Leonard Weaver (1 Viewer)

[Red Apples]

If you are in a deep league you may want to look into Leonard Weaver.It's a flyer but if you don't believe in Morris and ALexander is getting old...

SCOUTING REPORT: FB Leonard Weaver could finally become part of the offense as the likely heir to Mack Strong. A season-ending ankle injury sidelined Weaver in 2006, forcing Strong into more snaps than his 35-year-old body could handle. Weaver gives Seattle a logical alternative on third down, and possibly beyond. He catches the ball exceptionally well and isn't afraid to put his 250 pounds behind a wicked stiff-arm. Weaver has yet to prove he can be the type of every-down blocking fullback coach Mike Holmgren wants for his offense. He has sometimes appeared more eager and better suited to carrying the ball.

Fullback Leonard Weaver converted from under-sized Division II tight end to fullback and caught the eye of many teams two years ago with his fine preseason performance. He has a little wiggle to his running style and has also shown good hands out of the backfield

Boling asked Holmgren if there are players in particular who have stood out to him this year. He singled out Matt Hasselbeck, Marcus Trufant, Lofa Tatupu and Bobby Engram, and also said Kelly Jennings has done a very solid job. Later, he circled back to the question and said that Leonard Weaver, after having a rough training camp, is becoming a pleasant surprise and somebody that he feels comfortable using.

Leonard Weaver got a lot more playing time this week and I think you are starting to see the transition from Mack Strong to Weaver. And the Seneca thing adds an interesting wrinkle that teams have to game plan for now. I wonder if Holmgren put it in this week so give the Steelers something to think about given some of the plays that unfolded in the Super Bowl.

Holmgren on Leonard WeaverPosted by Frank Hughes @ 06:11:46 pm “I think he’s coming out of it and he was struggling. I had some stern talks with him about that because there was a lot expected of him. He’s a good player. He should be a good player. I’m hopeful that whatever was inhibiting his play, now we can get through that. What’s asked of him is a lot more than just that. When guys are struggling they’re struggling. It doesn’t matter really what you ask them to do, they’re struggling. He went through a little tough stretch there but now he’s had a good week of practice. He played well last week so I’m hoping he’s the Leonard Weaver that I believe he can be.”

 

[Garts]

How is he relevent in fantasy though?

 

[Craig]

How is he relevent in fantasy though?

He's not !!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Sammy B]

In 16 team leagues with injuries piling up and bye weeks upon us any RB news is fantasy news. Thanks for the info Red.

 

[Red Apples]

In 16 team leagues with injuries piling up and bye weeks upon us any RB news is fantasy news. Thanks for the info Red.

14 man league..we hold 6 RBs on each team...so yeah I grabbed him.The word is Weaver is more prone to be RB than a FB..so im taking the Flyer.

 

[Fullback Fro]

What are you notifying to us. That he is a football player?

Notification: Kolby Smith RB KC

 

[PatsFan72]

Good research, Red, thanks for the information, and don't worry about the haters, they probably said the same thing about Selvin Young a few weeks ago.



I like having a few vultures around waiting for the starter on good running teams (Seattle may be borderline) to get nicked, and with Morris missing time already, Weaver may be the guy in Seattle. He's done well when given the opportunity so far.

 

[mad sweeney]

In 16 team leagues with injuries piling up and bye weeks upon us any RB news is fantasy news. Thanks for the info Red.

14 man league..we hold 6 RBs on each team...so yeah I grabbed him.The word is Weaver is more prone to be RB than a FB..so im taking the Flyer.

He's a hybrid that they have plans for as a TE, HB, FB and RB. Very versatile and good hands, good blocker (not Mack Strong good, but good), and showed great running skills in preseason last year. Unfotunately that hasn't really resurfaced this season, though he has shown flashes. We've all seen the Walrus start to get "tricky" with Wallace last week and in the preseason he spoke of adding more movement to try and create mismatches in the O. Whether he lives up to this I dunno. But they did motion him out to WR and tried to use him as they did MoMo in week 1 but there was a foul. For most 12 team leagues, he's not much value. But with Pearman down for the year and MoMo dinged, Weaver may get more looks. And if anything happens to SA then he would definitely get some attention. But he has yet to fulfill the espectations that the team has for him.

