Eagles, Weaver Will Have Deal Done By Midnight

Written By Bob Cunningham On Thursday, March 04, 2010

Weaver should have a long-term deal in a few hours.



The Eagles have applied tenders to most of their restricted free agents, but there is one glaring omission in that Leonard Weaver has yet to join the likes of Jason Avant, Akeem Jordan, and Nick Cole in the highly-tender club.

That could, however, be because the Eagles and Weaver are getting into the home stretch of their contract negotiations.

Weaver's agent, Harold Lewis, told Geoff Mosher that the two sides were talking at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and that he felt a deal would be done by the end of the week. Guys like Weaver are in short supply and his closest comparison, Le'Ron McClain, just received a first-round tender from the Baltimore Ravens.

The first-round tender is usually only applied to guys who other teams might value as being worth giving up a second-round pick, so obviously the Ravens felt pressured into such a high tender.

I've said that I believe about $4 million per season is probably what Weaver and his agent are going after, but he could get closer to $3.5 million. Even the best fullback in the league isn't worth the big bucks that other guys are getting -- at least not in the eyes of the NFL's decision-makers.

The Birds will have to make him the highest paid fullback in the league, but coming off a season in which he was voted to the Pro Bowl and beat out McClain for the All-Pro team, he's earned his money.

He proved too vital a piece to let go, so I expect something to be done with Weaver in the next few hours. The two sides obviously want to get something done so they don't have to worry about it next year, but if they can't come to an agreement Weaver will get a first-round tender.

But when the Birds want to sign a guy, it usually gets done. Unless Weaver is asking for a ridiculous amount, he'll have a long-term deal in place by midnight tonight.


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