When Leonard Weaver was helped off of the turf following a sick knee injury at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, the rousing standing ovation he received from the 65,000 fans wasn’t surprising. Sure, Weaver’s a fullback, but in Philadelphia a guy like him is revered.

A blue-collar town like the City of Brotherly Love admires the tenacious play of a guy like Weaver. And, we also know what a class act Weaver is. Monday, he gave us even more of a reason to believe in his sincerity when he addressed Eagles fans and their support on Twitter.

“Hey ladies and gentlemen, I first want to say that it’s a true blessing to have so much support coming from the fans and family,” he tweeted. “I ll be back, I’ll be back better than ever. For now let’s cheer on our brothers on green on the field. They need us. Those guys played their hearts out.”

How do you not love Leonard Weaver?

Don’t worry, as you can see, the love affair is a two-way street. The second year Eagle, who will spend the rest of the year on IR, told DailyPhiladelphian.com last week how much he admires the city, its fans and its food.

“I love the city,” said Weaver, who previously played in rainy Seattle. “I love the food. But, more importantly, I love the city in the sense of its culture and variety of people. You have the ability to enjoy yourself outside of your house.”

Eagles fullback leonard Weaver continues to show his love for the city of Philadelphia and its fans.

Among the places Weaver likes to go are jazz places around market street.

“I love going there late night,” said Weaver. “It’s very soothing.”

After watching his knee buckle yesterday, we’re going to send Weaver some jazz CDs to play as he recovers.

When it comes to food, Weaver listed Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches and Chickie’s and Pete’s.

And, of course he had an answer ready for the obligatory cheesesteak question.

“Geno’s and Pat’s are both good,” said Weaver. “But, I also really like the lobster cheesesteak at Chickie’s and Pete’s.”

Weaver is a fan of Philly jazz. "It's soothing," he says.

Aside from the city’s culture, Weaver loves the fans.

“Eagles fans are very educated, hardworking and know their stuff,” said Weaver. “They know the truth about you. You need tough love sometimes. It’s good for me and others.”

He likes Philly’s straightforward approach because it reminds him of his own personality.

“Be yourself,” he says is all Philly fans require. “Don’t be one way in front of the camera and another way off camera. Be yourself and don’t be two-faced.”

If there was ever any doubt about how real Weaver was, all you need to do is read his Twitter posts from today when he thanked the fans for their support.

It’s rare to find an athlete as in touch with Philly as Weaver is.

The Eagles fullback/back-up ball carrier suffered a gruesome knee injury in the first half of Sunday’s 27-20 loss to the Packers. He tore his ACL and is out for the year.

Leonard Weaver suffered a gruesome knee injury Sunday that resulted in an ACL tear.

Weaver blew up opposing defenses and opened holes for LeSean McCoy and Brian Westbrook a year ago. He also showed his ability as a ball carrier and became the No. 2 back when Westbrook was injured last season.

Going with McCoy as the full-time back was fine with Weaver as his personal bulldozer. Now? Now, you have to hope that the Eagles can find a legit fullback. Otherwise, who opens the holes against good, run-stopping defenses.

But, Weaver was more than that. He also was another offensive lineman back there who could pick up blitzes with the best of them. With a porous line like the Eagles have, the quarterback — whether Kolb or Vick — could face pressure not seen in Philly in years.

At some point, the Donovan McNabb vs. Kevin Kolb debate has to end. In fact, it should end now as both guys are different and should be judged independent of each other. Your Daily Philadelphian will discuss this later in the week. For now, however, we’ll take one look at how the eagles huddle will be different with No. 4 in place of No. 5.

“Kolb handles the team well and we all, as an organization and team, stand behind him,” Eagles fullback Leonard Weaver told us this week.

Kevin Kolb is more serious and intense in the huddle than Donovan McNabb, according to Leonard Weaver. Weaver said McNabb joked more, but both were good leaders and are just different people.

He said that Kolb needed to be his own man and so far he has not disappointed.

“Kevin Kolb can’t be Donovan McNabb and McNabb can’t be Kolb,” Weaver said. “He had be himself and he’s done that. Kolb is more serious in the huddle and more intense. McNabb joked more. They have a different approach to the huddle. Both are great leaders.”

Weaver predicts that McNabb will do fine in Washington, while Kolb gets a chance to show Philly what he can do.

The Eagles offense looked horrific at times this preseason, especially against the Chiefs. There’s no other way to say it.

The offensive line looked putrid, and new starter Kevin Kolb had his struggles in the third preseason game, often dubbed the most important of the summer.

Don’t be so quick to throw in the towel says Eagles fullback Leonard Weaver.

Eagles fullback Leonard Weaver says the offense is getting better and he's ready to compete in the tough NFC East.

“The offense is starting to gel,” Weaver told DailyPhiladelphian.com this week. “There’s been questions from other people, but not from the players. We do believe in each other We’re ready to compete against the packers and their defense, and their prolific offense led by Aaron Rodgers.”