 

[MG345]

In 16 team leagues with injuries piling up and bye weeks upon us any RB news is fantasy news. Thanks for the info Red.

14 man league..we hold 6 RBs on each team...so yeah I grabbed him.The word is Weaver is more prone to be RB than a FB..so im taking the Flyer.

He's a hybrid that they have plans for as a TE, HB, FB and RB. Very versatile and good hands, good blocker (not Mack Strong good, but good), and showed great running skills in preseason last year. Unfotunately that hasn't really resurfaced this season, though he has shown flashes. We've all seen the Walrus start to get "tricky" with Wallace last week and in the preseason he spoke of adding more movement to try and create mismatches in the O. Whether he lives up to this I dunno. But they did motion him out to WR and tried to use him as they did MoMo in week 1 but there was a foul. For most 12 team leagues, he's not much value. But with Pearman down for the year and MoMo dinged, Weaver may get more looks. And if anything happens to SA then he would definitely get some attention. But he has yet to fulfill the espectations that the team has for him.

This has been his biggest knock, and the reason why has hasn't been more of a factor. Part of the reason he got any carries was because Morris is hurt. With Morris healthy, he will be used more as a FB than anything.

 

[mad sweeney]

In 16 team leagues with injuries piling up and bye weeks upon us any RB news is fantasy news. Thanks for the info Red.

14 man league..we hold 6 RBs on each team...so yeah I grabbed him.The word is Weaver is more prone to be RB than a FB..so im taking the Flyer.

He's a hybrid that they have plans for as a TE, HB, FB and RB. Very versatile and good hands, good blocker (not Mack Strong good, but good), and showed great running skills in preseason last year. Unfotunately that hasn't really resurfaced this season, though he has shown flashes. We've all seen the Walrus start to get "tricky" with Wallace last week and in the preseason he spoke of adding more movement to try and create mismatches in the O. Whether he lives up to this I dunno. But they did motion him out to WR and tried to use him as they did MoMo in week 1 but there was a foul. For most 12 team leagues, he's not much value. But with Pearman down for the year and MoMo dinged, Weaver may get more looks. And if anything happens to SA then he would definitely get some attention. But he has yet to fulfill the espectations that the team has for him.

This has been his biggest knock, and the reason why has hasn't been more of a factor. Part of the reason he got any carries was because Morris is hurt. With Morris healthy, he will be used more as a FB than anything.

First off, there are very few Fbs better at Strong so that's not really a knock. He's faster and has better hands so yes, he will be used at FB, but he is also a hard nosed runner with good hands which should put him in at 3rd and short or long instead of Shaun Crumpler. Might make the ol' Fb draw on 3rd and long a little more effective than Strong. Plus. like I said, they are putting more motion in the O so I expect him to be used in a lot of places, not just at FB. And even when in at FB I expect him to be used a lot differently than when Strong is in at FB. I think we saw a new dimension to the O last week and we can expect more in the near future. With Weaver and Wallase's versatility I'm not sure what to expect.His biggest knocks were being on IR all year last year and a little fumbleitis in the preseason.

 

[MG345]

In 16 team leagues with injuries piling up and bye weeks upon us any RB news is fantasy news. Thanks for the info Red.

14 man league..we hold 6 RBs on each team...so yeah I grabbed him.The word is Weaver is more prone to be RB than a FB..so im taking the Flyer.

He's a hybrid that they have plans for as a TE, HB, FB and RB. Very versatile and good hands, good blocker (not Mack Strong good, but good), and showed great running skills in preseason last year. Unfotunately that hasn't really resurfaced this season, though he has shown flashes. We've all seen the Walrus start to get "tricky" with Wallace last week and in the preseason he spoke of adding more movement to try and create mismatches in the O. Whether he lives up to this I dunno. But they did motion him out to WR and tried to use him as they did MoMo in week 1 but there was a foul. For most 12 team leagues, he's not much value. But with Pearman down for the year and MoMo dinged, Weaver may get more looks. And if anything happens to SA then he would definitely get some attention. But he has yet to fulfill the espectations that the team has for him.

