INDIANAPOLIS — The list of people around the NFL who know new Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver better and longer than Eric DeCosta is short.
DeCosta is the Baltimore Ravens’ general manager, but a quarter century ago, he was the team’s Midwest scout. Among his area’s most promising prospects in 2002? A burly interior defender from Notre Dame who went by Tony.
More on New Miami Dolphins Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver
“Had a tremendous respect for him as a player,” DeCosta said at the NFL Scouting Combine here this week. “We drafted Ed Reed with our first pick, and then Anthony Weaver was our second. He was our second-round pick. Mike Nolan was our defensive coordinator, and our defense was pretty darn good that year — surprisingly pretty good.”
Weaver spent the first four years of his playing career with the Ravens and returned as the defensive line coach two decades later.
Weaver was a candidate for both the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Commanders openings this cycle, and there’s a broad sense here that it’s only a matter of when, not if, he’ll get a top job somewhere.
The success Weaver’s had in his second act doesn’t surprise those who were around for his first.
“I knew he would be a great coach, because of the way he carries himself, his ability as a leader, his mentality — his grinder mentality — the way that he carries himself every day, his work ethic, and the way that he would relate to the players,” DeCosta added.
“And so, we brought him back. It was great to have him the last couple of years as our D-line coach and assistant head coach. I feel that he’s going to be a head coach someday. I mean, it’s right there for him. He’s going to do a remarkable job, I think, down in Miami. The players are going to love him, the community is going to love him. That defense is going to be fast and furious, and I think he’ll be a head coach before you know it.”
Added Ravens coach John Harbaugh: “Anthony’s an absolute star. He lights up a room. He fills up a room, too. He fills up a room and lights up a room. The way he treats people, the way he responds to problems and problem solving, the way he coaches guys, the way he presents, his understanding of defense generally.
“But also he’s really good — high, high level. But also his leadership ability, the way he manages players, coaches, and works with other people. He’s a great leader. He’ll do a great job whatever he does. [A] potential head coach.”
Weaver replaces Vic Fangio, with whom the Dolphins parted ways with last month after just one season together. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel this week weighed in publicly for the first time about why Fangio is out and Weaver is in.
“I’d be lying if I said I was expecting that during the season at all,” McDaniel said Tuesday. “And I think, you know, Vic would feel similarly.”
“I think it’s important when the season ends for you to remove emotion and evaluate and have very, very good conversations with all people that you’re depending on,” he continued.
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“Vic and I, we had extensive conversations that [were] very healthy. And ultimately, when push came to shove, you know, it seemed like we both had the opportunity, and [it would] be best for both parties involved to literally mutually part.
“So it wasn’t anticipated. It was something that, you know, I think was a factor of great communication between him and I, where, you know, we feel like we’re all best served if we go a different direction, which is something that we had mutual belief, and excited for both parties moving forward.”
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