He knows things won’t be easy in the NFC East, especially when every team seems to have made improvements.

“We’re taking it game-by-game,” Weaver said. “We have confidence in what we can do. We’re ready to show up and may the best team win. We’re confident and I can’t wait to play and compete.”

You have to love Weaver’s attitude. Now, the offense has to go out and back up the fullback’s words.

Underneath the hard, tough-as-nails physique that Eagles fullback Leonard Weaver displays on the gridiron is a big teddy bear who loves his family and is far from the macho “I’m better than everyone” athlete we sometimes see. While Weaver has gained a reputation as a guy who keeps it real with the fans, he’s giving us just another example through a fund raiser to benefit his new foundation.

Weaver is giving fans a chance to name his family’s new puppy — a four-month-old, 17-pound English Bulldog. Weaver says the dog will grow to between 65 and 80 pounds.

You can name Leonard Weaver's new English Bulldog puppy by making a donation to the Leonard Weaver Family Foundation.

“I’m in the process of building the Leonard Weaver Family Foundation and need to raise money and wanted to do it in a fun way and and beintimate with the fans,” Weaver told DailyPhiladelphian.com this week. “What better way to do it than to name my dog. The dog is here every day and the fans can have a piece of my (personal) life.”

Fans can enter by going to The Leonard Weaver Family Foundation homepage, clicking on the icon on the site and making at least a $25 donation. You can also enter by mailing your entry (include name, address, phone, email, age and name suggestion with a $25 check made out to Leonard Weaver Family Foundation to: Leonard Weaver (LWFF), Philadelphia Eagles, One NovaCare Way, Philadelphia, PA 19145.

The contest runs through October 5, and entrants must be at least 18 years old. The winner of the contest will receive two tickets to an Eagles home game this season in Leonard’s personal suite (including food & beverages). Winner will chose from games against the Giants (11/21), the Vikings (12/26), or the Cowboys (1/2). Winner and guest will be transported to and from the game, have a meet & greet with Leonard, and receive an official NFL autographed football.

Weaver says the goal of his foundation is to help kids make more sense of life and make them better members of society. The puppy contest will help pave the way for him to be able to start programs to reach that goal.

At the end of training camp, Weaver adopted the dog, who has remained nameless. Weaver says his kids don’t mind not being able to name their own dog. Then again, they don’t really have a choice.

“There’s only one papa in this house and that’s me,” Weaver joked. he added, “Right now the dog has a bunch of names. They call him whatever. But, at the end of this, it’ll be a great thing.”

His name: Leonard Weaver

Leonard Weaver is more than just a fullback for the Eagles.

The second the Eagles brass made Weaver the highest paid fullback in NFL history with his three-year, $11 million contract that guarantees him $6.5 million, it became apparant that the role the pro Bowler played last year will only grow. They wouldn’t have paid a fullback that kind of money if that wasn’t the case.

Brought in as a fullback, Weaver was pressed into running and catching the ball more when Brian Westbrook went down with injuries and concussions last year. He set career highs in rushing attempts with 70 and yards with 323. In doing so, he displayed the ability to be the change of pace back the Eagles need to pair with the young McCoy.

With Weaver and McCoy, the Eagles don’t lose a beat from last year. Even though BWest36 was released, the fact is he contributed next to nothing last year. McCoy and Weaver carried the load.

Weaver is as good an option as Chester Taylor, and comes at a better price than a Thomas Jones. Darren Sproles may have been the only guy the Eagles would have considered, but that option went away the second the Chargers tendered him at the highest level.

With what was out there, the Eagles made the right statement yesterday by bringing back Weaver.

The bottom line is you can forget that unless the Birds engineer a trade. Resigning Leonard Weaver to a three-year deal that makes him the highest paid “fullback” in league history may likely be all you get this year.

And, that’s perfectly acceptable.

Look at the free agent landscape and there just wasn’t anyone out there that makes the Eagles immensely better. There just isn’t.

The Eagles were right to pass on giving Chester Taylor, Julius Peppers and others big time money.

Sure Peppers would have added another big-time defensive end with the potential to sack the QB every play. But, Peppers is 31 and has a reputation for taking plays, or games, off. Do we really need another Jevon Kearse? Is Peppers really worth more than $90 million over six years? Even in an uncapped year, the Bears overpaid.

Aaron Kampman? Forget him. He’s coming off ACL surgery and visions of Stacey Andrews in street clothes last year come to mind with anyone coming back from that injury. Pass.

Antrel Rolle would have been a nice pick-up. However, again, the Giants overpaid for him. Could you imagine paying him seven million a year when the Eagles wouldn’t poney up that cash for All-Pro Brian Dawkins?

Chester Taylor, LT, Thomas Jones or any other running backs to compliment LeSean McCoy? Jones will command too much money for a 31-year-old back, and LT will likely get more money than an overhyped goal-line back is worth. Taylor? Well, honestly, Weaver is as good a fit as Taylor.