This has been his biggest knock, and the reason why has hasn't been more of a factor. Part of the reason he got any carries was because Morris is hurt. With Morris healthy, he will be used more as a FB than anything.

First off, there are very few Fbs better at Strong so that's not really a knock. He's faster and has better hands so yes, he will be used at FB, but he is also a hard nosed runner with good hands which should put him in at 3rd and short or long instead of Shaun Crumpler. Might make the ol' Fb draw on 3rd and long a little more effective than Strong. Plus. like I said, they are putting more motion in the O so I expect him to be used in a lot of places, not just at FB. And even when in at FB I expect him to be used a lot differently than when Strong is in at FB. I think we saw a new dimension to the O last week and we can expect more in the near future. With Weaver and Wallase's versatility I'm not sure what to expect.His biggest knocks were being on IR all year last year and a little fumbleitis in the preseason.

I love Strong, but he is not at the top of his game anymore. But that wasn't the point I was making, it was that his blocking skills have come into question. He got a lot of opportunities this preseason to stand out, and he consistently whiffed on blocks. I like Weaver, his stiff arm baptism is one of the best I have seen in person, but he isn't a better runner than MoMo and he isn't as good a blocker as Strong. Where does he fit into the offense then? He will spell Strong, and will be utilized in big formations, but baring injury he has little value this year. I can see him getting into the endzone this year, but I wouldn't see him as a reliable start at any point in time fantasy wise.And, by far his biggest knock has ALWAYS been adjusting to blocking as a FB, rather than a TE.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Ive been following Weaver since he led the league in rushing during the preseason a few years back, but I do have to say, he was very unimpressive on his carries last week. Weaver is worth watching, but I like a few other guys like Jason Wright and Pierre Thomas better if you are looking for super sleepers at RB.

 

[Eights]

In 16 team leagues with injuries piling up and bye weeks upon us any RB news is fantasy news. Thanks for the info Red.

14 man league..we hold 6 RBs on each team...so yeah I grabbed him.The word is Weaver is more prone to be RB than a FB..so im taking the Flyer.

He's a hybrid that they have plans for as a TE, HB, FB and RB. Very versatile and good hands, good blocker (not Mack Strong good, but good), and showed great running skills in preseason last year. Unfotunately that hasn't really resurfaced this season, though he has shown flashes. We've all seen the Walrus start to get "tricky" with Wallace last week and in the preseason he spoke of adding more movement to try and create mismatches in the O. Whether he lives up to this I dunno. But they did motion him out to WR and tried to use him as they did MoMo in week 1 but there was a foul. For most 12 team leagues, he's not much value. But with Pearman down for the year and MoMo dinged, Weaver may get more looks. And if anything happens to SA then he would definitely get some attention. But he has yet to fulfill the espectations that the team has for him.

This has been his biggest knock, and the reason why has hasn't been more of a factor. Part of the reason he got any carries was because Morris is hurt. With Morris healthy, he will be used more as a FB than anything.

First off, there are very few Fbs better at Strong so that's not really a knock. He's faster and has better hands so yes, he will be used at FB, but he is also a hard nosed runner with good hands which should put him in at 3rd and short or long instead of Shaun Crumpler. Might make the ol' Fb draw on 3rd and long a little more effective than Strong. Plus. like I said, they are putting more motion in the O so I expect him to be used in a lot of places, not just at FB. And even when in at FB I expect him to be used a lot differently than when Strong is in at FB. I think we saw a new dimension to the O last week and we can expect more in the near future. With Weaver and Wallase's versatility I'm not sure what to expect.His biggest knocks were being on IR all year last year and a little fumbleitis in the preseason.

 

[Red Apples]

Hawks' Weaver makes inroads from preseason gaffes

Yardage follows suit as versatile FB gains confidence

By JON NAITO

P-I REPORTER

KIRKLAND -- Leonard Weaver could not catch the football. He struggled picking up his assignments in pass blocking. He struggled to hit holes and make blocks. He was, in fact, close to losing his job.

