MIAMI GARDENS – Former Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was not a fan of the blitz.
It is safe to assume the Dolphins will blitz more under new play-caller Anthony Weaver.
But when does Weaver blitz? And how many players does he blitz? And from where does he blitz?
At training camp, Dolphins players are intrigued by Weaver’s multiplicity and complexities.
To put it bluntly, they think Weaver’s about to confuse the heck out of opposing offenses.
“The style of defense is really built off of being able to blitz in different ways – a lot of stimulated pressures and full out pressures,” veteran Calais Campbell said. “Making it look like you’re blitzing but you’re really not, you’re only rushing four. But from an offensive mindset, it’s a blitz because you’ve got a lot of guys dropping, a lot of d-linemen drop. I’ve almost caught a couple picks in this defense, I’ve dropped a few, but batted balls, I’ll take a PBU. This defense is unique in a since that anybody can do anything at any given time.”
Miami Dolphins defense under Anthony Weaver to bring pressures
In some ways, it feels like the 2024 Dolphins defense – emphasis on toughness, aggression and dictating terms – may bring back some of the Brian Flores-Josh Boyer elements of recent past.
Cornerback Kendall Fuller said: “Dictate to the offense and give them different looks and different disguises.”
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey said: “The scheme is completely different. The scheme is different, the way (Weaver) wants to call plays is going to be very different.”
In an ideal world, Jaelan Phillips (Achilles) and Bradley Chubb (knee) return sooner-than-later and create pressures without overloaded blitzes.
In an ideal world, rookies Chop Robinson and Mo Kamara and veterans Emmanuel Ogbah and Zach Sieler create enough pressure to help Weaver limit his blitz percentages.
What did Weaver say about all after he was hired?
“Blitzing is truly – it’s got to be calculated and not reckless,'” he said. “I’ve been around both guys. I’ve been around guys that just call it and let’s see what happens. Let’s throw flies in the windshield and see what sticks. Then I’ve been around guys that have been more calculated in that, and I believe you have to be calculated and not reckless in blitzing. Because when you do blitz, you’re obviously leaving your under coverage and secondary vulnerable. So whenever we do blitz, it’ll be with intent.”
Miami Dolphins would love to simulate aggression, toughness of Ravens
Dolphins linebacker Anthony Walker saw the Ravens defense up close as a member of the Browns the last three seasons. He’s excited about how Baltimore approached their attack.
“Very aggressive, very downhill,” Walker said. “Obviously playing against them the last three years, trying to go against that defense was almost impossible at times. But again, just the linebacker play is downhill, physical football. Then being able to protect the second level, the middle of the field.”
Jun 4, 2024; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver talks to cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) during mandatory minicamp at Baptist Health Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel likes what he’s seeing from Weaver’s pressure packages.
“We’re trying to be as challenging that we can each and every Sunday,” McDaniel said. “I think it’s playing that way, being able to do simulated pressures specifically. You can have blitzes and coverage that overlap. You can have technique that overlaps which means you can be better at what you do while being more multiple. So I think with that focus, the coaches have communicated the whole vision to the players in a very good manner because I can see by how they execute their jobs that they understand it and really how they strain shows me they believe in it.”
MIAMI GARDENS – Former Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was not a fan of the blitz.
It is safe to assume the Dolphins will blitz more under new play-caller Anthony Weaver.
But when does Weaver blitz? And how many players does he blitz? And from where does he blitz?
At training camp, Dolphins players are intrigued by Weaver’s multiplicity and complexities.
To put it bluntly, they think Weaver’s about to confuse the heck out of opposing offenses.
“The style of defense is really built off of being able to blitz in different ways – a lot of stimulated pressures and full out pressures,” veteran Calais Campbell said. “Making it look like you’re blitzing but you’re really not, you’re only rushing four. But from an offensive mindset, it’s a blitz because you’ve got a lot of guys dropping, a lot of d-linemen drop. I’ve almost caught a couple picks in this defense, I’ve dropped a few, but batted balls, I’ll take a PBU. This defense is unique in a since that anybody can do anything at any given time.”
Miami Dolphins defense under Anthony Weaver to bring pressures
In some ways, it feels like the 2024 Dolphins defense – emphasis on toughness, aggression and dictating terms – may bring back some of the Brian Flores-Josh Boyer elements of recent past.
Cornerback Kendall Fuller said: “Dictate to the offense and give them different looks and different disguises.”
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey said: “The scheme is completely different. The scheme is different, the way (Weaver) wants to call plays is going to be very different.”
In an ideal world, Jaelan Phillips (Achilles) and Bradley Chubb (knee) return sooner-than-later and create pressures without overloaded blitzes.
In an ideal world, rookies Chop Robinson and Mo Kamara and veterans Emmanuel Ogbah and Zach Sieler create enough pressure to help Weaver limit his blitz percentages.
What did Weaver say about all after he was hired?
“Blitzing is truly – it’s got to be calculated and not reckless,'” he said. “I’ve been around both guys. I’ve been around guys that just call it and let’s see what happens. Let’s throw flies in the windshield and see what sticks. Then I’ve been around guys that have been more calculated in that, and I believe you have to be calculated and not reckless in blitzing. Because when you do blitz, you’re obviously leaving your under coverage and secondary vulnerable. So whenever we do blitz, it’ll be with intent.”
Miami Dolphins would love to simulate aggression, toughness of Ravens
Dolphins linebacker Anthony Walker saw the Ravens defense up close as a member of the Browns the last three seasons. He’s excited about how Baltimore approached their attack.
“Very aggressive, very downhill,” Walker said. “Obviously playing against them the last three years, trying to go against that defense was almost impossible at times. But again, just the linebacker play is downhill, physical football. Then being able to protect the second level, the middle of the field.”
Jun 4, 2024; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver talks to cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) during mandatory minicamp at Baptist Health Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel likes what he’s seeing from Weaver’s pressure packages.
“We’re trying to be as challenging that we can each and every Sunday,” McDaniel said. “I think it’s playing that way, being able to do simulated pressures specifically. You can have blitzes and coverage that overlap. You can have technique that overlaps which means you can be better at what you do while being more multiple. So I think with that focus, the coaches have communicated the whole vision to the players in a very good manner because I can see by how they execute their jobs that they understand it and really how they strain shows me they believe in it.”