Emptying the Notebook: Leonard Weaver

by John Morgan on Dec 26, 2007 2:22 PM PST in Seahawks Commentary

Two more today, and then we'll pick these up tomorrow.

Leonard Weaver

Weaver was getting sweated pretty heavy in the preseason. Looking back, it's terrifying to think where Seattle would be had they cut him and some other savvy teamed picked him up. Fullback is such an important position in Holmgren's offense; a near fulltime player that must run block, pass block (including in 4 receiver sets), rush and receive. Heading into the season, blocking was Weaver's greatest weakness. As a run blocker he's improved markedly, moving from inadequate and inconsistent to good, but still somewhat inconsistent. Good, and really at no point great. Weaver doesn't blow up players as a run blocker, like his size and first gear make you think he would. As a pass blocker, Weaver is considerably more inconsistent, still occasionally missing his assignment, but, has, at the very least, made coaches think twice before sending a blitzing db:

On the fourth play of the Hawks' second drive, Clancy Pendergast cued up a nifty little five man blitz. Four interior rushers stunted into the line, creating confusion and occupying all five primary blockers. This allowed Matt Ware to come free from the outside edge. Unfortunately for Ware and the Cards defense, Leonard Weaver had his blocking shoes on. Ware is 6'2, 214; a somewhat large DB. That made it all the more fun to see him shot into the air. The funniest part, Weaver blocks Ware and then looks bemused by the results - like he's awed by his own strength.

Weaver is a run-first, receive-first fullback. His aforementioned first gear is really sick for a fullback, much better than standard. Weaver's posted a 22.3% DVOA rushing. Weaver has also posted a 12.3% DVOA as a receiver. Weaver is a potentially exceptional receiver for a fullback. He has great hands and dangerous run after catch ability, but recent weeks have seen him lose focus and drop easy catches. Fullbacks regularly enjoy long careers, and Weaver, 25, is just beginning to tap his potential. It's sort of too bad that he doesn't get more touches, considering how well he's done with what he's been given. I'd love to see what a Morris/Weaver committee could be capable of. They have complimentary styles, are each dangerous receivers, and each have earned more touches. That's never going to happen under Holmgren, but for those who clamor for a big name, early pick rusher to inherit the feature back role, remember, that's a potentially unnecessary expenditure of resources that limits Seattle's ability to reload at defensive tackle, end, offensive tackle, guard, strong safety and quarterback.

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