As training camp marched on, the Seahawks' backup fullback felt the pressure mount on his broad shoulders from each missed block, each dropped pass and each day that he awoke believing the next might bring him closer to unemployment.

"I think I put a lot of pressure on myself," Weaver said. "I had had a couple bad games, and I knew I was on the bubble. What happened was, I just needed to relax and let the game come to me instead of trying to force it."

Weaver has long been accustomed to living on the game's fringes.

He was an undrafted free agent, signed by the Seahawks in 2005 out of tiny Carson-Newman, a Baptist college tucked into the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. An undersized tight end, Weaver was a converted linebacker who became a small-school star. The Seahawks saw him as a fullback.

After appearing in all 16 regular-season games during his rookie season (which the Seahawks capped with an appearance in Super Bowl XL), Weaver missed the entire 2006 season because of an ankle injury.

Healthy, he entered training camp with the potential to become a versatile three-way threat -- a third-down back, backup fullback and possible third running back in addition to his special teams responsibilities.

But Weaver could not make the transition from his solid outings in practices to game situations, struggling so badly in exhibition games that it was no certainty that he would make the final roster.

"People think that it's so easy to carry over things from the practice field to games," starting fullback Mack Strong said. "But you gotta play. That's how you get better. You can get better in practice with fundamentals and things like that, but as far as the whole picture, games are where you make the real progress as a player."

In the first three games of the season, Weaver played sparingly. In Sunday's victory in San Francisco, he rushed three times for 6 yards and caught four passes for 26 yards.

"I think it's just a case of a young person getting a chance to play where it's not so much pressure on him right now," coach Mike Holmgren said. "In the preseason, I put it on him just to see how he'd respond. To be honest, it was probably too much for him right then."

Weaver acknowledged that he had improved his effort since the preseason. He said he struggled with handling his new responsibilities and that his self-doubt was fueled by internal pressure. He has dedicated himself to film study, sought the counsel of veterans and steadily begun to repair his confidence.

"I realized what I needed to do," Weaver said. "My goal is to be more focused and consistent and work to understand the game. People forget this is my third year in the league, but just my second year playing. I'm still learning. I'm just now getting comfortable."

 

[Big Sug]

As the first person in the world to publicly claim that Samkon Gado could be a fantasy football factor two seasons ago, Red Apples forever has my gratitude.

He would have to whiff on over 20 consecutive speculations of this kind to lose my confidence.

RED APPLES!

 

[Ron_Mexico]

If you are in a deep league you may want to look into Leonard Weaver.It's a flyer but if you don't believe in Morris and ALexander is getting old...

Ooooh dreeeeeam WEAVERI believe you can get me through the nightOoooh dreeeeeam WEAVERI believe we can reach the morning light

 

[ThePittbully]

Ive been following Weaver since he led the league in rushing during the preseason a few years back, but I do have to say, he was very unimpressive on his carries last week. Weaver is worth watching, but I like a few other guys like Jason Wright and Pierre Thomas better if you are looking for super sleepers at RB.

 

[Red Apples]

Spinal cord injury ends 15-year career for Seahawks FB Mack Strong

By The Associated Press

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

KIRKLAND, Wash. - Seattle Seahawks fullback Mack Strong has a spinal cord condition that is ending his career immediately -- but not affecting his quality of life.

And for that, the 36-year-old Pro Bowler, husband and father of two is grateful.

"I've played a long time, 15 years. I felt like I was pretty lucky, pretty blessed," a teary-eyed Strong said Monday after learning that a herniated disk in his neck is pinching his spinal cord -- and ending an unheralded, improbable career that began as an undrafted free agent out of Georgia in 1993.

"I'm a fullback. That kind of goes with the territory, you are always going to have some kind of pain or injury that you have to push through," Strong said. "(But) at the same time, I want to be smart. I don't want to do anything that would jeopardize my long-term quality of health.

"You know, there's a lot more to life than football. I've got my wife and two kids," he said with a cracking voice, before pausing 10 seconds with his head bowed to control his emotions, "and there's nothing more important then being able to spend time with them."

