 10 points, you need to run the ball."

According to Mornhinweg, the 26-year-old Weaver's transition has been aided by his having played in the West Coast offense under Mike Holmgren, Reid's mentor. Holmgren is out, though, and new offensive coordinator Greg Knapp decided to change personnel. Seattle has since signed fullbacks Justin Griffith and David Kirtman.

"He knew what type of guy he wanted back there, so that's what he got. I'm happy for him," Weaver said. "But I think it was time for me, on the other end, to go somewhere where I felt I could excel not only in the run game but with my blocking."

Weaver had made it no secret that he preferred to stay in Seattle. His addition fostered Klecko's move back to defensive tackle. Eckel may be fighting for a spot on a team that might view having two fullbacks as a luxury.

"I've been in positions everywhere in my career where I've had to eke out a spot - even in college," Eckel said. "It's not like it's something I'm not used to. It's a challenge. Hopefully, I can make myself useful in more ways that just a fullback."