The bottom line is that with the uncapped rules that basically allowed teams to lock up players with less than six years of service has severely limited free agents. The Eagles aren’t wrong to pass on free agency this year.

The Eagles are no exception and have tendered WR Jason Avant, offensive lineman Nick Cole and LB Akeem Jordan at the second round level. Should any of them sign an offer sheet with another team that the Eagles choose not to match, they’ll receive a second round pick as compensation.

The team is also rumored to be nearing a long-term deal with Pro Bowl fullback Leonard Weaver. Bringing Weaver back is a necessity now that Brian Westbrook is gone and Darren Sproles is staying in San Diego. The Eagles need another body who can lug the ball, and Weaver showed that ability last year.

The Eagles and Leonard Weaver are close to a new, long term deal.

As far as Cole, Jordan and Avant, we’re not surprised any of them were tendered high-level deals. Cole’s versatility along the line guarantee his return. Jordan has showed glimpses of being a steady starter in the Eagles scheme. Avant thrived last year in the slot and proved to be the player the Eagles have long searched for to fill that role. It’s no surprise the Eagles wanted him back, no matter who is throwing him the ball next year.

The Birds also tendered Omar Gaither, Chris Gocong, Max Jean-Gilles and Sav Rocca at lower levels — think fifth round or below.

Honestly, with the exception of Gocong, we wouldn’t have tendered those players for a bag of used tissues. Jean-Gilles is a step above Stacey Andrews, which ain’t worth crap. Rocca is way too inconsistent and Gaither has lost a starting job three straight years.

Gocong has been linked to rumors involving the Patriots. Until last year, he had played well. We’re still not sure why he fell into Sean McDermott’s doghouse.

According to a report, Brian Westbrook will miss tonight's game against Dallas.

According to Philly.com, Adam Schefter is reporting on ESPN that Eagles running back Brian Westbrook will not suit up for the Philadelphia Eagles as they host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night.

Westbrook sustained a concussion on Monday Night Football against the Washington Deadskins two weeks ago, and was held out of the Giants game last week.

In his absence, Leonard Weaver emerged as a legit running threat and Shady McCoy helped carry the load. Both will need to bring their A-game again tonight if Westbrook is indeed held out.

In our opinion, keeping Westbrook out is the way to go if he is showing even one symptom from his concussion. A concussion is a brain injury and should not be messed with in any way, shape or form.

Maclin, who started in place of injured receiver Kevin Curtis, was Donovan McNabb’s main target in Sunday’s 33-14 win. On the day, Maclin caught six passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns.

Maclin told Comcast SportsNet’s Derrick Gunn after the game that the offense always allows players to have opportunities to make plays.

“It’s always a devised play,” Maclin said. “In this offense, you have No. 1 reads, but anyone can get the ball on any play.”

Rookie wide receiver Jeremy Maclin catches his first career touchdown in the first quarter of Sunday's win over the Bucs.

On the Eagles second offensive play from scrimmage, McNabb and Maclin connected on a 51-yard bomb that resulted in Maclin crossing the goal line with his first career touchdown.

“It’s fun. You can score from anywhere, from any position on the field,” Maclin said.

After Tampa scored with 1:55 left in the first half, McNabb again looked for his rookie receiver. Just 19 seconds later, the Missouri product caught a 40-yard pass in the end zone to give the Eagles a 21-7 lead at halftime.

McNabb, coming back from a rib injury that held him out of action the last two games, had an efficient day going 16-of-21 for 264 yards and three touchdowns.

Tight end Brent Celek added four catches for 58 yards. Leonard Weaver added a 20-yrd touchdown reception, and Brian Westbrook had his first rushing score of the year in the third quarter.

Westbrook, returning after missing the last game, managed just 18 yards on six carries.

While the offense was flying high, the Birds defense blitzed its way to an average performance Sunday.

Asante Samuel led the attack with two interceptions, including one to end a Bucs scoring threat at the end of the first half. Sheldon Brown also recorded a pick.

Trent Cole moved past Seth Joyner for sixth place all-time on the Eagles sack list when he took down Bucs quarterback Josh Johnson in the second quarter.

Also, Darren Howard stopped the Bucs in the end zone at the end of the game for a safety. Meanwhile, Jeremiah Trotter, making a return after a year out of the NFL, recorded three tackles.

While all those stats look good, the fact is the Eagles surrendered 240 yards and two touchdowns to Josh Johnson. Bucs tight end Kellen Winslow torched the birds for nine catches, 102 yards and two scores.

However, the day belonged to the Eagles offense, particularly Maclin. With him and DeSean Jackson, the Eagles have speed and separation they have craved from their receiving corps for years.

Defenses can no longer key in on one guy. As a result, McNabb and his weapons will do a lot of damage throughout the remainder of the 2009 season.