That's why he called the decision to retire immediately after 201 career games "a no-brainer." Doctors, including team physiatrist Dr. Stan Herring, a spine specialist, are telling him that his neck will heal without surgery -- if he stops playing now.

Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren called Strong "one of the great men I've ever been around. ... He's much more than just a football player.

"And I think I kind of coaxed him into playing the last couple years," Holmgren said. "He'll be missed, that's for sure."

Leonard Weaver, another undrafted free agent and former tight end at Carson-Newman, will step in as the new lead blocker for struggling Shaun Alexander.

 

[Red Apples]

93 total yards on Sunday...Starting to look like Alexander may be giving way to Weaver

Leonard Weaver rushed three times for 40 yards and caught four passes for 53 yards in Week 6.Perhaps most importantly, the Seahawks kept him on the field as they tried to come back late in the fourth quarter. Weaver looked more explosive and quicker than Shaun Alexander, who the home crowd booed throughout the game. He could get more involved in the base offense moving forward.

All-purpose WeaverLeonard Weaver officially replaced the departed Mack Strong at fullback and showed how effective he can be. The third-year pro carried three times for 40 yards, including a 37-yard burst, and caught four passes for 53 yards.But Weaver wasn't perfect. He missed a couple of blocks and dropped a key third-down pass in the fourth quarter."I'm kind of a guy who wants perfect," Weaver said. "I don't think I did too good."Weaver displayed a dimension Strong never really added to the offense — the ability to make plays in the open field with the ball. But as fullback, his first priority is to block for Shaun Alexander, which was far and away Strong's forte."It does build confidence," Weaver said of his long run."Leonard did a pretty good job," Holmgren said. "Where he still has to keep working hard ... is pass protection. That takes some time."

 

[TommyGilmore]

Starting to look like Alexander may be giving way to Weaver

:11:

 

[Ilov80s]

In most redrafts, he is nothing more then a player to keep an eye. Unless your team is a disaster, he doesn't seem worth a spot yet.

 

[JohnnyU]

If you are in a deep league you may want to look into Leonard Weaver.It's a flyer but if you don't believe in Morris and ALexander is getting old...

Ooooh dreeeeeam WEAVERI believe you can get me through the nightOoooh dreeeeeam WEAVERI believe we can reach the morning light

Even Gary Wright says Alexander.

 

[mad sweeney]

Starting to look like Alexander may be giving way to Weaver

:11:

He is not giving way to Weaver. LW may start cutting into his carries but he will not supplant SA. First, he is a FB. Second, SA is in the 2nd year of an 8/52 mil contract and you do not "give way" to an undrafted FA FB who is now the starting FB. Unless you think SA is going to make the move to FB! IF (and it's a big if) Strong wasn't gone, then I could see some more possibility. But doing well in limited work behind an underachiever is not going to get you in the starting lineup. Seattle is not Denver.

 

[Red Apples]

Still like this Weaver kid..outscored alexander last week (fantasy wise).Lets see what happens today...

Weaver gets the wordHolmgren said he was pleased with fullback Leonard Weaver's pass-blocking at times last week — the times when Weaver found the player he was assigned to block."There were a couple of times when he didn't find him, bless his heart," Holmgren said. "Now he's lived through that experience and fortunately Matt [Hasselbeck] lived through it, and now he should not make that type of error again."Running backs coach Stump Mitchell did some extra work with Weaver this week, but Holmgren admitted the team doesn't have a lot of choices at the position."In play selection you can help him a little," Holmgren said, "but you're a running back and you're in the game, you're going to have to block somebody in pass protection. That's the way it is."

 

[Raiders Fan]

Still like this Weaver kid..outscored alexander last week (fantasy wise).

Lets see what happens today...

Weaver gets the word

Holmgren said he was pleased with fullbackLeonard Weaver's pass-blocking at times last week — the times when Weaver found the player he was assigned to block.

"There were a couple of times when he didn't find him, bless his heart," Holmgren said. "Now he's lived through that experience and fortunately Matt [Hasselbeck] lived through it, and now he should not make that type of error again."

Running backs coach Stump Mitchell did some extra work with Weaver this week, but Holmgren admitted the team doesn't have a lot of choices at the position.

