The new defensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins might be a bit of a copycat. Of course, that might be why South Beach brought him in the first place.
Former Baltimore Ravens defensive line coach Anthony Weaver was offered an introduction in aquamarine on Thursday, as he's set to move south after three years in purple. Weaver hinted that any Miami viewers who have taken in Ravens game film in that span might notice some similarities when he commandeers the Dolphins' unit.
“The scheme that we used in Baltimore is extremely multiple and flexible,” Weaver noted, per the Associated Press. “The foundation that we’re going to do here will be from that. But the beauty in that is a lot of things that they’ve already done here, that they’ve had success in, were very similar there. So there will be a lot of crossover teaching.”
It appears that the Dolphins matched the Ravens' scheme in the name only: whereas Baltimore topped the points against rankings and finished sixth in total defense, Miami ranked 22nd in the former category. The Dolphins did manage to do well in pressure rates (ranking third in the advanced stat last season) but they could be in for a year of transition with interior invaders Andrew Van Ginkel and Christian Wilkins due to hit free agency.
Weaver faces some tall odds thanks to the efforts ... or lack thereof ... of his predecessors. The second-round pick from the 2002 draft is the third defensive coordinator to grace the South Beach sidelines in each of the last three seasons, as shootouts were far too common.
Despite the heightened scrutiny, the Miami roster on both sides of the ball turned the offer from head coach Mike McDaniel into one Weaver couldn't refuse.
“There are multiple guys on every level of defense that you get excited about,” Weaver, previously the Houston Texans' defensive boss in 2020, said. “The opportunity to come here, obviously, with a team and the success they’ve had. How do you pass on that?"
"Mike and that offense, they’re going to put up points. That’s definitely going to happen. It’s our job to make sure that we give up less points than the other team. We plan on doing that every time we get out there.”
Fortunately for Weaver, Baltimore is not due to face the Dolphins next season.
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