"In play selection you can help him a little," Holmgren said, "but you're a running back and you're in the game, you're going to have to block somebody in pass protection. That's the way it is."

There is the KEY word.. Not a HB.. How will this help fantasy??? Is he the new Alstott??

 

[Red Apples]

Leonard Weaver rushed for 11 yards on three carries and caught three passes for 37 yards in Sunday's win over St. Louis.Weaver's role is expanding, and could continue to do so after the Seahawks look at the tape and assess potential personnel changes during their Week 8 bye. He's become the go-to back in obvious passing situations.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Judging by yesterday, if SA is giving way to anyone as the main RB, its Morris. Morris got the carry at the 4, Morris got the 4th down carry, and Morris was the most effective runner. Everyone bags on Morris, but he was actually very good in his last few games before SA came back last year.

 

[Red Apples]

Hasselbeck said the team has also improved its ability to run screen plays and check-downs because of the emergence of fullback Leonard Weaver.Weaver, who has started the last two games after the abrupt retirement by Mack Strong because of a neck injury, has had seven receptions the last two games. Against the Rams, he caught three swing passes, including two on third down, and turned them all into first downs.“He does a really nice job catching the ball, number one, and then also running with it after he catches it,” Hasselbeck said. “There’s just like a comfort level with a receiver and you want to throw it to him. You know something good is going to happen.”

 

[taz]

Bump.

With all the concerns about SA's injuries, and Holmgren wanting to shake things up an go to more of a pass-oriented attack, anyone think Weaver could be a decent option in PPR leagues? Sounds like Hasselbeck is gaining a comfort level with him, and he might be a bigger part of the offense going forward.

 

[KellysHeroes]

Bump.With all the concerns about SA's injuries, and Holmgren wanting to shake things up an go to more of a pass-oriented attack, anyone think Weaver could be a decent option in PPR leagues? Sounds like Hasselbeck is gaining a comfort level with him, and he might be a bigger part of the offense going forward.

SA may miss MNF... making Morris the primary Back and Weaver the #2. I remember last yr and Morris didn't impress anyone when he had his chance. So I'm still holding onto Weaver for another week.

 

[Marc Faletti]

Bump.With all the concerns about SA's injuries, and Holmgren wanting to shake things up an go to more of a pass-oriented attack, anyone think Weaver could be a decent option in PPR leagues? Sounds like Hasselbeck is gaining a comfort level with him, and he might be a bigger part of the offense going forward.

SA may miss MNF... making Morris the primary Back and Weaver the #2. I remember last yr and Morris didn't impress anyone when he had his chance. So I'm still holding onto Weaver for another week.

To be fair, Morris did have like 262 yards in 2 games SA was out.

 

[Red Apples]

The Leonard Weaver Bandwagon starts tonight...

Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander and wide receiver Deion Branch will not play in the team’s Monday Night Football game tonight against the San Francisco 49ers, ESPN said. Alexander, who did not practice Wednesday after injuring his knee versus Cleveland, has rushed for 492 yards on 149 carries. He ran 14 times for 32 yards against the Browns. The former MVP has rushed for 954 yards and 10 TDs in 11 games versus the 49ers, but had just 78 yards on 25 carries in Seattle’s 23-3 win at San Francisco on Sept. 30. Coach Mike Holmgren thus will start Maurice Morris, and Leonard Weaver will get more carries as well.

Running backs Maurice Morris and Leonard Weaver are likely to be incorporated into the offense more readily, giving Hasselbeck options in the passing game he did not have when Alexander was in for the bulk of the plays.

 

[nola]

Bump.With all the concerns about SA's injuries, and Holmgren wanting to shake things up an go to more of a pass-oriented attack, anyone think Weaver could be a decent option in PPR leagues? Sounds like Hasselbeck is gaining a comfort level with him, and he might be a bigger part of the offense going forward.

SA may miss MNF... making Morris the primary Back and Weaver the #2. I remember last yr and Morris didn't impress anyone when he had his chance. So I'm still holding onto Weaver for another week.

To be fair, Morris did have like 262 yards in 2 games SA was out.

And 200 combined yards in the other 4 games...